Group photo of delegates from the Frontiers event in Nairobi, Kenya
Despite the formidable challenges facing global healthcare, ranging from infectious diseases and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases to the urgent need for climate-resilient healthcare systems, there are significant opportunities for transforming healthcare systems through innovation, increased funding, and strategic partnerships.
As a global family, we will realise the benefits of these opportunities by working together and collaborating across different fields of expertise, including healthcare, technology, policy, investment, and the communities within which we live.
In February, we had the privilege of co-chairing the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Frontiers symposium in partnership with Strathmore University and Jaza Rift in Nairobi, Kenya. This year’s symposium brought together more than 70 participants from diverse sectors across 25 countries. Discussions at the symposium transcended conventional talk on healthcare innovation. They focused not just on identifying challenges, but on collaboratively developing strategies to scale impactful healthcare solutions across diverse regions.
A few key takeaways stood out for us from the engaging discussions we had over the three days at the symposium in Nairobi.
Innovate with a needs-based approach
Healthcare innovation is not just about cutting-edge technology – it’s about adapting those technologies to meet local needs and aligning them with government priorities and public health systems.
During his presentation at the symposium, Dr. Josea Rono from E&K Consulting firm in Nairobi encouraged innovators to change the narrative and turn the process of innovation on its head. He advised innovators to engage stakeholders, especially the government, before embarking on innovations that will impact public health. Understanding government priorities and tailoring innovations to meet these needs can save time and resources and increase the likelihood of regulatory approval and funding support.
Session co-chair Rami Mhanna, a biomedical engineering expert from the American University in Beirut (AUB), takes this approach. Based in proximity to conflict-affected areas, especially Iraq and Afghanistan, Rami is working on an innovation that seeks to better manage bone injuries in conflict zones. His research aims to develop more effective bone repair solutions, focusing on hydrogel and bioactive glass-based scaffolds for bone healing. But for this to be effective, it will have to be decentralised, portable, and use locally available materials.
Beyond conflict zones, regions facing infrastructure challenges - such as limited connectivity, a shortage of healthcare professionals due to migration, evolving regulatory environments, and restricted government funding - could greatly benefit from AI-driven healthcare innovations. These solutions can be easily adapted to local needs, potentially transforming healthcare delivery even in the most remote areas.
Understand the end-user and their context
Before designing or scaling innovations, innovators must understand the life and challenges of intended end-users. Innovations will only be effective if they make the life of end-users easier and align with or respect their existing belief systems.
Solutions must be human-centric and adaptable to the socio-economic, cultural, and regulatory contexts of different regions. Adapting innovations to use locally available materials makes them more sustainable and easily understood and accepted by the local communities using them. Cultural integration and sensitivity are also crucial to ensure innovations are adapted effectively to local contexts.
Incorporating local knowledge, insights, and cultural sensitivities in innovations is fundamental in scaling up and reaching new markets. Local knowledge is also essential to navigate complex regulatory environments, including varied compliance frameworks and licensing requirements.
Start simple, scale gradually
When starting the innovation journey, there is often a temptation to over-innovate. In many instances, though, less is more. Our speakers at the symposium stressed the fact that an innovation does not necessarily have to be novel but can indeed be one that improves an existing product, service, or idea. The secret to success is to start small, understand early in the process the unit economics and profitability, understand the local policy and regulations at play, and then scale gradually.
Focusing on product development and business structures, and scaling up once systems are in place, is a far more effective business strategy than trying to do too much before you have understood the landscape and built the foundations.
In her keynote speech on the last day of the symposium, Dr. Evelyn Gitau from the Science for Africa Foundation shared an example of a programme the organisation had funded in Zimbabwe: The Friendship Bench project. The simple yet powerful mental health intervention, staffed by trained “grandmothers,” has provided over 350,000 mental health consultations to the community. The concept is simple, but it reaffirms that impactful innovation does not have to be complex—it only needs to be effective, relatable, and scalable.
Collaboration and interdisciplinarity are key
Collaboration was a central theme throughout the symposium. Participants were provided with numerous opportunities to build networks and partnerships that would enrich their work, offer valuable expertise, and enable the exchange of knowledge and best practices with others from around the world.
A highlight of this event was also the talk from the World Health Organisation (WHO), during the United Nations Nairobi visit, which provided valuable insights into their work in Kenya. Genna Print, Communications Officer at WHO discussed the partnership with organisations such as the Ministry of Health, the Red Cross, and Amref to strengthen the healthcare system. This collaboration highlights the importance of aligning healthcare innovations with both local needs and government priorities - a theme that echoed throughout the symposium. WHO’s efforts, including emergency response initiatives and the push for universal health coverage, show how global partnerships can drive meaningful change in healthcare.
An opportunity to incorporate lessons learnt
This symposium created a great starting point for collaboration among the participants. We hope that they will consider and incorporate lessons learned in their upcoming projects awarded as part of the seed funding scheme: keep it simple, adapt local knowledge and expertise, and consider and address the needs and end-users before embarking on innovating. To learn more, see the projects that have been awarded seed funding from this symposium.
To wrap up, innovation must start with understanding the needs of communities, be simple in execution, and remain rooted in local solutions that create impact over time.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the success of this Frontiers Symposium, especially the Royal Academy of Engineering, Strathmore University, and Jaza Rift, and to all the participants who contributed their expertise, passion, and vision. To learn more, read the full report on the symposium’s key takeaways and insights.