An overview of the LREB health innovation fair.

LREB innovation Fair, Maseno University.

The Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) in partnership with Insight Health Advisors (IHA) and Maseno University hosted the second health innovation fair on the 28th of May 2025 at Maseno University Siriba Campus. This landmark event, themed “Improving and Saving Lives through Scalable Health Innovations.” Aimed to support identification and selection of transformative health innovations aligned with the LREB Counties Health priority needs. These health needs (demands) were identified through an intense and consultative process by cohort members who represented the LREB 14 counties during the stage one (demand articulation) of the Mountain Model (MM), a Framework for Public Sector scaling of health innovations. The phase two of this framework is being implemented in the LREB- following successful implementation in Makueni and Kajiado counties.

The innovation fair was the culmination of stage two of the MM whose main objective was to scan and identify existing innovations that meet the identified health needs of LREB region. The innovation fair drew participation from across the country as well as international innovators. Innovators in attendance were Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation, Neopenda, Reach Digital Health, Thalia Psychotherapy, Helium Health, Fetosense by CareNX, Centre for Public Health Development, Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Aurora Health Systems, TIP Global Health and HealthX Africa.

The event marked an important milestone under the Public Sector Scaling (PSS) of Health Innovations Project, which seeks to not only promote the adoption and scaling of high-impact, demand-driven health innovations within county governments to improve service delivery at all levels but also aims to strengthen county health systems. 

Speaking at the event, LREB CEO Mr. Victor Nyagaya emphasized the bloc’s role in driving public health transformation through innovation. “As a bloc, we can help in controlling diseases across counties by scaling up impactful health innovations,” said Mr. Nyagaya. He also mentioned the importance of innovation in changing things in an effective manner.

 He applauded the LREB Secretariat for their role in coordinating the Health Innovation Fair and the broader health pillar, noting the importance of integration, financing, and regulatory mechanisms to ensure the success of health innovations.

 The CEO of Insight Health Advisors Dr. Nelson Gitonga said that important steps need to be made to transform our healthcare systems through adoption and scaling of impactful innovations within the public sector.

The fair concluded with Ambulensi, Mapema AI, Neopenda, Health X, Reach digital and Thalia Psychotherapy emerging as the top 6 innovators.

The program manager for Ambulensi, Lillian Waihuini hopes that the counties can take up the innovations presented during the fair. She went on to say that through the innovation fair, interest from the counties has been expressed and is hopeful that the innovations chosen will benefit the entire region. She applauded the transparent process through which the fair was conducted. 

The Deputy CEO of Homabay County Teaching and Referral Dr. Ephraim Olouch, said that innovation is very vital and critical in the Lake region because there are many challenges being faced. There is a heavy burden of maternal mortalities, high rates of newborn deaths, and a lack of data to capture the state of facilities in the region. The innovations presented in the fair were very beneficial to the region, and maternal and newborn health was well covered.  He hoped for positive change in these important areas.

In attendance was the County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation, Kisumu, Dr. Gregory Ganda, representing the Governor of Kisumu County, H.E. Prof Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, and the Chairman of LREB. Dr Gregory Ganda noted that the overall goal for the innovation fair is to strengthen the capacity and performance of the public health care-driven system in the lake region for better health outcomes and save lives. He went on to say that it’s high time that we embraced private partnerships in innovation and that it’s important we realize that the government funds can not solve all our problems and that with efficiency, finances and capital from private sector can help the healthcare system in the counties Such partnerships have been modeled by several countries; improving their healthcare.

Others in attendance included County Directors for Health, Chief Officers, LREB CEO and his leadership team, medical and digital health experts, and other relevant stakeholders. The LREB Innovation Cohort members from all 14 counties were the main innovation assessors, supported by selected experts.

The innovations that were selected have the potential to improve health outcomes in the region efficiently; it is expected that their scale-up will have sustainable positive health outcomes in the LREB.