WHS Regional Meeting Nairobi 2026

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Speakers

Dr. Edwin Ogara

Organization: Country Office, Essential Drugs and Medicines Officer, World Health Organisation
Session Topic: Regional Supply Chain Resilience: African Manufacturing and Distribution Hubs.

Dr. Edwin Kojo Ogara is a pharmacist and global health...

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Dr. Folake Olayinka

Organization: Director of Immunization at the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
Session Topic: Accelerating Vaccine Sovereignty in Africa for Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems and Security

Dr. Folake Olayinka is a prominent global health leader, strategist...

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Dr Judith Kose Otieno

Organization: Regional Program Lead Africa CDC
Session Topic: Financing Community Preparedness and Harmonising Regulatory Frameworks for Medical Countermeasures

Dr. Judith Kose Otieno is the Regional Programme Lead at...

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Dr. Tatenda Makanga

Organization: University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Session Topic: Harnessing Technology, Digital Health, EHR, Data Science and Innovation for Climate-Health Data, Early Warning and Resilient Service Delivery

An applied geo-spatial data scientist with a primary interest on...

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Dr. Alice Viana

Organization: Scientific Director, Oncidium Foundation
Session Topic: Establishing Radioligand Therapy for Advanced Cancer Care in the Region

Dr. Alice Viana is a scientist and leader in radiotheranostics,...

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Dr. Sokhnia Thiam

Organization: Associate Research Scientist APHRC’s West Africa Regional Office
Session Topic: Climate-Resilient and Green Health Infrastructure: Innovation, Financing Models, Air Pollution, Waste Management and Sustainable Cities

Dr Sokhna Thiam, an Environmental Epidemiologist with a background in...

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Dr. Osama Ali Maher

Organization: A/Regional Adviser - Climate Change, Health & Environment
Session Topic: Governing PolyCrisis: Integrating Preparedness into National Health Strategies to Advance Resilience at the Climate-Conflict-Health Nexus

Dr. Osama Ali Maher is Acting Regional Adviser for Climate...

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Dr Mary Stephen

Organization: Public Health Expert at World Health Organization
Session Topic: International Health Regulations and Public Health Orders: Aligning Legal Frameworks with Africa’s Preparedness Priorities

Dr Mary Stephen is a seasoned global health leader and...

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Dr Luchuo Engelbert Bain

Organization: APHRC
Session Topic: Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Addressing the Triple Threat of HIV/STIs, Early Pregnancy, and Violence.

Luchuo Engelbert Bain is a global health strategist, empirical bioethicist,...

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Dr Neema Kaseje

Organization: Humanitarian Surgeon and Health Leader, Médecins Sans Frontières
Session Topic: Women and children in conflict and fragile settings.

Dr Neema Kaseje is an internationally recognized humanitarian surgeon, health...

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Mr Chipo Chimwanda

Organization: UNFPA, SA
Session Topic: Quality of care for women, children and adolescents (integration of critical components – mental health).

Chipo Tawanda Chimwanda is UNFPA Women X Collective Hub Management...

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Dr Nafissa Osman

Organization: Head of Academic Department, University Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique
Session Topic: Maternal, Perinatal, and Neonatal Health: Leadership and Innovation to Reduce Mortality and Morbidity.

Nafissa M. R. Bique Osman, qualified as a medical doctor...

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Dr Marilena Urso

Organization: Global Fund
Session Topic: Quality of care for women, children and adolescents (integration of critical components – mental health.

I am an obstetrician‑gynecologist and PhD candidate in Global Health...

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Prof. Peninah Murage

Organization: Co-Director, Centre on Climate Change & Planetary Health, LSHTM sibusisiwe.makhanya@ibm.com.
Session Topic: Integrated Planetary Health Solutions to Safeguard Health

I am an environmental epidemiologist with a PhD in Health...

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Dr. Mary Bitta

Organization: Brain and Mind Insitute, Aga Khan University
Session Topic: Breaking Barriers: Tackling Stigma through Multisectoral and Integrated Approaches

Dr Mary Bitta is an implementation scientist at Aga Khan...

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Prof. Taiwo Lateef Sheikh

Organization: Lifeline International, Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
Session Topic: Community-Driven and Mental Health Innovations

Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh is a distinguished Professor of Psychiatry...

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Dr. Frank Njenga

Organization: Chiromo Hospital Group
Session Topic: Trauma, Displacement, and Crisis Response: African Lessons for Global Mental Health

Dr. Frank Njenga is an Honorary Professor of Psychiatry and...

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Ms. Felister Mayala Bwana

Organization: Founder & CEO, NAFEA Consulting
Session Topic: Gender-Responsive and Inclusive  Health Systems: Innovative Approaches, Equity Monitoring, and  Digital Tools and Women in Technology/ Gender Equity

Felister Mayala Bwana is a Senior Public Health and SRHR...

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Dr Mary Nyangasi

Organization: Technical Lead, WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative, WHO, Geneva
Session Topic: Women’s Health, Global Wealth, Advancing Women’s Health Across the Lifespan, Cancer Early Detection & Prevention

Dr. Mary Nyangasi serves as the Technical Lead for the...

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Dr Malachi Ochieng Arunda

Organization: The Karolinska Institute, Kenya
Session Topic: Women, Child Health, Environment and Climate.

Malachi Arunda is a postdoctoral researcher at the e department...

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Dr Adelard Kakunze

Organization: Africa CDC
Session Topic: Integrating Mental Health into Primary Health Care to achieve  Universal Health Coverage

Dr Kakunze holds a Medical Doctor degree from the University...

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Dr Amit Thakker

Organization: Africa Health Business
Session Topic: Public-Private Innovation Ecosystems  Driving Health Tech in Africa

Dr. Amit N. Thakker is a visionary leader and transformative...

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Prof Owuor Olungah

Organization: University of Nairobi
Session Topic: Culture and Health at the Crossroads: Meanings, Practices, and Power

Prof. Owuor Olungah is a professor of Anthropology at the...

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Dr. Scott Ratzan

Organization: Nature Commission
Session Topic: Trust in Science: Countering Misinformation in the Age of Digital Health

Scott C. Ratzan MD, MPA has three decades of pioneering...

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Prof. Toyin Togun

Organization: Co-Director LSHTM TB Centre London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases & MRC Unit The Gambia at the LSHTM Vaccines & Immunity Theme
Session Topic: Ethical and Governance Frameworks for Digital Health and Data Sharing

Toyin Togun is a Professor of Global Health at the...

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Dr Palwende Romuald Boua

Organization: Joint Lead Human Genetic Epidemiologist, Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN)/IRSS, Burkina Faso and MRC Unit The Gambia)
Session Topic: Nutrition throughout the life course.

He is a Joint Assistant Professor/Lead Human Genetic Epidemiologist at...

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Prof Mayowa Owolabi

Organization: University of Ibadan
Session Topic: Integrating NCD and Infectious Disease Care at the PHC Level

Mayowa Owolabi is director, Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine,...

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Mr. Ikechukwu Anoke

Organization: CEO Zuri Health
Session Topic: Delivering People-Centred, Community-Led Primary Healthcare to Underserved Population

Ikechukwu Arthur Anoke is an award winning transformational leader in...

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Prof Omer Mohamed

Organization: Tima-Ade University
Session Topic: Closing the Gender Gap in Health  Workforce Leadership

I hold Master of Science Reproductive Heath from Mekelle University,...

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Dr Charles Akataobi Michael

Organization: Africa CDC , Eastern Africa RCC
Session Topic: Cost-Effective Approaches to Climate-Sensitive Diseases, Mental Health and Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa

Dr. Michael is an epidemiologist and public health leader with...

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Prof. Rudolf Abugnaba-Abanga

Organization: University of Business and Integrated Development Studies
Session Topic: Integrating Policy, Systems and Intersectoral Approaches for Climate-Health Action, Clean Energy and Transport Co-Benefits

Dr Rudolf Abugnaba Abanga (PhD) is a climate change and...

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 Dr. Phelly Chelsea

Organization: Ministry of Health, Kenya
Session Topic: Mobile Health (mHealth) Solutions  for Community Outreach and Health  Equity

Dr. Phelly Chelsea is a dedicated medical professional with a...

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Prof. Stefan Swartling Peterson

Organization: Makerere University, Uganda
Session Topic: 3 million Community Health Workers - how to empower them for effective and equitable UHC?

Stefan Swartling Peterson is a public health physician and professor...

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Dr Micah Matiangi

Organization: Director ODeL, Amref International Unversity
Session Topic: Transforming Health Professionals’ Education to meet increasing Pan African health ecosystem needs and population health needs

Dr Micah Matiang’i  is currently  the Director of Online Blended...

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Dr Naeem Dalal

Organization: Zambia NPHI
Session Topic: Youth and Adolescent Mental Health: Building Psychosocial Resilience and Leadership

Dr. Naeem Dalal is a distinguished Psychiatrist and Public Health...

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Dr. Jeremie Zoungrana,

Organization: Country Director JHPIEGO
Session Topic: Equitable Financing Models for  Gender and Youth Health Priorities

Dr. Jérémie Zoungrana serves as the Jhpiego Senior Director for...

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Ms Prudence Masako,

Organization: Country Director, Care International
Session Topic: Intersection of Climate Change,  Gender, and Youth Health Outcomes

Prudence Matern Masako is Country Director for CARE Tanzania and...

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Ms. Ann Waithaka

Organization: APHRC
Session Topic: Confronting Gender-Based Violence  and Building Accountability for  Equitable Service Delivery

Ann is a Development Communications Specialist, working at the  intersection...

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Prof. Justice Nonvignon

Organization: University of Ghana School of Public Health
Session Topic: Beyond Rhetoric and Targets: Re-Negotiating Africa’s Position in Global Health Financing

Dr. Justice Nonvignon, MSH’s Technical Director for Health Economics and...

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Dr. Kumanan Rasanathan

Organization: Executive Director, Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research
Session Topic: Managing Health Financing Cliffs: the value of Health Policy and Systems Research

Dr Rasanathan is the Executive Director of the Alliance for...

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Dr. Aggrey Mokaya

Organization:
Session Topic: Strengthening Mental Health Access through Digital Health, AI and Information Systems

Aggrey Gisiora Mokaya, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow with the...

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Dr. Sam Wambugu

Organization: Chair, Global Digital Health Network
Session Topic: Digital Health Records and Information Systems for Pandemic  Preparedness and Response

Dr. Samuel (Sam) Wambugu is a global health informatics and...

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Dr. Julietha Tibyesiga

Organization: Ministry of Health, Tanzania
Session Topic: Youth Leadership in Health  Governance

Dr. Tibyesiga is a dedicated public health professional with over...

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Dr. Andrew Likaka

Organization: Director, Quality Management Directorate, Ministry of Health (Malawi)
Session Topic: Digital Innovation for Health Workforce Capacity Building

Dr. Andrew Likaka is a distinguished medical doctor, public health...

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 Dr. Abayomi Agbeyangi

Organization: Walter Sisulu University (South Africa)
Session Topic: Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring  for Hard-to-Reach Settings

Dr Abayomi Agbeyangi is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Walter...

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Dr Susan Wamithi

Organization: Aga Khan University
Session Topic: Child health development and disabilities.

Dr. Susan Wamithi is a Consultant Developmental Paediatrician and Assistant...

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Dr Khadija Owusu

Organization: AKAYA Foundation
Session Topic: Social Accountability Mechanisms:  Citizen Voices Driving Health  Reforms

Dr Khadija Owusu is an award-winning medical doctor and an...

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Ms. Faith Muigai

Organization: International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Session Topic: Financing and Scaling Competency-Based Health Workforce Programs to Strengthen Quality and Safety in Care Delivery

Faith Muigai’s professional background stems over 20 years of global...

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Dr. Winnie Wangari

Organization: Villgro Africa
Session Topic: Harnessing Big Data for Policy,  Financing, and Public Health  Decision-Making

Winnie Wangari Kibiru is a MedTech innovation leader and systems...

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Dr. Caroline Kisia

Organization: Project ECHO Africa, University of New Mexico
Session Topic: Scaling Affordable Digital Health  Platforms for Primary Care Access

Dr Caroline Kisia is the Africa Director of Project ECHO...

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Dr. Martin Muchangi

Organization: AMREF International University
Session Topic: Protecting Vulnerable Populations through Community Engagement, Locally Led Climate Action and Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Martin Muchangi is a globally recognized public health and...

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