Innovations for Health: “Hype vs Impact”

Kenya has a burgeoning technology sector and is regarded as the epicentre of technology in Africa, supported by a vibrant and dense ecosystem of innovation labs, developed infrastructure and a robust tech. community, especially in Nairobi. 

The health sector including the beneficiaries such as citizens and healthcare practitioners do not yet fully absorb the benefits from Kenya’s Silicon Savannah, which remains largely disconnected from the tech sector. Marred by limited resources, poor to no infrastructure and inadequate financing, the health sector could benefit immensely from health innovations ranging from diagnostics, telemedicine, m-health and health information to improving emergency response and pharmaceutical supply and distribution.  

Against this background and with the renewed energy from the Government of Kenya to actualize Universal Health Coverage, there is increased pressure to identify viable, concrete and sustainable means to improve healthcare outcomes for all. The 2nd HealthX season brought together innovators, academics, funders, investors and businesses with the objective of dissecting what is hype and where the impactful in innovations that focus on health.