Pharo Health
A proven diagnostic centre in Assosa, Benishangul-Gumuz, bringing world-class laboratory testing to a region that had none, and raising the standard of care for everyone around it. A planned health expansion based on the success of our diagnostic centre is underway.
Pharo Health.
Diagnosis is where good treatment starts.
Pharo Diagnostic and Clinical Services (PDCS) began in Assosa, Benishangul-Gumuz, bringing world-class laboratory testing to a region that previously had none. It proved that a high-quality, reliable diagnostic service could thrive in one of Ethiopia’s most underserved areas.
PDCS introduced a menu of over 100 tests, more than half of which had previously been available only in Addis Ababa, and cut turnaround from over 30 days to as little as two hours. Adding in-house consultations meant patients could be seen and tested in a single visit, which tripled both patient volumes and revenue.
Over three years the Assosa centre served 31,029 patients and ran 178,576 tests. Its presence raised the standard of care for the whole region, drawing private clinics in behind it, so that Benishangul-Gumuz now has more and better providers than before PDCS arrived.
The complete success of this initiative has led us to further expand our Pharo Health venture, investing in high-quality diagnostic equipment, including MRI, CT, and advanced X-ray technology.
In Benishangul-Gumuz, reliable diagnosis meant a journey to a distant city.
Before PDCS, patients in Assosa and across Benishangul-Gumuz had no access to advanced laboratory testing. More than half the tests they needed were available only in Addis Ababa, hundreds of kilometres away.
That distance delayed diagnosis and treatment, turnaround on results could run beyond 30 days, and the cost and time of travelling led many people to go without testing altogether.
Our response
Build and run a world-class diagnostic centre in Assosa, then add consultations so patients could be diagnosed and cared for in one place.
A full test menu
Over 100 tests offered locally, more than half previously available only in Addis, cutting turnaround from 30 days to as little as two hours.
Consultations on site
In-house GPs and specialists meant patients could be seen and tested in a single visit, which tripled both patient volumes and revenue.
Raising the whole region
A reliable, high-quality service drew private clinics in behind it, deepening care across Benishangul-Gumuz.
Our impact
2025 figures, reported in the annual report.
What we learnt
We open markets, not just fill gaps.
PDCS not only served patients but drew private clinics in behind it; Benishangul-Gumuz now has more and better providers than before we arrived.
Consultations are the engine.
Adding in-house consultations tripled patient volumes and revenue, showing that diagnosis and care work best together.
Quality and speed build trust.
Cutting turnaround from 30 days to two hours changed health-seeking behaviour; a reliable, fast service is what persuades patients to use it.
Head-office expertise travels.
Pairing the local team with dedicated health-sector expertise from our head office gave the centre the clinical and operational depth to run a world-class service in a remote region.
Partner on health in underserved regions.
Partnership, co-funding and operator enquiries start here.