MARKET TRENDS: From Reactive To Proactive Healthcare
EXPERTS CORNER:
Private Hospitals Struggle In Mature Markets
COMPANY FEATURE: LIONS SIGHTFIRST EYE HOSPITAL
Beyond eye care: How Lion SightFirst Eye Hospital incorporate other departments for holistic healthcare
START-UP FEATURE: KILELE BRACELETS
Kilele Health Bracelets: The smart wearable that could save millions in Africa
DISEASE FOCUS: CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS
The Silent Tormentor: Living with Chikungunya’s Lingering Pain in Africa
MARKET TRENDS: FROM REACTIVE TO PROACTIVE HEALTHCARE
The Future of Healthcare From Reactive Toward Predictive and Proactive The End of “Sick Care”
CORNER: PRIVATE HOSPITAL
Private hospitals: The challenges of remaining viable in
TOPICAL FOCUS: URBAN PLANNING VS. HEALTHCARE
Urban Form, Health Outcomes: Why African Cities Must Be Designed for Wellbeing
INGREDIENTS FOCUS: EXCIPIENTS TABLETS
Excipients in tablet medicine: The silent pillars of drug formulation
EDITOR’S PICK: AI & GENOMICS IN DIAGNOSTICS
Faster, Smarter, Healthier: How AI and Genomics Are Transforming Healthcare in the Middle East and Africa
COUNTRY FOCUS: INDIA’S PHARMA SECTOR
India’s pharmaceutical industry: From the world’s pharmacy to a global powerhouse in the making
The Connection Between Pharma Manufacturing And Healthcare Delivery
It is with great pride that we present Issue 16 of Healthcare Middle East & Africa, an edition that underscores the vital link between pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare delivery in our region. At its heart, this issue explores how innovation in drug production is shaping the quality, accessibility, and resilience of healthcare systems across the Middle East and Africa.
What makes this edition even more special is the debut of our new insert—Pharma Manufacturing MEA. This dedicated section offers a deep dive into the pharmaceutical production landscape, highlighting the strategies, technologies, and partnerships driving transformation.
From capacity expansion and regulatory harmonization to supply chain resilience and sustainable practices, Pharma Manufacturing MEA shines a light on how manufacturers are responding to the evolving needs of patients, policymakers, and healthcare providers.
The connection between manufacturing and delivery has never been clearer. The pandemic demonstrated that medicines are only as effective as the systems that produce and distribute them. A shortage of essential drugs can cripple even the best-equipped hospitals, while efficient, locally based manufacturing ensures continuity of care, reduces costs, and saves lives.
This issue also continues our coverage of Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital, a story we first introduced in Issue 14. Beyond its renowned expertise in eye care, the hospital has grown into a holistic facility offering comprehensive services across dental, diabetes, ENT, and wound care departments.
In our Start-Up Corner, we profile Kilele Health Bracelets, a smart wearable device designed to monitor vital signs in real time and transmit results to doctors for timely, efficient care. We also highlight how thoughtful urban planning, with quality air and adequate spacing in mind, can reduce the risk of respiratory diseases in African cities.
Within Pharma Manufacturing MEA, readers will find an in-depth article on the role of excipients in tablet formulation, a feature on India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, a ranking of the top 10 Indian pharma manufacturers, and an exploration of how genomics and AI are redefining medical diagnosis and biosurveillance.
We invite you to immerse yourself in the insights, interviews, and analyses presented in this edition. Whether you are a healthcare provider, policymaker, investor, or researcher, Issue 16 offers perspectives designed to inspire dialogue and action.
Thank you, our readers and partners, for walking this journey with us. Your continued engagement fuels our commitment to telling the stories that matter most in shaping the future of healthcare in the Middle East and Africa.
Enjoy the read!
Alphonse Okoth Editorial Lead FW Africa
FOUNDER & PUBLISHER
Francis Juma
SENIOR EDITOR
Alphonse Okoth
EDITOR
Vincent Moranga
Victor Atsali
Fridah Chepkoech
Lydia Khasoa
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PUBLISHED BY: FW Africa
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HealthCare Africa (ISSN 2307-3535) is published 4 times a year by FW Africa. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission from the editor is prohibited. All information is published in good faith. While care is taken to prevent inaccuracies, the publishers accept no liability for any errors or omissions or for the consequences of any action taken on the basis of information published. Year 3 | Issue No. 16 | July-Sept 2025
EVENTS CALENDAR
The Hospital Show East Africa 2025
October 01 - 02, 2025
Sarit Centre, Nairobi, Kenya www.ths-africa.com
Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress
October 1 - 3, 2025
Grand Hyatt, Dubai, UAE www.amwc-dubai.com/en/home.html
Uganda Pharma & Healthcare International Expo 2026
March 26 - 28, 2026
UMA Show Grounds, Kampala, Uganda www.ugandapharmahealth.com/index
India Pharma Expo 2026
April 23 - 25, 2026
Hitex Exhibition Centre Hyderabad, India www.indiapharmaexpo.com
Pharma India Expo 2026
July 7 - 9, 2026
Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai www.pharmaindiaexpo.com
Africa Pharma Manufacturing Expo (Eastern Africa / Kenya Edition)
July 15 -1 7, 2026
Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi, Kenya www.pharma.afmass.com/east
Novartis licenses RNAi drug from Argo Biopharma in potential US$5.2B deal
DENMARK — Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis has signed a major licensing and options agreement with the China-based biotech firm Argo Biopharmaceutical, in a deal potentially worth up to US$5.2 billion.
This agreement complements another recent licensing deal between Novartis and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, valued at up to US$2.2 billion, with Novartis focusing on targeting the alpha-synuclein protein for potential treatments of Parkinson’s disease.
Argo Biopharmaceutical focuses on developing therapies using RNA interference (RNAi) technology, which works by silencing specific genes involved in diseases or neutralizing their harmful effects.
Under the new deal, Novartis gains exclusive rights to negotiate for Argo’s
promising experimental drug BW00112.
This drug, currently in mid-stage development, aims to treat severe hypertriglyceridemia—a condition characterized by very high fat levels in the blood that significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
RNAi therapies for cardiovascular diseases are gaining momentum, as demonstrated by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals’ approval of vutrisiran (marketed as Amvuttra in the U.S.) to treat transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, a rare and fatal heart condition.
Building on this progress, Argo’s drug candidates target proteins driving cardiovascular diseases, aiming to deliver deep and long-lasting effects.
As part of the agreement covering
sales outside China, Argo will receive an upfront payment of US$160 million from Novartis.
Additionally, Argo stands to earn up to US$5.2 billion through milestone payments and royalties from future product sales.
The agreement also grants Novartis options to license two other Argo drug candidates still in discovery: one for severe hypertriglyceridemia and another for mixed dyslipidemia.
Moreover, Novartis may acquire an additional RNA-based molecule expected to enter clinical trials next year.
Novartis has also expressed a nonbinding interest in participating in Argo’s upcoming equity financing round, further solidifying the partnership.
NAFDAC warns public about unregistered Oxytocin products
NIGERIA — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria has warned the public about a counterfeit version of Gold Vision Oxytocin injection 10IU bearing a fake registration number.
This alert comes shortly after NAFDAC recalled Embacef 125 Powder for Oral Suspension due to safety concerns. NAFDAC published Alert 028/2025 on its official website to inform consumers and protect public health.
NAFDAC clarified that the counterfeit Gold Vision Oxytocin injection falsely claims to be manufactured by Anhui Hongye Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in China.
In reality, the product is distributed by Gold Vision Medicals, located in Enugu, Nigeria.
The agency discovered this unregistered product during a riskbased survey by its Post-Marketing Surveillance directorate.
Further investigations revealed three additional counterfeit injections— A-tocin, Extocin, and Claxitodin— identified in the 2023 survey.
All these fake products share the same forged NAFDAC registration number, A4-9566. NAFDAC confirmed these products are not registered and do not appear in its official database.
Oxytocin is a natural hormone widely used to induce or strengthen labor, control postpartum bleeding, and support breastfeeding.
It works by stimulating uterine contractions through increased calcium levels in muscle cells.
However, using counterfeit or
unregistered oxytocin poses serious health risks to mothers and newborns.
These products may contain incorrect dosages, no active ingredients, or harmful contaminants, potentially causing weak contractions, severe bleeding, or even maternal death.
NAFDAC has directed zonal directors and state coordinators to monitor and remove counterfeit products in their regions.
The agency also urges importers, distributors, healthcare professionals, retailers, and consumers to remain vigilant and only obtain medicines from licensed suppliers.
Verifying the authenticity and condition of medicines before use is essential to ensure safety.
DISEASE UPDATE
Africa CDC advises against lifting Mpox Emergency Status
ETHIOPIA — The Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), advising the Africa CDC Director General on mpox, has strongly recommended keeping the Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) in place.
During their September 2, 2025 meeting, the group reviewed the current mpox outbreak and concluded that lifting the emergency status now would risk losing political commitment, resources, and country vigilance.
Although confirmed cases dropped by 52% between weeks 17–22 and 27–32 of 2025, new outbreaks occurred in Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Zambia, and Tanzania.
Fresh virus introductions were also reported in Malawi, Ethiopia, Senegal, Togo, The Gambia, and Mozambique.
The situation remains serious, with infant deaths reported in Ethiopia and the Central African Republic.
Several countries, including Sierra Leone, Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, and South Africa, still report fatality rates above 1%, keeping the continental average at 0.5%.
Testing coverage has improved significantly from 30% in late 2024 to 59% by mid-2025, with Burundi’s decentralization of diagnostic services standing out.
Vaccination efforts reached 921,000 people in 12 countries, but many high-burden countries lack approval to vaccinate children under 12, despite pediatric cases.
The ECG expressed concern over reduced international support, such as the withdrawal of PEPFAR programs, which puts people living with HIV at greater risk.
To address ongoing challenges, the ECG recommends improving sample collection and transport, using community surveillance and wastewater monitoring, and expanding vaccine access for children.
They urge continued strong coordination across Africa and the integration of mpox efforts with responses to cholera and vaccine-derived polio.
The group emphasized that despite progress, the decline in cases is not stable enough to lift the emergency status, underscoring the need for ongoing collective action until mpox is controlled.
Hengrui Pharma Inks $1 Billion Heart Drug Deal with Braveheart Bio
CHINA — Hengrui Pharma has signed an exclusive licensing deal with US cardiovascular specialist Braveheart Bio for the development and global commercialization of its smallmolecule cardiac myosin inhibitor, HRS-1893.
Under this agreement, Braveheart Bio will have the rights to develop, manufacture, and market the therapy worldwide, excluding Mainland China, Macau SAR, Hong Kong SAR, and Taiwan.
As part of the deal, Braveheart Bio will pay Hengrui Pharma an initial $65 million, split equally between cash and equity.
Additionally, Hengrui expects to receive up to US$10 million soon after completing the technology transfer, bringing the total upfront payment to US$75 million.
The agreement also offers Hengrui the potential to earn up to $1.013 billion through development and commercial milestone payments, along with royalties on net sales.
HRS-1893 is currently in Phase III clinical trials in China, targeting obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—a condition marked by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle.
The drug works by selectively inhibiting the myosin adenosine triphosphatase enzyme, thereby reducing excessive heart muscle contraction.
This mechanism helps decrease left ventricular hypertrophy and improves the heart’s relaxation during diastole, which may lead to better outcomes for patients.
Frank Jiang, Hengrui’s Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President, expressed confidence that the partnership highlights the company’s global presence and diversified research pipeline.
He emphasized that this collaboration will accelerate the development of innovative cardiovascular therapies and broaden treatment options globally.
Earlier this year, positive Phase I clinical data on HRS-1893 was presented at the 2025 European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid, strengthening the drug’s clinical potential.
In other news, Hengrui completed a major out-licensing deal in May 2024 for its glucagon-like peptide-1 portfolio to Kailera Therapeutics, which could be worth up to $6 billion and included Hengrui acquiring nearly a 20% stake in the new USbased company.
Furthermore, in July 2025, Hengrui entered a significant development agreement with GlaxoSmithKline covering up to 12 medicines across immunology, respiratory, inflammation, and oncology fields.
JOOTRH upgraded to National Referral Parastatal
KENYA — The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu has been officially upgraded to a Level 6A facility and designated as a government parastatal, a status previously reserved for public universities.
This follows its promotion to Level 6 in September 2024, which enhanced its capacity to handle referrals within Kisumu and beyond.
Announced by Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga, this upgrade marks a major milestone, granting JOOTRH increased operational independence and new responsibilities.
JOOTRH now ranks among Kenya’s top referral hospitals alongside Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital.
The new status aims to attract and retain skilled health professionals, which is crucial for better clinical outcomes.
The hospital can now independently manage its structure, staff rewards, and sanctions, enabling it to improve specialized healthcare services and staff welfare.
Dr. Oluga emphasized that within five years, national referral hospitals will stop receiving tax-based funding from the National Treasury, making it vital for JOOTRH to develop sustainable revenue streams.
He encouraged the hospital to diversify income by expanding specialized services, conducting clinical research, and securing programmatic funding.
He also proposed establishing a simulation training center to enhance healthcare workers’ skills and generate income.
JOOTRH must prioritize patient safety, better follow-up care, and shift toward disease prevention through community engagement. Its new governing board will steer these changes.
Currently, the hospital earns approximately KES30 million (USD 260,000) per month and plans to increase its bed capacity to 1,000 to meet the rising demand for healthcare.
This upgrade will alleviate Kisumu County’s financial burden, which previously supported 70% of the hospital’s budget.
Recently, JOOTRH became Kenya’s first public hospital to perform an automated red blood cell exchange transfusion, in partnership with Nairobi West Hospital.
As a Level 6A parastatal under the Ministry of Health, JOOTRH now serves over 10 million people and continues training medical professionals in collaboration with academic institutions.
Teva receives FDA Approval for first generic GLP-1 weight loss drug
USA — Teva Pharmaceutical, a leading generics company, has received FDA approval for its generic version of Saxenda (liraglutide), an injectable weight loss drug initially developed by Novo Nordisk.
This marks the first time a generic glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) has been authorized for weight management in the United States.
Teva’s medication is now available for adults who are overweight or obese with weight-related health issues, as well as for obese adolescents aged 12 to 17 who weigh more than 60 kilograms.
According to Ernie Richardsen, Senior Vice President and head of US commercial generics at Teva, this
approval is the company’s fifth first-tomarket generic product launch in 2025.
The arrival of Teva’s Saxenda generic coincides with the rising popularity of GLP-1RA drugs.
Leading therapies like Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) generated impressive sales of US$11.3 billion and US$13.4 billion respectively in 2024, making them among the year’s top-selling medications.
Nonetheless, Wegovy’s superior efficacy has eclipsed Saxenda’s market presence.
Analysts from GlobalData forecast Saxenda’s sales will plummet from US$1.5 billion in 2022 to US$135 million by 2031, a 91% drop.
Furthermore, upcoming oral weight loss drugs from Lilly and Novo Nordisk could further challenge Saxenda’s market share.
Despite Saxenda’s decline, GlobalData analyst Costanza Alciati notes that generic GLP-1RAs could become more accessible and affordable, thereby addressing the high cost barrier associated with obesity treatments. Although the generic may not affect sales of more potent drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, it is expected to broaden patient access.
The GLP-1RA market is projected to reach US$125 billion by 2033 across major global markets, reflecting continued demand for effective obesity therapies.
DISINVESTMENTS
AstraZeneca Pauses US271M UK research site expansion in Cambridge
UK — AstraZeneca has paused its £200 million (US$271 million) investment in expanding its research site in Cambridge, England, a company spokesperson confirmed to Fierce Biotech.
This decision adds to a recent wave of major pharmaceutical companies scaling back or withdrawing investments in the UK.
The company regularly reviews its investment plans and decided to put the Cambridge expansion on hold but declined to provide further details.
This £200 million project was part of a larger investment package announced by AstraZeneca in March 2024, which included a total of US$882 million planned for the UK.
Of that, US$610 million was designated for vaccine research and manufacturing in Liverpool.
However, AstraZeneca abandoned the Liverpool vaccine investment earlier this year, citing reduced financial support from the UK government.
The Cambridge expansion was expected to create around 1,000 jobs and fund a new facility near AstraZeneca’s headquarters.
The halt of this project reflects a worrying trend of big pharmaceutical companies retreating from the UK.
For example, Merck recently announced its complete withdrawal of research and development operations from the UK, including the cancellation of a $1.31 billion R&D center planned for London.
Merck criticized the UK government for inadequate investment in life sciences and a failure to properly value innovation in medicines and vaccines.
Following Merck, Eli Lilly also paused its plan to open a biotech lab in the UK, citing uncertainty about government policies and conditions for life sciences.
Despite these setbacks, some companies like BioNTech continue to invest in the UK.
BioNTech confirmed that it will invest around US$1.3 billion over the next decade to build two research centers and establish a London headquarters.
Meanwhile, although AstraZeneca paused UK investments, it revealed plans to invest $50 billion in the United States by 2030, prompted in part by potential tariff threats on imported medicines from the Trump administration.
This move follows similar investment pledges by other drugmakers including Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and Roche.
RAK Hospital launches New Y-DNA Ancestry Test
UAE — RAK Hospital in the UAE has introduced a cutting-edge Y-DNA testing service, enhancing its unique Ancestry Testing options.
This innovative test, the first of its kind in the UAE, utilises advanced Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, combined with proprietary bioinformatics developed at their Ras Al Khaimah laboratory.
The Y-DNA test is offered free to those who choose the standard Ancestry Testing and requires only a simple saliva sample.
Ancestry Testing analyzes DNA to reveal family origins, ethnic background, and lineage by comparing an individual’s DNA with global populations, typically tracing five to seven generations of family history.
Unlike standard ancestry tests, the Y-DNA test focuses on the Y chromosome, which is passed solely from father to son.
This chromosome contains unique, stable mutations that allow precise tracing of paternal ancestry and migration patterns across thousands of years.
The Y-Haplogroup analysis reveals a man’s paternal lineage, pinpointing ancestral origins and historical migration routes.
Each report includes access to an interactive map showing these migrations across continents.
Dr. Hafiz Ahmad, Head of the Molecular Division at RAK Hospital, described this testing as a personal journey that deeply connects individuals to their heritage in a way never before available locally.
He noted that Haplogroup J1 (J1P58) dominates the Arabian Peninsula, appearing in 40% to 75% of populations there.
About 34% of tested UAE males carry this haplogroup, along with others
like J2, E1, and R1, reflecting the UAE’s diverse history as a cultural and trade crossroads.
The Y-DNA test also establishes familial relationships among male relatives, such as father-son or brothers, and estimates the generations since their common ancestor.
Combined with Ancestry Testing, it offers a complete view of both paternal and overall lineage.
Customers can order a saliva kit online, provide a sample at home, and arrange free pickup anywhere in the UAE.
Results arrive within four to six weeks via email or the hospital’s mobile app, along with free Friday consultations to help interpret findings.
This combined Ancestry and Y-DNA test is available for AED 1,499 (USD 408), offering residents an accessible way to explore their genetic heritage using world-class technology.
Dis-Chem opens 300th stores, driving integrated healthcare expansion in South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA — Dis-Chem has marked a major milestone in its growth journey by opening its 300th store at The Square in Mbombela, underscoring its rapid expansion and evolution into an integrated healthcare provider.
The retailer now operates 14 stores in Mpumalanga province, with nationwide expansion guided by a data-driven site selection process.
This approach allows Dis-Chem to identify high-potential areas and optimize store size, ensuring accessibility and efficiency.
CEO Rui Morais highlighted the significance of the achievement by reflecting on the company’s trajectory since its 2016 stock exchange listing, when it operated 101 outlets.
“At the time, we committed to doubling our store count within eight years, today we stand at 300, having far surpassed that goal,” he said.
In the past 18 months alone, nearly 40 new stores have been opened, a pace expected to continue with several locations already in the pipeline.
The expansion goes beyond retail growth. Dis-Chem’s strategy is rooted in creating a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem that integrates pharmacies, in-store health clinics, retail offerings, and financial services.
This model is designed to make affordable, high-quality primary healthcare more accessible across South Africa.
A key part of this ecosystem is Dis-Chem’s growing financial services portfolio. Following the launch of medical insurance and gap cover in 2022, the company introduced life insurance earlier this year.
These products are supported by in-store financial advisors, currently available in 34 outlets, with plans to expand to 180 by February 2026.
Morais affirmed that the milestone reflects Dis-Chem’s mission to close healthcare gaps by delivering holistic, affordable solutions.
“We remain committed to expanding our footprint and integrated healthcare services, helping more South Africans live healthier, more secure lives,” he said.
Ghana to welcome Mercy Ships’ Global Mercy in 2026
GHANA — The Government of Ghana and the international charity Mercy Ships have reinforced their partnership by announcing that the Global Mercy™ hospital ship will visit Ghana in August 2026.
Docking at the Port of Tema, the ship will offer free specialized surgeries and provide training for healthcare professionals, supporting Ghana’s goal to improve safe surgical care nationwide.
This visit marks Mercy Ships’ fifth mission to Ghana since 1991, highlighting over 30 years of collaboration.
During this time, the organization has performed more than 2,600 surgeries, completed 16,700 dental procedures, and trained 139 healthcare workers, significantly contributing to the country’s medical services.
The renewed partnership followed a meeting between President John Dramani Mahama and Mercy Ships’ Board members.
President Mahama stressed that health is essential to freedom and dignity, calling it “the greatest public good.”
He welcomed the return of Mercy Ships, which will continue to advance healthcare in Ghana.
During the 2026 mission, patients from across Ghana will receive free surgeries, including tumor removals, cleft lip and palate repairs, pediatric orthopedic procedures, cataract treatments, reconstructive plastic surgeries, obstetric fistula repairs, and other general and pediatric operations.
To manage this, a nationwide registration will identify and schedule eligible patients.
Gary Brown, Chair of the Mercy Ships Board and Interim CEO, expressed pride in returning to Ghana.
He emphasized the long-standing partnership with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders and looked forward to delivering life-changing surgeries and expanding local surgical training programs.
These efforts aim to build sustainable healthcare capacity in Ghana.
Moreover, Mercy Ships actively supports Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP) by working closely with the government and national partners.
The Global Mercy’s visit will strengthen this collaboration, focusing on education, training, and health system development to achieve lasting improvements in surgical care across the country.
Nigeria to partner with China to produce insulin locally
NIGERIA — Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology has signed a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company Ltd. of China to establish the country’s first local insulin production facility.
Announced in Abuja by Dr. Robert Ngwu, Senior Special Adviser to the Minister, this agreement marks a major milestone for Nigeria and the entire African continent.
The deal, signed by Chief Geoffrey Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, on behalf of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), enables Nigeria to produce insulin domestically to meet both national and regional demands.
Until now, Nigerians with diabetes have relied entirely on imported insulin, which often comes with high costs and limited availability.
This new facility will reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign suppliers, lowering insulin prices and improving access for millions of Nigerians.
Furthermore, it strengthens health security by protecting the supply chain from international disruptions and price fluctuations.
The project will also create skilled jobs in biotechnology and enhance research capabilities for Nigerian scientists.
By pioneering insulin production in Africa, Nigeria positions itself as a leader in medical biotechnology, supporting the continent’s broader health needs.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Nnaji highlighted this initiative as a hopeful step forward for families affected by diabetes, calling it ‘a bold move towards a healthier, more innovative Nigeria.’
This project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes healthcare advancement, industrial growth, and self-reliance.
It also symbolizes the strong partnership between Nigeria and China, showcasing how international cooperation can deliver tangible, life-changing benefits.
Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company Ltd., a multinational leader in biotechnology and healthcare innovation, brings extensive experience in global collaborations.
Together, they aim to transform insulin accessibility and affordability across Nigeria and Africa. PARTNERSHIP
Eli Lilly invests US$5 Billion in Virginia, USA
USA — Eli Lilly has announced plans to invest US$5 billion in a new manufacturing facility in Goochland County, Virginia, to boost production of targeted cancer drugs and other treatments.
This plant is the first of four new U.S. facilities the company intends to build, with total investments exceeding US$27 billion.
These investments add to the $23 billion Eli Lilly has spent on expanding domestic manufacturing since 2020.
The company will reveal the locations of the remaining three plants later this year and expects all four to be operational within five years.
This initiative aligns with a broader industry trend to increase drug production in the U.S., driven partly by government pressure and tariffs on imports introduced during the Trump administration to encourage reshoring.
The Virginia facility will focus on producing active pharmaceutical ingredients for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other advanced therapies.
Importantly, it will be Eli Lilly’s first dedicated site for bioconjugates, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a cutting-edge treatment that combines monoclonal antibodies with toxic agents to target cancer cells.
Eli Lilly is developing these innovative therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
CEO Dave Ricks told CNBC the new plant will address the company’s need for in-house capacity to manufacture and package biologics and ADCs.
Currently, Eli Lilly outsources some production to third parties or European sites, a gap the Virginia plant will fill.
The location offers logistics advantages, a skilled workforce, and infrastructure already in place, allowing for quick development.
While import tariffs influenced some decisions, Ricks said the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which lowered the corporate tax rate to 21%, played a bigger role in choosing to invest in the U.S.
The facility will use advanced technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence to ensure high-quality production.
The project will create over 650 new jobs in engineering, science, operations, and lab work, plus about 1,800 construction jobs during building.
Eli Lilly’s U.S. plants are also located in North Carolina, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
This expansion supports Eli Lilly’s broad drug pipeline beyond its successful weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes treatment Mounjaro.
The company aims to develop treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases, securing its future across multiple therapeutic areas.
Aster DM Healthcare expands myAster’s 24/7 Pharmacy delivery across five Emirates
UAE — myAster, the flagship digital health platform of Aster DM Healthcare, has expanded its 24/7 pharmacy and wellness delivery services beyond Dubai to cover Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah, marking a major step in nationwide healthcare accessibility.
The expansion allows patients across five Emirates to access round-theclock express delivery of prescription medicines, supplements, skincare products, mother-and-baby essentials, and other wellness items, delivered directly to their homes.
Building on the success of myAster’s 60-minute delivery model in Dubai, the service now scales an innovation that blends convenience with comprehensive healthcare support.
Since its launch in July 2022, myAster has emerged as the UAE’s first integrated healthcare superapp. With over 2.8 million downloads and more than 2 million people served in three years, it has redefined how patients engage with healthcare.
In fiscal year 2024 alone, the platform facilitated over 1 million appointments, with two-thirds of all Aster physical consultations now booked via the app.
The platform goes beyond pharmacy delivery. Users can book teleconsultations and in-person visits, access lab reports, manage chronic conditions, and shop for wellness and beauty essentials, all within one digital ecosystem.
Nalla Karunanithy, CEO of Digital
Health and E-Commerce at Aster DM Healthcare, emphasized that the expansion reflects changing consumer expectations.
“This is more than convenience. By extending 24/7 express delivery across the Emirates, we are building a patientcentered ecosystem that responds to modern lifestyles and evolving health priorities,” he said.
The rollout follows myAster’s entry into Saudi Arabia and positions the platform as one of the region’s most inclusive health and wellness solutions.
By integrating healthcare access with everyday wellness, myAster is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital health in the Gulf.
DRC begins Ebola vaccination campaign in Kasai Province
DRC — The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has begun vaccinating frontline health workers and people exposed to Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Bulape health zone, Kasai Province, following a recent outbreak.
This vaccination campaign is a crucial effort to contain the virus in one of the current epidemic hotspots.
An initial shipment of 400 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine was sent to Bulape from the country’s stockpile of 2,000 doses stored in Kinshasa, the capital.
Additional doses will arrive soon to expand immunization in affected areas.
The campaign employs a ring vaccination strategy, targeting individuals at the highest risk, including direct contacts of confirmed cases, healthcare workers, and frontline responders.
The Ervebo vaccine is proven safe and effective against the Zaire ebolavirus, which causes the current outbreak.
To support the DRC’s efforts, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision recently approved sending approximately 45,000 extra Ebola vaccine doses to the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) assisted health officials with the vaccine request and partnered with UNICEF to develop a detailed distribution plan for efficient vaccination.
Vaccination teams receive training in data collection and benefit from field expert support to ensure smooth operations.
Alongside vaccination, treatment centers in Bulape have increased supplies of Mab114, a monoclonal antibody therapy that improves survival chances for Ebola patients.
The WHO has deployed 48 experts in disease surveillance, clinical care, infection prevention, logistics, and community engagement to coordinate with the government and partners, thereby strengthening response efforts.
In neighbouring countries, the WHO is working closely with national authorities to improve surveillance and preparedness to prevent cross-border spread.
Currently, the WHO assesses the outbreak’s public health risk as high within the DRC, moderate regionally, and low globally.
Despite this, urgent efforts continue to contain the outbreak and protect vulnerable communities.
KEMRI opens advanced polio laboratory to boost regional health
KENYA – The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has officially launched its Expanded Polio Laboratory, marking a major advancement in strengthening public health systems in Kenya and the broader region.
This new facility enhances the country’s fight against poliovirus and other epidemic-causing diseases.
The laboratory was inaugurated by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, alongside the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, and KEMRI’s Director-General, Dr. Patrick Amoth.
The event also involved key international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), represented by Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and eHealth Africa, led by Dr. David Akpan.
KEMRI’s Board Chair, Dr. Abdullahi Ali, and Acting Director-General, Prof. Elijah Songok, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to safeguarding public health through innovative research and strong collaboration.
They emphasized that the new Expanded Polio Laboratory sets a high standard in the fight against poliovirus in Kenya and neighboring countries.
Serving as Kenya’s National Reference Laboratory and an Inter-Country Reference Laboratory, the facility supports nations in the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and the Comoros.
By extending its regional services, the laboratory strengthens joint efforts to detect and respond to health threats efficiently.
A major highlight is the laboratory’s capability to conduct in-country genomic sequencing, which significantly speeds up the identification and response to poliovirus outbreaks and other dangerous pathogens.
It also functions as a multi-pathogen genomic center, providing sequencing services for diseases like monkeypox, measles, rubella, and enteric viruses.
This broad capacity improves regional disease surveillance and control.
Moreover, the laboratory will produce liquid nitrogen, essential for poliovirus diagnostics, pathogen preservation, and supporting One Health initiatives linking human and animal health laboratories. This integrated approach enhances the detection and management of diseases affecting humans, animals, and the environment.
The Expanded Polio Laboratory plays a vital role in accelerating Kenya’s efforts to eradicate polio, while also boosting preparedness for future epidemics and pandemics.
KEMRI thanked the Ministry of Health, WHO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, eHealth Africa, and its dedicated scientists for their crucial contributions toward a polio-free future and healthier communities.
REGULATORY
FDA approves Leqembi autoinjector
for at-home Alzheimer’s treatment
USA — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new once-weekly autoinjector version of Eisai’s Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi (lecanemab).
This new autoinjector, called Leqembi IQLIK, is designed for patients with early Alzheimer’s disease who have completed 18 months of intravenous (IV) treatment every two weeks and are moving to maintenance therapy.
Set to launch in the United States in October 2025, the autoinjector offers a more convenient alternative to traditional IV infusions.
The FDA approved the 360 mg autoinjector as an option for maintenance therapy. Patients currently receiving IV infusions can now choose either a once-monthly IV dose of 10 mg/ kg, approved in February 2025, or the weekly autoinjector.
Eisai had initially planned to submit the biologics license application for the
autoinjector in March 2024 but faced delays after the FDA requested additional data on the drug’s immunogenicity.
Eisai resumed a rolling submission in May 2024 and ultimately received approval.
Eisai and its partner Biogen highlighted that the autoinjector will allow patients to receive treatment at home, eliminating the need for infusion center visits.
This not only improves patient convenience but also frees infusion slots for new patients beginning treatment.
Currently, Leqembi remains the only FDA-approved amyloid-targeting Alzheimer’s therapy that patients can administer themselves at home.
The injection takes only 15 seconds, significantly reducing treatment time compared to the hour-long IV infusions.
The FDA based its decision on the Phase III CLARITY AD study, which showed that switching to the autoinjector
after 18 months of IV therapy does not reduce treatment effectiveness.
Leqembi was among the first drugs to slow Alzheimer’s progression by targeting specific forms of beta-amyloid protein called protofibrils.
Although Eisai faces competition from Eli Lilly’s Kisunla (donanemab), both drugs treat early Alzheimer’s but target different amyloid forms.
Despite the progress, drug uptake remains slow due to high costs and limited reimbursement, especially in the U.S.
Eisai is optimistic about Leqembi’s commercial outlook, projecting sales between US$1.7 billion and US$1.9 billion in fiscal 2027.
GlobalData forecasts global sales reaching US$2.2 billion by 2028.
Aga Khan University Opens Kampala Campus, Transforming Education and Healthcare in Uganda
UGANDA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has inaugurated the Aga Khan University’s (AKU) first academic buildings and student residences on its new 60-acre Kampala campus, a milestone set to reshape higher education and healthcare in Uganda and the wider region.
The event, led by His Highness the Aga Khan, Chancellor of AKU, also launched the construction of the Aga Khan University Hospital.
Once complete, it will stand among the most advanced medical facilities in East Africa, offering internationalquality care in more than 24 specialties and reducing the need for Ugandans to travel abroad for treatment.
Designed by the world-renowned
firm Legorreta, the campus combines a seven-story University Centre, a ninestory student residence, and a specialty outpatient medical centre.
It will accommodate 700 students and 100 faculty, making it a new hub for academic excellence in East Africa.
Equally significant is AKU’s pledge to expand training for doctors, nurses, and specialists in high-demand areas such as surgery and cardiology.
Over two decades, AKU has already trained more than 1,500 Ugandan nurses, and its new programs will strengthen the country’s medical workforce and future-proof its healthcare system.
President Museveni hailed the project as a transformative partnership, underscoring government support
through land provision and policies to secure investments.
He awarded His Highness the Aga Khan Uganda’s highest civilian honor, recognizing his leadership in advancing education, health, and social development.
By combining world-class education with advanced healthcare, the Kampala campus and hospital mark one of the most important private investments in Uganda’s recent history.
They represent not only an opportunity for learning and care at the highest levels but also a long-term commitment to building a healthier, more prosperous Uganda.
APPOINTMENTS UPDATE
Dr. D Jagadeswaran
appointed President of Key Allied Healthcare Council
INDIA — The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has appointed Prof. Dr. D Jagadeswaran as President of the Medical Technology & Physician Associates, Biomedical & Medical Equipment Technology Professional Council.
Dr. Jagadeswaran, Dean and Head of the Apollo Institute of Hospital Management and Allied Sciences in Chennai, is widely recognized for his leadership in allied healthcare education and policy.
His appointment is seen as a crucial step in strengthening the regulation of a broad range of healthcare professions.
The NCAHP, established under the 2021 Act, serves as a national regulator alongside bodies like the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Dental Council of India (DCI).
It oversees the training and conduct of 57 allied and healthcare professions, including biomedical engineers, physician associates, and specialists in cardiovascular, respiratory, dialysis, and neurophysiology technologies.
Industry leaders praised the appointment, citing Dr. Jagadeswaran’s academic and policy expertise as vital for aligning professional education with industry needs.
His leadership is expected to raise standards, enhance professional ethics, and better prepare India’s allied health workforce for both national and global healthcare demands.
Dr. Richard Lesiyampe appointed acting CEO of KNH
KENYA — Health Cabinet Secretary
Aden Duale has appointed Dr. Richard Lesiyampe Leserian as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya’s largest public referral and teaching facility.
The appointment was formalized during a handover ceremony overseen by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga.
Dr. Lesiyampe takes over from Dr. Evanson Kamuri, with Dr. Abbas Gullet also introduced as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Duale described the appointment as a key step in strengthening KNH’s governance and aligning the hospital with ongoing health sector reforms.
Before joining KNH, Dr. Lesiyampe served as Acting CEO of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), where he oversaw major expansions in bed capacity, emergency services, surgical theaters, and diagnostic technology.
His tenure also boosted staffing levels and increased hospital revenue, establishing JOOTRH as one of the country’s top referral centers.
Located in Nairobi, KNH serves as the nation’s premier referral, research, and teaching hospital. Dr. Lesiyampe’s appointment is expected to accelerate reforms, enhance clinical services, and support Kenya’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
mPharma appoints Kwesi Archin as new CEO as cofounder Gregory Rockson steps down
GHANA — Healthtech startup mPharma has announced a major leadership transition, with co-founder Gregory Rockson stepping down as Chief Executive Officer after 12 years at the helm.
Rockson confirmed that Kwesi Archin, FCCA, will immediately assume the role of CEO, while he shifts focus to his position as co-founder and Chairman of the Board.
Rockson described Archin as a trusted friend and capable leader, saying, “After 12 years of starting and building mPharma, I am happy to pass the baton to Kwesi to lead us into the next phase of our journey.”
Archin joined mPharma in April 2023 as Senior Vice President, before being appointed Chief Operating Officer in July 2025.
Within three months, he now steps up to lead the company. His appointment signals continuity in mPharma’s mission to expand access to affordable healthcare and strengthen pharmacy networks across Africa.
Founded in 2013, mPharma operates in nine African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Gabon, offering pharmacy, diagnostics, and telemedicine services.
Under Archin’s leadership, the company is expected to accelerate its push toward sustainable healthcare delivery across the continent.
H.E. Hamad M. AlDhewalia appointed Operating Partner at TVM Capital Healthcare
SAUDI ARABIA — TVM Capital Healthcare, a private equity firm investing in healthcare across the Middle East and Southeast Asia, has appointed H.E. Hamad M. AlDhewalia as its new Operating Partner in Saudi Arabia.
AlDhewalia, who previously served as a Senior Partner at the firm for three years, brings more than 40 years of leadership experience in both public and private healthcare.
His distinguished career includes serving as Vice Minister of Health for Health Affairs (2015–2019), advisor to the Minister of Health, and CEO of major hospital networks, such as King Abdullah Medical Complex and Al-Ahsa Hospital.
Earlier, he held senior roles at Saudi Aramco, where he led innovations in employee healthcare services.
His appointment strengthens TVM Capital Healthcare’s role in advancing Vision 2030’s healthcare transformation, with a focus on specialty care, digital health, and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Dr. Helmut Schuehsler, Chairman and CEO, said AlDhewalia’s lifelong dedication to improving healthcare access and quality aligns perfectly with the firm’s mission to build sustainable, high-impact healthcare platforms in the Kingdom.
Expressing his enthusiasm, H.E. AlDhewalia said he is honored to join TVM Capital Healthcare as it rapidly expands its investment and impact in Saudi Arabia.
Pfizer appoints Ouardia Djoudjai to lead North Africa business operations
NORTH AFRICA — Pfizer has named Ouardia Djoudjai as the new Cluster Lead for North Africa, entrusting her with oversight of the company’s operations across the region.
Djoudjai brings over 17 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, with expertise spanning oncology, vaccines, rare diseases, and internal medicine.
She joined Pfizer in 2010 and has since risen through senior roles in marketing, brand management, and leadership.
Most recently, she served as Business Lead for Vaccines & Oncology in the Gulf countries, where her strategic vision drove double-digit growth and enhanced team engagement.
Pfizer highlighted her leadership in advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), noting her role in cofounding the MENA DEI Council and leading Pfizer’s Gulf DEI council.
This experience is expected to shape a collaborative and inclusive culture within the North Africa cluster.
In her statement, Djoudjai expressed pride in taking on the new role, emphasizing her commitment to improving patient access to innovative therapies and strengthening healthcare partnerships.
Her appointment aligns with Pfizer’s mission to expand access to medicines and vaccines while supporting health system transformation in North Africa.
Professor Fredrick Were appointed Chairperson of KMPDC
KENYA — Professor Fredrick Namenya Were, a distinguished paediatrician and researcher, has been appointed Chairperson of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
His three-year term, effective July 25, was confirmed through a presidential gazette notice, succeeding Professor Stanley Khainga, whose appointment was revoked.
Professor Were, a Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Nairobi, specialises in Newborn Medicine and brings decades of clinical, academic, and policy experience. He currently serves as Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Nairobi, Adjunct Professor of Newborn Medicine at Aga Khan University, and Executive Director of the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium.
Nationally, he has advised the Ministry of Health on child health and immunisation policies, chairing Kenya’s National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (KENITAG).
Globally, he is a member of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunisation.
The Kenya Paediatric Association welcomed his appointment, calling it a recognition of his leadership and commitment to advancing healthcare standards.
His stewardship is expected to strengthen the council’s regulatory role and support Kenya’s health sector reforms.
Beyond Eye Care
How Lion Sightfirst Eye Hospital Incorporates New Departments For Holistic Healthcare
BY ALPHONSE OKOTH
For nearly 28 years since its inception, Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital (LSEH) stands as a beacon of hope for patients across Africa and beyond. The facility offers comprehensive services that are crucial for addressing various health challenges relating to eye care, diabetes, dental and Ear Nose, Throat (ENT) infections, and the management of wounds.
As Charles Anyula, head of Corporate Services, explains, the hospital’s departments, including ENT, dental, diabetic care, and wound management, are integrated due to their connection to eye health. “Many conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, we manage here, LSEH have direct implications on eye diseases,” Mr. Anyula emphasized.
These departments treat patients and train specialists, bridging skills gaps in Kenya. “We aim to give back the gift of sight and dignity,” Dr. Rizwana Peerbhoy, the hospital’s General Manager emphasizes. Each unit contributes to this vision, making the hospital a beacon of hope across Africa.
1. DENTAL EXCELLENCE: RESTORING SMILES AND ORAL HEALTH
LSEH is celebrated for its transformative eye care services, but its dental department is equally outstanding, providing a broad range of oral health solutions. Dr. Godfrey Maronga, a restorative dentist at the facility, highlights its mission: “We specialize in restoring smiles by treating damaged, lost, or broken teeth. We aim to provide preventive and curative care under one roof and LSEH is the roof.”
The dental department comprises a team of highly skilled specialists, each catering to specific patient needs. These include orthodontists for teeth alignment, maxillofacial surgeons for facial trauma and tumors, implant surgeons for replacing missing teeth, and periodontists for gum care. Dr. Maronga explains, “We ensure a robust and holistic approach
to oral health. From complex restorations to routine check-ups, we offer solutions tailored to each patient.”
The department sees between 300 and 500 patients monthly, with 120 to 150 new cases. Most patients present with advanced dental issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, or missing teeth. “Unfortunately, many patients wait until they are in pain before seeking medical attention,” Dr. Maronga laments. “Prevention is key, but when treatment is needed, we are here to offer the best care.”
The hospital’s dental department integrates advanced technology to ensure accurate diagnostics and effective treatment. Digital radiographs and 3D CBCT imaging allow clinicians to visualize oral structures in detail, aiding in precise diagnoses and treatment plans. “For complex cases such as dental implants, CBCT imaging is invaluable,” notes Dr. Maronga .
Other innovations include intraoral scanners, which provide detailed impressions without the discomfort of traditional molds, and rigorous sterilization protocols. “Patient safety is our priority,” says Dr. Maronga. “From sterilizing instruments to maintaining a clean environment, we adhere to the highest medical standards.”
The dental team places significant emphasis on prevention. “Neglect is far more expensive than routine care,” Dr. Maronga warns. “A cavity that could have been fixed for a few thousand shillings might later require a root canal or even a dental implant, costing ten times more.”
Patients are educated on proper brushing techniques, dietary choices, and habits like avoiding tobacco and hard drugs to maintain oral health. “Most dental problems stem from poor hygiene and diet,” says Dr. Maronga. “With regular check-ups, we can arrest dental issues early and avoid costly treatments.”
What sets the department apart is its integration with other healthcare services at LSEH. “Oral health is deeply connected to general health,” Dr. Maronga explains. “Conditions like diabetes can affect both gums and eyes. By working closely with other departments, such as the diabetes care center, we offer comprehensive care to our patients.”
Patient satisfaction is a cornerstone of the dental department’s success. “Our patients trust us since they know that at LSEH we deliver quality healthcare,” Dr. Maronga shares. “Many come back for follow-ups and refer friends and family. It is a testament to our commitment to excellence.”
Dr. Maronga urges everyone to prioritize oral health. “Do not wait for pain or visible issues but embrace dental checkups, they are crucial. Prevention is cheaper and helps maintain your natural teeth longer,” he advises. “Invest in your oral health, it is an investment in your overall well-being.”
2. DIABETES CARE CENTER
Diabetes, a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, is increasingly being recognized as a major contributor to eye diseases. Dr. Rilwan Adan, head of the Diabetes Care Center (DCC) at LSEH, emphasizes the critical
This article highlights the role of other departments in LSEH and their connection to eye care.
link between diabetes and vision complications, explaining that “One of the major complications of diabetes is in the eye.” This interconnection necessitates holistic healthcare approaches that address both conditions simultaneously.
Diabetes can lead to a range of eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Dr. Adan elaborates: “Patients often come to the eye clinic with visual issues, only for us to discover that diabetes is the underlying cause. Without proper diabetes management, these eye conditions cannot be effectively treated.”
This realization spurred the establishment of the Diabetes Care Center, which co-manages patients with diabetes and eye conditions to provide integrated care.
While type 1 diabetes is primarily autoimmune and not related to lifestyle, type 2 diabetes has strong ties to factors such as obesity, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity. However, genetics also play a role, making early screening essential. Dr. Adan advises, “Screening is crucial, especially for individuals 40 years and above or those with a family history of diabetes. Detecting prediabetes early can prevent its progression to type 2 diabetes.”
PATIENT UNDERGOING DENTAL SURGERY
The DCC prioritizes comprehensive risk assessments, checking blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and obesity markers such as BMI and waist circumference for every patient. Public outreach programs and community screenings further enhance early detection efforts, ensuring more individuals receive timely care.
Managing diabetes extends beyond clinical settings, touching on broader issues like affordability and food security. Dr. Adan points out that “Healthy food is expensive, making it challenging for patients to maintain stable blood sugar levels.” Additionally, medication and diagnostic costs remain barriers for many, particularly those living below the poverty line.
To mitigate these challenges, the center offers affordable consultations and leverages telemedicine to reach underserved populations. Their telemedicine platform allows patients to remotely monitor and share blood sugar readings, improving accessibility and reducing healthcare costs.
The growing burden of diabetes Kenya is witnessing a worrying rise in diabetes cases, with prevalence rates varying between
3.1% and 9.1% across different studies. Alarmingly, younger populations are increasingly affected, with diagnoses now common among individuals in their age of 30s and 40s. Dr. Rilwan calls this trend “a ticking time bomb,” noting that the socioeconomic impacts of untreated diabetes are profound. Vision loss, amputations, and other complications can lead to disabilities, increasing healthcare costs and reducing workforce productivity.
To combat the growing diabetes epidemic, the LSEH’s DCC engages in extensive public awareness campaigns and professional training. “We recently hosted a symposium with 200 healthcare professionals to share knowledge on diabetes management and prevention,” she says. The center also collaborates with international partners to host webinars and workshops, ensuring both patients and professionals stay informed about the latest advancements in care.
Dr. Adan’s message to the public is clear: “We need to create awareness about diabetes at every level. Healthy eating, regular physical activity, and early screening can prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications. If you have received guidance from a healthcare professional, share it with others to amplify the message.”
3. FOOT AND WOUND CARE: KEY TO DIABETES AND EYE HEALTH
Foot and wound care play a critical role in managing diabetes, a condition closely tied to eye health issues. According to Dr. Shilpa Mulki, Head of the Foot and Wound clinic under the DCC unit at LSEH, “25% of people living with diabetes
WHILE TYPE
1
DIABETES IS PRIMARILY AUTOIMMUNE AND NOT RELATED TO LIFESTYLE, TYPE 2 DIABETES HAS STRONG TIES TO FACTORS SUCH AS OBESITY, POOR NUTRITION, AND LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
develop a foot ulcer, and 80% of these cases are preventable. We have successfully reduced amputation rates by focusing on preventive and chronic wound care.”
The LSEH Foot and Wound unit champions a holistic approach, employing international guidelines for chronic wound care. “Using specialized wound dressings and global standards of care, we have prevented numerous needless amputations in the past five to seven years,” says Dr. Shilpa. Preventive measures such as educating patients on proper footwear and foot hygiene have proven invaluable in reducing risks. “Our focus is to identify prediabetes, manage it through lifestyle changes, and push patients toward remission,” explains Dr. Shilpa. Patients identified as highrisk for foot complications receive customized footwear and comprehensive advice. “A young woman in her 30s avoided serious foot damage by using the specialized shoes we
recommended. Today, she is an advocate for diabetic foot care in her community,” shares Dr. Shilpa
This integrated approach minimizes diabetes-related complications, foot ulcers or vision loss, and has improved health outcomes by empowering patients through education and personalized care.
4. EAR NOSE AND THROAT INFECTIONS (ENT) UNIT
The relationship between ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) care and eye care at LSEH lies in their shared goal of addressing interconnected sensory and health needs, although they operate as distinct departments.
Dr. Moses Koiyet, who runs the ENT clinic, explains that ENT services at LSEH were established to complement the hospital’s eye care offerings, ensuring patients have access to comprehensive care under one roof. He notes, “You can imagine how someone would feel if they could not see or hear. By improving hearing, we enhance their overall quality of life.”
For over two decades, Dr. Koiyet, an experienced audiologist and ENT specialist, has been improving hearing and ENT health, blending passion and expertise to tackle diverse challenges. “I do not work because I have to; I do it because I love the profession. When you help a deaf person to hear or assist a child in developing speech, that joy is unparalleled,” says Dr. Koiyet.
The ENT department specializes in diagnosing and treating ear, nose, and throat conditions, which sometimes intersect with broader health issues, including those impacting vision. For instance, chronic tonsillitis or adenoids in children can
lead to complications such as fluid buildup in the middle ear, affecting hearing. These cases are handled through collaborative efforts, ensuring prompt surgical interventions when necessary. Similarly, conditions like meningitis, which can cause hearing loss and vision problems, highlight the importance of an integrated approach to care.
Based at the CMP Clinic, Dr. Koiyet emphasizes the prevalence of ear-related problems in rural areas where healthcare facilities are scarce. He recounts encountering entire families in Maasai and Samburu regions suffering from untreated ear infections. “In nomadic communities, poor sanitation and lack of healthcare access exacerbate these issues,” he notes, highlighting the need for targeted outreach programs.
The ENT clinic at LSEH also addresses community needs by organizing surgical camps with visiting specialists, similar to the hospital’s outreach in eye care. “Last year, we operated on 106 patients, many of whom regained functional hearing levels,” he explains.
Yet, the high costs of hearing aids, which can reach US$500, remain a significant barrier. “The government should subsidize hearing aids. Hearing loss is a disability, just like needing a wheelchair,” he asserts. These camps provide subsidized services to underserved populations, further solidifying the connection between the two departments’ missions.
While ENT and eye care address separate sensory systems, their co-location at LSEH enhances the hospital’s ability to provide holistic healthcare, catering to patients’ sensory and overall health needs.
Kilele Health Bracelets:
The Smart Wearable That Could Save Millions In Africa
BY VINCENT MORANGA
With a population exceeding 50 million, Kenya faces a challenge in delivering accessible and affordable healthcare, particularly in rural areas and among vulnerable communities. However, recent advancements in mobile technology, widespread internet access, and a growing demand for digital healthcare solutions have created numerous opportunities for innovative healthcare startups.
According to Statista, Kenya’s digital health sector is projected to grow from USD 225.6 million in 2024 to nearly USD 285 million by 2029, at a CAGR of 4.76%. At the heart of this momentum is a new wave of health-tech innovators, among them, Kilele Health Bracelets, a startup redefining chronic disease management.
In an interview with Healthcare Middle East & Africa Magazine, Ephy Yunan, co-founder of Kilele Health Bracelets, explains the inspiration behind launching Kilele in early 2024 and its impact on improving healthcare access for underserved communities.
THE STORY OF KILELE HEALTH BRACELETS
For Ephy, an award-winning product designer, the journey was deeply personal. She was inspired to start Kilele when her
mother was diagnosed with diabetes in 2023. “With my mum affected, I know that 8.5 million other Kenyans have diabetes, hypertension, or both,” she recalls.
The constant trips to distant hospitals for routine monitoring soon became a heavy burden on both Ephy’s mother and the family. Long journeys often meant losing valuable time, spending money on transport, and enduring long queues before seeing a doctor. These experiences underscored how many Kenyan families, especially those in rural areas, face barriers that go beyond treatment itself, access alone can be exhausting and costly.
It was during these challenging months that Ephy began to question the traditional model of healthcare. “Instead of her going to the hospital every day or every other day, why not monitor her remotely?” she wondered. That simple but powerful thought highlighted the possibility of shifting care from clinics to the patient’s wrist, making healthcare more proactive and less dependent on physical visits.
In a continent where healthcare access is often a luxury, Kilele Bracelets aims to democratize monitoring, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 3: good health and well-being for all.
A NURSE ON YOUR WRIST
Central to managing these diseases is Kilele’s affordable, IoT-enabled bio-monitoring bracelet, a wearable device that continuously tracks key health indicators in real time, including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, glucose levels, and body temperature.
“Our biometric monitoring bracelet is like a nurse on your wrist,” she explains. “In the hospital, a nurse checks your vitals,
INSTEAD OF RELYING SOLELY ON OCCASIONAL VITAL SIGNS TAKEN DURING APPOINTMENTS, KILELE’S PARTNER DOCTORS USE DETAILED HEALTH DATA COLLECTED CONTINUOUSLY BY THE BRACELETS.
records them, and cares for you. The bracelet does the same, all you have to do is wear it.”
The bracelet then securely transmits this information to doctors, generating valuable insights. Through their telehealth platform, caregivers and healthcare professionals receive the data, enabling timely interventions and reducing the need for emergency hospital visits.
Instead of relying solely on patients' feelings or occasional vital signs taken during appointments, Kilele's partner doctors use detailed health data collected continuously by the bracelets. While many physicians currently base decisions on infrequent measurements, Kilele improves care by providing accurate, ongoing health information, enabling life-saving decisions.
BUILDING WITH EMPATHY
Navigating the unfamiliar terrain of healthcare as a tech professional was no easy for Ms. Yunan, she teamed up with her co-founder, Elvis Munene, a hardware and IoT expert to
OUR BIOMETRIC MONITORING BRACELET IS LIKE A NURSE ON YOUR WRIST. IN THE HOSPITAL, A NURSE CHECKS YOUR VITALS, RECORDS THEM, AND CARES FOR YOU. THE BRACELET DOES THE SAME, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WEAR IT.
help bring the idea to life. Developing the Kilele Bracelet was no easy task. She explains that the concept didn't start fully formed. They began by practicing empathy, going into the field, talking to customers through interviews, observations, and surveys to understand who their customers were and what they needed daily.
After defining the problem based on their research, they explored various solutions and eventually settled on the bracelet. They then prototyped it and returned to customers to ask if it met their needs.
As the product entered the market, a key challenge remained: fully understanding customers’ needs. One memorable interaction reshaped their approach. A hypertension patient, frustrated with raw data, challenged them, "Okay, you're giving me my vitals, but what am I going to do with them?" This sparked the integration of AI insights. "That's when we learned that the patients need AI-powered insights to help them make sense of the data. So now he can know what to do tomorrow at 8 a.m."
NAVIGATING THE HEALTHCARE SPACE
Since its inception, the company has faced several challenges. Ephy notes that, coming from a tech background, building a company in the healthcare sector is not an easy task. Establishing the right networks and assembling a capable team were essential. With support from ALX Ventures, they brought together six freelancers who began developing the product from day one. ALX Ventures also provided crucial technical support, mentorship, and access to valuable networks.
Funding proved equally daunting, hardware startups often struggle to attract investors wary of high development costs. And then there's the intangible: resilience. "As a founder, you really need to be resilient. We'll have these challenges every day, but you really have to think outside the box."
Yunan and her team didn't just endure; they innovated their way through. Partnerships became their lifeline. ALX Ventures stepped in early, providing a team of six freelancers to kickstart development, along with mentorship and networks. "ALX Ventures was able to provide us with a team who were able to help us start building from day one," she says.
To gather real-world insights, they forged ties with
EPHY YUNAN CO-FOUNDER KILELE HEALTH BRACELETS
EPHY YUNAN COFOUNDER KILELE HEALTH BRACELETS
healthcare organizations and conducted medical camps. "We've also done medical camps, and I think they're a great way to talk to patients, because for a full day, we just get to see patients, observe them in their natural environment." These grassroots efforts, rooted in Yunan's research background, yielded invaluable data that shaped the product.
SAFEGUARDING PATIENT TRUST
Data privacy is paramount in this ecosystem. Kilele has made data privacy a central pillar of its operations, ensuring compliance with strict regulatory frameworks. “We’ve taken deliberate steps to safeguard data through robust encryption and security measures,” explains Yunan. To reinforce this, the startup has partnered with Cloudplexo, which provides the infrastructure to keep health records safe from unauthorized access.
“We have very strict data protection policies that adhere to the Kenya Data Protection Act and the Digital Health Act,” Yunan adds. Access to information is tightly controlled, limited only to authorized patients and their doctors. This commitment not only strengthens user confidence but also positions Kilele as a trustworthy player in a sector where concerns over data misuse remain high.
At the same time, Kilele is carving out a clear competitive edge. Unlike many rival solutions that require multiple devices, the Kilele bracelet integrates all vital sign monitoring into a single wearable. Affordability further sets it apart: priced at KES 6,000 (USD 40), it costs less than half of comparable devices, typically around KES 13,000 (USD 87). The company’s flexible pay-as-you-use model also makes it accessible to lowincome patients who might otherwise be excluded. Adding to this advantage is a unique feature, direct connectivity with doctors, ensuring patients don’t just track their health data, but also receive timely medical guidance.
BEYOND THE BRACELET
Kilele is not stopping at wearables. The startup has rolled out a telemedicine app that stores medical histories, connects patients with doctors, and allows appointment scheduling. They are also developing an AI-powered chatbot that will interpret vitals and engage with patients between visits, always under doctor supervision.
Kilele is also developing an AI-powered chatbot designed to enhance patient engagement and monitoring. This chatbot will be able to communicate regularly with patients and accurately interpret their vital signs. “However, this functionality still requires doctor approval, so we are actively working on it.”
These innovations have not gone unnoticed. Kilele has been nominated for the Women in Digital Health Award, recognized by the Kayana Female MSME program, and welcomed into global networks such as the Forbes Black Excellence Community and the Cartier Women’s Initiative.
KILELE’S QUEST FOR A HEALTHIER AFRICA
Looking ahead, Kilele’s vision stretches beyond Kenya. “Ideally, within five years, every diabetes patient will wear a bracelet that helps them manage their health proactively,” says Ephy. With plans to expand into conditions like asthma and to enter other African markets with similar demographics, Kilele is positioning itself as a leading force in digital health innovation.
As innovations like Kilele emerge, they’re reshaping healthcare’s future. “In the next five years, we’d want them to expect a lot of innovations. From our end, we are always continuously improving and continuously exploring new products that can give our patients better health care. Join us in this journey connecting with us on LinkedIn @kilele bracelets or @Ephy Yunan.” Yunan concludes. HCMEA
The Silent Tormentor: Living With Chikungunya's Lingering Pain In Africa
BY VINCENT MORANGA
Imagine going to bed feeling healthy, only to wake up with your body in turmoil. The next morning brings joint pain, fever, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, and a fiery rash, turning your world into a painful maze. This isn't a medical thriller; it's the reality for many in Africa fighting the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne illness that, although not deadly, its chronic phase can deprive people of years of comfortable living.
First identified in Tanzania in 1952, Chikungunya derives its name from the Makonde people, meaning “that which bends up,” referring to the stooped posture caused by severe joint pain in affected patients. Although urgent efforts are needed to eradicate this neglected tropical disease (NTD), challenges such as underdiagnosis, limited laboratory capacity, inadequate funding, and insufficient research are hindering progress toward its elimination.
DISEASE ETIOLOGY: MORE THAN JUST A FEVER
Chikungunya is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. After an incubation of 4–8 days, symptoms erupt with startling intensity: sudden fever, polyarthritis, rash, muscle pain, nausea, and sometimes neurological effects. Unlike dengue or Zika, chikungunya is notable for its longterm consequences.
While most patients recover from the acute illness within two weeks, an estimated 40% go on to develop chronic chikungunya disease (CCD). CCD manifests as debilitating musculoskeletal pain, polyarthritis, and neuropathic pain, sometimes lasting six years or more. Patients also report hair loss, memory lapses, anxiety, and depression, symptoms that turn what was once an acute viral illness into a lifelong burden.
A UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) report from 2025 found that 12% of patients still experienced joint pain three
years after infection, underscoring the chronicity of this “silent tormentor.” Vulnerable groups, infants, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions, are particularly at risk.
A GLOBAL AND REGIONAL SNAPSHOT
The WHO reports that by December 2024, chikungunya had spread to 119 countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Furthermore, more than 35,000 cases had been reported in Asian countries, including India and Sri Lanka, with La Réunion recording 54,000 cases by early July 2025. China is experiencing its largest chikungunya outbreak, with over 8,000 cases reported in Guangdong Province since June 2025, according to the Chinese Centre for Disease Control (China CDC).
UKHSA report covering January to June 2025 highlighted a 170% increase in travel-related cases, with 73 reported in the UK compared to 27 the previous year. “There are only two mosquito species that transmit the disease, and they are not established in the UK,” the report explained. “This is because the UK’s climate is generally unsuitable for their survival and breeding.”
Africa remains disproportionately affected by chikungunya, with misdiagnosis hindering accurate case reporting. Because chikungunya shares symptoms with dengue and Zika, determining the actual number of cases is challenging. The most recent case recorded was in June 2025, when the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) reported 25 chikungunya cases and one dengue case among 45 suspected cases in Mombasa.
IN KENYA, A JUNE 2025 OUTBREAK SAW THE KEMRI CONFIRMED 25 CHIKUNGUNYA CASES IN MOMBASA, HIGHLIGHTING THE DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGE WHEN DENGUE AND ZIKA CIRCULATE ALONGSIDE.
THE HIDDEN COST OF PAIN
Chikungunya may not kill in large numbers, but its economic footprint rivals more lethal diseases. Lost productivity during acute illness, compounded by months or years of chronic arthritis, translates into billions in indirect costs.
A 2023 global model placed chikungunya’s economic toll between US$2.8 billion in direct medical costs and US$47.1 billion in productivity losses over the last decade. In Africa, the cost is magnified by fragile health systems: misdiagnosed patients bounce between clinics, while outbreaks overwhelm already stretched facilities. In Kenya, for instance, a June 2025 outbreak saw the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) confirm 25 chikungunya cases in Mombasa, highlighting the diagnostic challenge when dengue and Zika circulate alongside. For families, the cost is deeply personal. Joint immobility
IN NUMBERS
COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY CHIKUNGUNYA IN 2024
means months away from work, school, or farming. As one Tanzanian farmer told researchers, “When chikungunya comes, the land waits, harvests fail because we cannot bend to work.”
WHY CHIKUNGUNYA IS SPREADING
The rapid spread of chikungunya is not the result of a single cause but rather a confluence of factors that have created the perfect conditions for the virus to thrive. Climate change has played a central role. Warmer temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns have expanded both the range and the seasonal activity of Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vectors of chikungunya. Areas once considered unsuitable for transmission are now becoming vulnerable as the insects adapt and flourish under new environmental conditions
At the same time, urbanization is compounding the problem. Across Africa and the Middle East, rapid and often unplanned city growth has produced densely populated settlements with poor infrastructure. In these environments, stagnant water collects easily, providing fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Informal housing areas and peri-urban zones, lacking consistent sanitation and waste management,
are particularly affected, sustaining transmission cycles even outside of traditional high-risk zones. Finally, there is the persistent issue of funding gaps. After the global focus on Zika waned in the late 2010s, investments in arboviral surveillance and vector control declined. According to Dr. Doris Kemunto Nyamwaya, an epidemiologist with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine based at Uganda Research Institute, “Reduced funding has left many countries unable to conduct routine vector monitoring, detect outbreaks early, or respond promptly.” This lack of preparedness has allowed chikungunya to spread unchecked in many regions, exposing millions more to the risk of infection
PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT: OLD TOOLS, NEW FRONTIERS
Efforts to control chikungunya still rely heavily on curbing the mosquitoes that transmit it. Traditional strategies such as removing stagnant water, spraying insecticides, and community education campaigns remain central, but their effectiveness is often undermined by inconsistent application.
In recent years, however, innovation has begun to reshape the fight. One promising
approach is the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, which are less able to transmit arboviruses. First deployed to reduce dengue transmission, this strategy is now gaining traction in East Africa, where pilot projects are demonstrating encouraging results.
On the clinical front, there is still no approved antiviral for chikungunya, which means treatment remains largely supportive. The focus is on reducing fever and joint pain, maintaining hydration, and ensuring rest. In the acute phase, paracetamol is recommended, with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) introduced only after dengue has been excluded, to avoid the risk of bleeding.
For patients whose symptoms progress into persistent arthritis, doctors may turn to short courses of corticosteroids. In more chronic cases, the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate is becoming increasingly common, mirroring therapeutic strategies used in rheumatoid arthritis care.
Emerging evidence is strengthening these practices. A 2024 clinical trial in India demonstrated that triple therapy, combining methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine, produced superior outcomes compared to monotherapy. The findings are already influencing practice in African rheumatology clinics, where clinicians are piloting this combination to help patients whose joint pain persists months after infection.
The greatest breakthrough, however, has come in the form of vaccines, though not without complications. After decades of failed candidates, the chikungunya field celebrated the arrival of two authorized vaccines: IXCHIQ®, Valneva’s live-attenuated vaccine, and VIMKUNYA™, Bavarian Nordic’s virus-like particle vaccine.
Both won approvals in the US and Europe between 2024 and 2025, marking a historic moment in arboviral prevention. Yet progress has been clouded by controversy. In August 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration suspended IXCHIQ’s license following reports of serious adverse events, including four deaths linked to vaccination.
These safety concerns have heightened skepticism, particularly in Africa, where vaccine access was already limited. For communities that have long borne the brunt of chikungunya outbreaks, the promise of a vaccine remains tantalizing but incomplete. As Dr. Doris Kemunto Nyamwaya, an epidemiologist with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, points out: “We need vaccines designed with African populations in mind, safe, affordable, and effective.” Until then, chikungunya control on the continent will remain a balancing act between old vector control tools and emerging, but still imperfect, technological frontiers.
FUTURE OUTLOOK: HOPE WITH CAUTION
The story of chikungunya is entering a decisive chapter, one defined by scientific opportunity on the one hand and systemic challenges on the other.
Vaccines are finally within reach after decades of stalled
research, but their future impact depends on more than regulatory approval. Safety concerns, particularly following the suspension of Valneva’s IXCHIQ®, must be fully addressed before public trust can be rebuilt. Equally important is access: if immunization remains confined to wealthy travelers, Africa, the region bearing the heaviest burden, will see little relief.
Meanwhile, researchers are advancing promising oral antivirals, such as combinations of sofosbuvir and favipiravir. These agents, now moving from laboratory experiments into early trial phases, could transform outbreak response across Africa and the Middle East. Shelf-stable pills that can be distributed rapidly through community clinics would represent a major leap beyond the logistical complexities of biologic therapies.
Another frontier lies in monoclonal antibodies. These highly targeted treatments, including new plant-based formulations designed to reduce costs, are being developed as both therapies and preventive options. In future outbreaks, such antibodies could protect the most vulnerable, pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly, who face the highest risk of severe disease.
Finally, the effectiveness of all these tools hinges on integrated surveillance systems. Linking chikungunya monitoring with data on dengue and Zika, which share the same vectors, will be vital for early detection and rapid containment. Without such coordination, outbreaks will continue to blindside health systems.
As Dr. Doris Kemunto Nyamwaya cautions, “Tools are meaningless without systems. Without investment in primary healthcare, vector control, and data infrastructure, chikungunya will remain a tormentor in the shadows.”
The Future of Healthcare From Reactive Toward Predictive and Proactive...The
End of
“Sick Care”
BY LYDIA KHASOA
What if a condition could be predicted before symptoms, before diagnosis, before damage? In some clinics, patients aren’t waiting for elevated blood sugar to confirm prediabetes. Continuous metabolic monitoring, paired with AI, now detects subtle shifts in insulin sensitivity, sleep patterns, and activity levels that signal future risk. Platforms that integrate food logging, stress tracking, and menstrual cycles can build a personalized metabolic profile, with AI flagging early signs of insulin resistance or hormonal imbalance. Intervention, customized nutrition, coaching, and behavioral prompts begin long before clinical thresholds are crossed.
For centuries, healthcare has been reactive, intervening only when symptoms appear. Vaccines and screenings brought prevention into the picture, but primarily as checkpoints rather than continuous guidance. A new model is now emerging: proactive healthcare, where prevention becomes dynamic, predictive, and personal.
Two forces are powering this shift. Health informatics provides the intelligence to anticipate risk, integrating realtime data, genomics, and lifestyle insights to inform decisions. Hyperpersonalized care translates those insights into
meaningful action, reinforced by nutrition, movement, and stress management. Together they form the foundation of a system designed not just to treat illness but to sustain wellness.
DRIVERS OF PROACTIVE HEALTHCARE
The rise of proactive healthcare is being driven by economic, clinical, cultural, and technological pressures. Treating diseases late is both devastating and costly. The CDC estimates that workplace wellness programs return $3.27 in reduced medical costs and $2.73 in absenteeism savings for every dollar invested, making prevention a fiscal necessity. Policy reforms, such as value-based care, now reward healthier outcomes rather than sheer volume of procedures, prompting systems to intervene earlier and more intelligently.
The clinical case is equally compelling. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular illness consume most healthcare budgets, yet up to 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable through lifestyle changes, according to the World Heart Federation. The American Cancer Society also notes that 40% of cancers are linked to modifiable risk factors like diet, inactivity, and tobacco use. What distinguishes today’s model from traditional prevention is its predictive power: genomics, digital biomarkers, and
continuous monitoring can detect risks long before they become clinical events.
Patients are demanding this shift. With wearables, apps, and real-time insights, they expect to be active participants in their care. Informatics provides the digital backbone, unifying data, powering predictive algorithms, and enabling precise, personalized, and scalable prevention.
THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF INFORMATICS
Proactive healthcare only works if data can be captured, connected, and transformed into insight. Informatics provides this foundation, weaving together clinical records, diagnostic results, public health indicators, and genomic profiles. With these systems, health risks can be anticipated rather than simply reacted to, and interventions can be personalized on a large scale.
Predictive algorithms now flag subtle changes in blood pressure or sleep patterns before symptoms appear, while population dashboards highlight clusters of chronic diseases and guide resource allocation. From hospital EHRs in Europe to mobile platforms supporting maternal health education in East Africa, informatics is enabling prevention that is timely, targeted, and scalable. A powerful example lies in bioinformatics, where genomic data, such as BRCA screening for breast cancer, helps clinicians predict disease susceptibility and design personalized monitoring plans, a form of precision prevention already in practice.
INFORMATICS AND MODIFIED LIFESTYLE: HYPERPERSONALIZED CARE
Where informatics truly transforms healthcare is when datadriven insights meet everyday behavior. Continuous streams
of data from wearables, apps, and connected devices are now being integrated with clinical and molecular data to create hyper-personalized prevention strategies. This means realtime coaching for healthier diets, tailored exercise routines, or customized screening schedules shaped not only by population risk factors but also by an individual’s genetics, environment, and habits.
The result is a feedback loop that makes prevention collaborative: clinicians and patients engage in a cycle of monitoring, adjustment, and reinforcement. A good example is continuous glucose monitoring for people at risk of diabetes: when linked to mobile coaching platforms, it enables immediate lifestyle adjustments in diet and activity, turning predictive insights into daily, actionable guidance. By merging the precision of informatics with the practicality of lifestyle modification, healthcare evolves into a system that is both biologically precise and personally lived, one that guides people long before illness takes hold.
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES OF PROACTIVE HEALTHCARE IN AFRICA AND BEYOND
This transformation is already reshaping health systems across the continent.
1. AI-Enabled ECG for Early Heart Failure Detection in Kenya
Patients typically had to wait for symptoms or access expensive echocardiography to diagnose heart failure, options that were limited and often delayed in resource-constrained settings.
An AI‐enhanced ECG algorithm has been introduced to screen for left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) using just a standard electrocardiogram. In a study conducted
across eight Kenyan healthcare facilities involving nearly 6,000 patients, the system identified risk in approximately 18% of individuals, demonstrating impressive accuracy with 95.6% sensitivity and 79.4% specificity when compared to echocardiography.
More recently, a collaboration between AstraZeneca, Tricog Health, and the Kenya Cardiac Society extended this innovation across seven Kenyan centers by analyzing ECG data to identify heart failure risk even before symptoms arise.
2. Mobile Blood Pressure Monitoring in Nairobi’s Slums
High blood pressure often went undetected and unmanaged in informal settlements, leading to late interventions and poor outcomes.
In Kibera, the largest informal settlement in Africa, an innovative pilot by Amref Health Africa and Biospectal utilizes a smartphone app, OptiBP, to measure blood pressure simply using the phone’s camera and a fingertip. This low-cost, portable solution enables community members to monitor their hypertension remotely, allowing care teams to respond earlier.
3. Predictive Malaria Surveillance in Zambia
Before, malaria control relied on seasonal assumptions and retrospective reporting. Outbreak responses were delayed, often starting only after a surge in cases had already strained clinics.
Zambia’s Ministry of Health, working with PATH’s Malaria Control and Elimination Partnership in Africa (MACEPA), has since deployed District Health Information Software 2.0 (DHIS2-based) informatics systems that aggregate community health worker data in real time. Using predictive analytics, the system identifies hotspots before full outbreaks occur.
This allows health teams to pre-position bed nets, medicines, and indoor spraying campaigns in targeted areas. As a result, malaria incidence in pilot districts has dropped significantly, showing how data insights themselves, without new devices, can shift healthcare from reactive to proactive.
4. Continuous Glucose Monitoring in the U.S.
Previously, diabetes management relied heavily on fingerprick tests and periodic lab visits, providing only snapshots of a patient’s glucose profile. This often meant delayed interventions and missed early warning signs of poor control.
Now, Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems, such as the Abbott FreeStyle Libre, provide real-time readings through wearable sensors that track glucose trends day and night. In the U.S., widespread adoption has led to reduced HbA1c levels, improved adherence, and a decrease in diabetesrelated hospitalizations. A large-scale study reported that CGM users were 46% less likely to experience severe hypoglycemia compared with traditional monitoring.
NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION: BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Proactive healthcare has huge potential, but progress depends
CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORING (CGM) SYSTEMS,
SUCH AS THE ABBOTT FREESTYLE LIBRE, PROVIDE REAL-TIME READINGS THROUGH WEARABLE SENSORS THAT TRACK GLUCOSE TRENDS DAY AND NIGHT.
on overcoming real barriers. First is trust. Patients need to feel secure in sharing their health data, which makes privacy and strong cybersecurity essential as cyberattacks and data breaches become increasingly common.
Technology is another challenge. Health information often stays locked in separate systems, preventing clinicians from seeing the full picture. Many healthcare workers also lack training in digital tools and AI, while burnout and staff shortages make the adoption of these tools more challenging.
Finances also shape progress. Building proactive systems requires a significant investment in technology and training, resources that are often beyond the reach of rural and lowresource clinics. Without careful planning, these innovations risk widening inequities rather than closing them.
Finally, success depends on patient engagement. Proactive care works only when people actively track their health, share data, and respond to feedback. This requires culturally sensitive approaches that meet diverse communities where they are, rather than expecting them to adapt to a one-sizefits-all approach.
Despite these hurdles, the potential is undeniable. Proactive healthcare can reduce hospitalizations, lower costs, and improve quality of life. The real challenge is not whether it works, but how quickly, and how equitably, it can scale.
A FUTURE OF PRECISION AND PREVENTION
The future of healthcare is converging around two imperatives: data intelligence and human-centered care. Informatics enables health systems to anticipate risks, allocate resources efficiently, and monitor outcomes in real-time. Hyperpersonalized care ensures that prevention is not only targeted but meaningful, tailored to each individual’s biology, behavior, and context.
Beyond being technological, this transformation represents a cultural and structural rethinking of medicine. Policymakers are shifting toward value-based care; clinicians are embracing prevention as a clinical priority; and patients are demanding personalized, participatory models of care. As this momentum builds, societies will allocate more resources to lifelong wellness and less to late-stage disease treatment. This transition to proactive management is already underway.
What lies ahead is healthcare as it was always meant to be: predictive, personalized, and profoundly proactive. HCMEA
PRIVATE HOSPITALS:
The challenges of remaining viable in mature markets
BY MARK ADAMS, CEO OF CMC HOSPITAL DUBAI
With oversupply threatening the core viability of many private medical facilities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, private healthcare providers are facing huge challenges. Capacity has been growing much faster than demand, leading to low occupancy rates and fierce competition between facilities.
Private hospitals in the UAE have seen record growth over the last decade, with over 65% more new facilities today than in 2016. Dubai and Abu Dhabi alone account for 88 of the UAE’s 117 private hospitals, and in Q1 of last year, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) granted more than 150 licences for new healthcare facilities.
Yet Dubai simply isn’t providing the patient numbers to sustain this rapid growth, leading to dangerously low occupancy rates. And that’s important, because clinics need a minimum of 50% occupancy to cover costs and deliver meaningful returns. But even with population growth since 2022 of around 8.5%, many are achieving no more than 35%–50% occupancy.
Medical inflation is adding extra pressure on margins. Currently running at 11% in the UAE, it’s heading closer to 15% in Saudi Arabia. And if that weren’t enough, a fiercely competitive war on talent is underway, with a critical shortage of qualified clinical staff leading to high-performing doctors being poached by competitor healthcare organisations. Dubai alone faces a shortfall of around 6,000 physicians and 11,000 nursing staff by 2030.
Regulators and insurers are piling on yet more pressure to margins, with insurers continuing to exercise immense purchasing power to seek lower margins wherever possible. From a regulator perspective, reduced statutory reimbursement rates for long-term care, for example, are chipping away at the profitability of healthcare organisations providing step-down facilities that address bed-blocking issues at acute hospitals, while regulators are adding further costs through minimum nursing ratios, dependent on acuity and specialisation.
Insurers reject up to 30% of new medical claims in the UAE, as are 15% of resubmitted claims, while insurers are falling
short when it comes to designing policies that actually meet the sector’s minimum operating costs. In short, private healthcare providers are under immense pressure from every quarter.
HOW CAN PRIVATE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES?
Innovations in how healthcare is delivered will be key to addressing some of these pressures. The hub-and-spoke model, for example, allows clinics or super clinics to capture primary-care patients and feed them into secondary-care hubs. A growing number of facilities now act as community hubs, providing access to primary care services like radiology, cardiology, as well as obstetrics and gynaecology. Complex cases, once captured, are then fed into secondary or tertiary care within the same healthcare organisations.
In the UK, the recent introduction of regional hubs or super clinics in the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) will reduce hospital admissions by offering full lab and radiology services locally, with secondary investigative facilities like endoscopy fed out to secondary clinics closer to patients’ localities without having to travel to hospitals.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH INSURERS ON VALUE-BASED HEALTHCARE (VBHC) MODELS
Value-based models prioritise the right care by the most appropriate providers in the best setting. With insurers encouraged to pay for results and positive patient outcomes rather than activity and treatment volumes, our healthcare systems will become far more sustainable.
The framework for applying VBHC models is already underway here. Under the Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) Ejadah programme, insurers enjoy access to evidence-based data to reduce unnecessary treatments and costs and move away from a reactive approach to a more proactive, preventative model.
Some of the big regional players in healthcare insurance are already shifting towards a proactive VBHC model. Bupa Arabia, for example, is unrolling VBHC and disease-
management programmes, and Qatar’s National Diabetes Program is mirroring this model. This proactive approach, however, is predicated on predictive data analysis rather than the traditional use of retrospective claims data.
As MENA actuarial consultancy, Lux Actuaries, makes clear, the latter will always lead to “a system chasing costs that have already been incurred rather than predicting and mitigating risk”, whereby the reliance on retrospective claims data often results in missing that elusive opportunity to intervene early.
In a market where medical inflation is running at 11%, and in which the successful management of chronic disease can lower per-member costs by as much as 25%, strategic partnerships between providers and payers can offer a significant competitive advantage.
PREVENTATIVE DIAGNOSTICS AND REDUCED COSTS THROUGH AI
Advanced diagnostics are transforming healthcare while simultaneously delivering major efficiencies. Improved chances for earlier intervention are drastically enhanced, with AI-enabled diagnostics and predictive technology allowing medical staff to forecast who might develop diabetes, hypertension or heart conditions, with unprecedented accuracy.
AI is constantly increasing our ability to access bettertargeted and more efficient care. Its extraordinary advances in ophthalmology, for example, mean that labour-intensive screening can be replaced by AI, which can perform retinalimage scanning at scale. Ophthalmologists now have the chance to reduce blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy by 95%, thanks to early, AI-led diagnosis and intervention.
HEALTH TOURISM
Population growth of around 8.5% since 2022 is still not enough to provide the patient numbers needed to sustain Dubai’s rapid growth in medical facilities. It’s possible that this may improve, however, with the government’s welcome efforts to position the country as a premier destination for international medical tourism.
In 2023, Dubai hosted almost 700,000 international medical tourists, injecting around USD 300 million into the private healthcare system, and with Dubai’s strategic location within an 8-hour flight of two-thirds of the world’s population, there’s every chance we’ll see major growth in those figures.
Dubai is, however, competing with many international health-tourism hubs. With its location giving easy access from both Europe and Asia, Turkey’s position as a leading player in international health tourism is well known, but India is fast becoming a premier medical-tourism destination, where procedures such as knee and hip replacements cost just a fraction of what patients pay in high-cost countries. In fact, so successful has India’s medical tourism become that it now accounts for a staggering 7% of the country’s entire tourism revenue.
CLINICAL DIFFERENTIATION, CLINIC NETWORKS AND DEMOGRAPHIC TARGETING
Strong clinical differentiation is crucial to the survival of private facilities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The proliferation of franchises or subsidiaries of well-respected and longestablished European, American and British brands such as King’s College Hospital demonstrates how important it is for facilities to build and maintain a reputation for medical excellence when it comes to attracting patients.
Specialisation in specific clinical areas also helps to establish a strong reputation for excellence in a given field, as evidenced by Tarmeem Orthopedic and Spine Speciality Hospital in Abu Dhabi, and Moorfield Eye Hospital in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Better target-segment identification can help providers focus marketing efforts on the highest areas of demand while also widening catchment areas across different demographics and communities, where there is potential to attract additional self-pay patients, while networks of smaller clinics can offer the necessary scale in both leverage and brand awareness to take advantage of economies of scale and greater efficiencies to mitigate the pressure on margins.
PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION WITH EMPLOYERS TO PROMOTE PREVENTIVE CARE
Employers can play a major role when it comes to preventative care and a proactive approach to employee health. Workplace health cover should be designed to incentivise employees to engage actively in health screenings, as well as lifestyle improvements such as gym memberships, smoking cessation support, and diabetes and obesity control.
After all, offering the resources and support needed to manage chronic conditions before they develop into far more serious medical issues will give employees the power and incentive to live healthier lifestyles and take a more proactive approach to their own long-term health. The need for costly medical interventions later in life is therefore significantly lowered under these scenarios.
CLOSING THE SUPPLY-DEMAND GAP
Proactive approaches can help meet the persistent challenge of attracting new net-positive patient revenue in a market where low occupancy, depressed reimbursement rates and claims rejections still pose significant challenges. With a combination of strategic partnerships, technology and a re-imagining of how patient care is delivered – coupled with an openness to the disruption necessary to make healthcare systems truly viable – private facilities have the opportunity to close the supplydemand gap and improve margins.
While year-on-year growth in medical tourism will help, its effectiveness will depend on how many new clinics are granted licences. However, without a simultaneous approach to overcoming the many barriers to core viability, even new networks of smaller clinics and hospitals might struggle to achieve the necessary scale in leverage and brand awareness to guarantee survival. HCMEA
Weight Loss Drugs And Their Impact On Healthcare Systems
BY MARK ADAMS, CEO OF CMC HOSPITAL DUBAI
Obesity remains a major risk factor for Type-2 diabetes, and the loss of just 5%–7% of body mass can significantly lower the risk of developing the disease. In fact, weight loss of 10% of body mass can deliver significant benefits for obese patients, reducing the risk of Type-2 diabetes, hypertension and coronary disease, according to the dominant clinical consensus.
Weight loss GLP-1 RA drugs like Ozempic have been successful in lowering blood-sugar levels among people with diabetes and have, in many patients, resulted in weight loss due to their action to decelerate the movement of food through the body.
As a result, more and more non-diabetics are taking drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic exclusively for weight loss, and as these drugs get cheaper and tablets begin to replace injections, the proportion of non-diabetics on drugs such as GLP-1s will continue to rise. In the US, almost 40% of people on GLP-1 drugs last year took them for weight loss alone.
We are, however, in danger of storing up trouble for later.
Some trial results have suggested that the benefits of weightloss drugs disappear once treatment ends. What's more, of the total body mass lost, up to 40% of the losses come from lean mass and muscle loss. This has given rise to the socialmedia phenomenon of "Ozempic face" to describe the high loss of facial muscle mass in the 30 or so muscles on each side of a person's face, and the resulting loss of support under the skin. But appearances aside, the loss of muscle mass affecting the whole body has more serious implications for the many patients who regain weight without the necessary muscle mass to support it after treatment has stopped.
The immediate and tangible effects of diabetes drugs used to counter obesity are impressive during treatment. But as these interventions continue to extend the lives of patients who were at high risk of early death through multiple secondary co-morbidities caused by obesity, we're in danger of adding an annuity liability that will massively compound the existing problem of ageing populations.
The big question remains: would patients enjoy more
permanent weight-loss results and sustained good health if diabetes/weight-loss drugs were combined with meaningful lifestyle changes and bariatric surgery? And more to the point, perhaps: is it acceptable for healthcare systems to assume the life-long burden and costs of people whose lifestyle choices create self-inflicted ongoing health problems?
GLP-1S: A MAGIC PILL?
Health officials in the UK have warned that GLP-1 RAs are not a silver bullet. Uncertainty prevails over the long-term damage weight-loss drugs could be doing to non-diabetics who have alternative ways to address obesity. In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has this summer launched an urgent study into the safety of weightloss jabs after hundreds of patients developed chronic and acute pancreatitis after taking Wegovy, Ozempic or Mounjaro. In the first half of 2025, 10 patients died from the effects of pancreatitis after taking weight loss drugs.
ONE-OFF SURGICAL INTERVENTION: IS IT MORE EFFECTIVE LONG-TERM?
In H2 2023, according to a study from late last year, the number of bariatric surgeries in the US dropped by over 25%, coinciding with a more than 130% rise in the number of people prescribed GLP-1 RA drugs during the same period. In short, the softer option of drugs like Ozempic is hitting the bariatricsurgery market hard.
The study analysed 17 million claims from privatelyinsured patients with obesity who did not have diabetes. "Our study", said its senior author, "provides one of the first national estimates of the decline in utilisation of bariatric metabolic surgery among privately insured patients corresponding to the rising use of blockbuster GLP-1 RA drugs".
Elsewhere in the US, the Norman Regional Health System in Oklahoma announced last year that it planned to shutter its Journey Clinic, citing a decline in the number of metabolic surgeries and the rising popularity of Ozempic and other weight loss drugs.
The study, from The Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, makes clear that bariatric surgery "remains the most effective and durable treatment for obesity". Other studies point to the fact that surgery is often cheaper than GLP-1 treatment over a patient's lifetime, considering that patients would often have to remain on GLP-1s for an indefinite period at a cost of around USD 10,000 to USD 15,000 per annum.
At the American College of Surgeons' Clinical Congress last year, it was reported that, "long term, the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery is greater than that of GLP-1 RA weight loss drugs alone", but also raised the point that there may be some benefit in using the two treatments – surgery and weight-loss drugs – in combination, either before or after surgery. According to a study led by a general surgeon at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, "the critical role for these medications from a cost-effectiveness perspective is to use these medications to address weight regained after bariatric
THE ADVANCES IN WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS LIKE OZEMPIC AND THEIR WIDESPREAD AVAILABILITY HAVE DRIVEN MANY NON-DIABETIC PATIENTS TO CHOOSE THE SOFT OPTION TO TREAT THE EFFECTS OF OBESITY.
surgery."
LONG-TERM BURDENS ON HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS
The long-term efficacy of weight-loss drugs is a big unknown, but the early signs are not encouraging. Many countries face a ticking timebomb in the form of ageing populations, and if meaningful weight loss remains elusive after GLP-1 treatment, we could be carrying the burdens of obesity-related disease into old age. As the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) reports, the number of people over the age of 85 will have doubled in the two decades between 2015 and 2035. The prevalence of multiple co-morbidities becomes far more likely in this age group, leading to more complex healthcare requirements, a higher incidence of hospital admission and readmission, longer hospital stays and a marked drop in quality of life. As discussed above, the dangers of an added annuity liability from persistent obesity into old age will compound this problem. What's more, according to the NIHR, the growing number of obesity-related multiple morbidities in younger people will add to the healthcare burden as they grow older.
It's estimated that by 2035, 17% of over 65s will suffer from four or more conditions, and while life expectancy is set to rise by around 3.5 years for men and nearly 3 for women, there will be an increase in the number of years lived with co-morbidities and a reduction in years lived with just one co-morbidity or with none at all.
A DANGEROUS ANNUITY LIABILITY
The advances in weight-loss drugs and their widespread availability have driven many non-diabetic patients to choose the soft option to treat the effects of obesity. But with a growing body of evidence to suggest that GLP-1s, both in injection and tablet form, only keep weight off permanently when taken indefinitely, our failure to address obesity adequately – despite the headline success of GLP-1s – will have dire consequences for healthcare systems around the world.
The long-term health effects of obesity in ageing populations could create a financial liability that far exceeds current predictions and overwhelms healthcare systems. The worrying fact is, as life expectancy increases, people are spending more years with chronic illnesses and fewer years in good health. HCMEA
Urban Form, Health Outcomes
Why African Cities Must Be Designed for Wellbeing
BY FRIDAH CHEPKOECH
Menged Le Sew, meaning ‘Streets for People’ in Amharic, is a car-free day initiative that began in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in December 2018 and has since expanded to other Ethiopian cities. On this day, typically every last Sunday of each month, several kilometers of major roads are closed to motorized traffic from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., allowing residents to walk, cycle, and participate in community-led activities. This initiative promotes active mobility, public health, and inclusive urban design, while raising awareness on crucial environmental issues.
However, while Menged Le Sew has gained strong national momentum in Ethiopia and sparked regional dialogue through pilot programs and stakeholder exchanges in countries like South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, its replication across Africa remains limited. Hence the question: Are African cities structurally prepared to prioritize wellbeing at scale?
The United Nations estimates that by 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population will reside in urban areas, with Africa at the forefront of this transformation. But this rapid urbanisation is coming at a cost. Today, unregulated sprawl, traffic congestion, and deteriorating air quality are becoming defining features of many African cities, with direct consequences for public health.
This article examines how the design of African cities directly influences health outcomes, and why integrating wellbeing into urban planning is not only ethical but also economically strategic. Drawing on expert interviews and regional case studies, it outlines the policy levers and planning interventions needed to build “cities that heal”.
DESIGNING FOR HEALTH: WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
Dr. Kirigo Wachira, a medical doctor and climate–health specialist who coordinates programs at Climate & Health Connect, describes African cities as “incubators of multiple health crises.” From her clinical experience, the most pressing threats stem from air pollution – particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) – which penetrates deep into the lungs and bloodstream, triggering chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Among expectant mothers, polluted air is linked to hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, and stillbirth, while infants face impaired lung development and higher mortality rates.
Beyond air quality, Dr. Wachira highlights the rise of lifestyle-related noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, driven by sedentary living, poor diets, and lack of safe spaces for exercise.“Urban health,” she notes, “reflects the intersection of environmental hazards and systemic neglect of health-sensitive city design.”
From a spatial lens, Maryam Wangeshi, architect and coordinator of the UrbanBetter Nairobi Cityzens Hub, argues that “urban design is a public health intervention.” Her work mobilizes youth to collect environmental data and co-create healthier urban systems. Their campaigns, such as Clean Air Runs and pedestrian mapping, have directly informed Nairobi’s Air Quality Action Plan. “It determines who breathes clean air,
AMONG EXPECTANT MOTHERS, POLLUTED AIR IS LINKED TO HYPERTENSIVE DISORDERS, PRETERM BIRTH, AND STILLBIRTH, WHILE INFANTS FACE IMPAIRED LUNG DEVELOPMENT AND HIGHER MORTALITY RATES.
who walks safely, and who feels seen in the city,” she asserts.
Both experts emphasize the absence of safe, accessible public spaces as a silent epidemic. Lagos, Nigeria, in its densely populated district of Ajegunle, is a stark illustration of what happens when urban design neglects public health. A 2023 community health survey led by the University of Delta found significantly higher rates of childhood obesity and adult hypertension, alongside mental health complaints linked to constant noise, lack of privacy, and absence of recreational outlets.
With few green spaces and limited pedestrian infrastructure, residents, especially women and children, face daily exposure to traffic pollution, unsafe walking conditions, and overcrowded housing. The area’s built environment has become a barrier to wellbeing, reinforcing cycles of poor health and social exclusion.
POLICY LEVERS AND
PLANNING
INTERVENTIONS FOR HEALTHIER URBAN FORM
URBANBETTER NAIROBI
CITYZENS HUB
1. Reframing streets as public health infrastructure
Interestingly, more African cities are gradually recognizing the need for spaces where health, equity, and community life intertwine. Rwanda’s Kigali has emerged as a regional leader in reframing streets as public health infrastructure. Through its car-free zones, green corridors, and pedestrian-first planning, the city has reduced emissions, improved walkability, and fostered a culture of active living. Dr. Wachira describes this approach as “intentional integration of health into mobility planning,” aligning with the WHO’s Healthy Cities framework.
A similar ethos is visible in Ethiopia, where Menged Le Sew, as briefly outlined in the opening paragraph, transforms major roads into shared spaces for walking, cycling, and community engagement. Reflecting on this model, Wangeshi notes: “Addis Ababa’s Car-Free Sundays offer a powerful model - 12 corridors closed weekly, 29 monthly, reclaiming streets for walking, cycling, and community health.” Her reflection drives home the conclusion that “When streets are designed for people, not just cars, we unlock dignity and safety for the most vulnerable.”
2. Embedding health expertise in urban planning
Both experts advocate for dismantling silos between health and planning sectors. Dr. Wachira calls for embedding public
MARYAM WANGESHI, ARCHITECT
DR. KIRIGO WACHIRA COORDINATOR AT CLIMATE & HEALTH CONNECT
health professionals in urban planning teams: “We need epidemiologists at the table when zoning decisions are made.” This approach enables health impact assessments for new developments, prioritization of green space, and climateresilient infrastructure aligned with disease prevention. Wangeshi adds that architects and planners need to see health as a design outcome, not just a medical one. She emphasises the value of cross-sectoral training and joint planning frameworks that incorporate health considerations into every stage of urban development.
3. Scaling Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) strategies
Active mobility is another critical lever. In cities where sidewalks are broken or nonexistent, and crossings are dangerous or poorly lit, the daily journey becomes a health hazard. Wangeshi is unequivocal: “Sidewalks, shade, and safe crossings are not decorative; they’re essential for schoolchildren, vendors, and caregivers navigating the city on foot.” Kigali’s pedestrianfriendly redesigns offer a strong example, while Nairobi’s NonMotorized Transport strategy, though promising, still faces implementation gaps.
4. Decentralized and climate-responsive planning
Urban planning must adapt to both climate realities and public health vulnerabilities. Dr. Wachira’s work on climate-resilient health systems highlights the need for ventilation corridors, flood-adapted infrastructure, and green buffers. These features serve not only as environmental safeguards but also as public health interventions. Wangeshi advocates for decentralized planning and participatory mapping, where communities codesign the spaces they inhabit. “Top-down masterplans often miss the lived realities of informal settlements,” she explains.
5. Policy instruments for inclusive urban health
To bring these ideas to life, both experts converge on the need for enforceable, equity-driven policy instruments. Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) should be standard for new developments, while incentives can encourage developers to incorporate green spaces and active mobility features. Urban design codes must prioritize accessibility for children, elders, and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
Finally, robust monitoring frameworks are necessary to track health outcomes associated with spatial interventions, ensuring that policies not only exist on paper but also deliver measurable improvements in urban well-being. “We cannot afford to treat health as an afterthought,” Wachira insists. “It must be the blueprint.”
Evidence from Accra, Ghana, illustrates what this can look like in practice. Through the Urban Health Initiative, launched in 2018 and scaled up under the guidance of the WHO, city leaders addressed air pollution and household energy access, achieving tangible results. A switch to cleaner fuels, such as LPG and electricity, is estimated to have averted nearly 1,900 premature deaths. Meanwhile, transport reforms and investments in pedestrian infrastructure are projected to save tens of thousands more lives over the coming decades.
Additionally, a policy tracking framework introduced in 2023 enabled officials to monitor air quality and health indicators in real-time, adjust strategies in informal settlements, and strengthen collaboration across planning, health, and environmental departments. By embedding health as a central metric in governance, Accra has positioned itself as a model for adaptive and preventive urban design, demonstrating that when cities incorporate wellbeing into their design logic, they not only build healthier populations but also more resilient and equitable systems.
CONCLUSION: DESIGNING CITIES THAT HEAL
As African cities confront the dual pressures of rapid urbanization and widening health disparities, the imperative to design for wellbeing has never been clearer. The car-free corridors of Addis Ababa, alongside the walkable redesigns of Kigali and the Accra Urban Health Initiative, present a compelling blueprint that demonstrates how targeted planning reforms, ranging from clean energy transitions to active mobility infrastructure, can yield measurable health gains and foster adaptive urban governance.
Yet beyond metrics and frameworks lies a more profound truth about the spaces we inhabit. As Oscar Niemeyer, the visionary Brazilian architect behind Brasília’s iconic civic buildings and a pioneer of modernist design, once said, “I am not attracted to straight angles or to the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man. I am attracted to free-flowing, sensual curves – the curves we find in the mountains of my country, in the waves of the sea, in the body of the woman we love”. His words remind us that urban form is not merely functional but emotional, cultural, and deeply human. Designing for well-being means embracing this degree of complexity, fluidity, and care. Menged Le Sew! HCMEA
MANUFACTURING
INGREDIENTS FOCUS
Excipients In Tablet Medicine: The Silent Pillars Of Drug Formulation Pg.48
Faster, Smarter, Healthier: How Ai And Genomics Are Transforming Healthcare In The Middle East And Africa Pg.52
EDITOR’S PICK
India’s Pharmaceutical Industry: From The World’s Pharmacy To A Global Powerhouse In The Making Pg.56
COUNTRY FOCUS
Excipients In Tablet Medicine
The Silent Pillars Of Drug Formulation
BY ALPHONSE OKOTH
When you swallow a tablet, you rarely think about everything else in it besides the active drug. Yet the tablet you trust to dissolve at the right time, taste tolerably, and release medicine reliably owes as much to its excipients as it does to its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Excipients, once dismissed as “inert” fillers, are now recognized as functional enablers that determine manufacturability, patient experience, stability and, increasingly, therapeutic performance.
This article guides you through the workings of excipients, the changes in the market, the leading companies, and what the future holds, particularly for rapidly growing pharmaceutical sectors such as Asia and Africa.
WHAT EXCIPIENTS DO (AND WHY THAT MATTERS)
An excipient is any substance intentionally added to a drug formulation other than the API. In tablets, they serve many roles: diluents and fillers add bulk to tiny doses; binders hold the powder bed together; disintegrants enable the tablet to break apart in the gut; lubricants prevent sticking during compression; and coatings protect the tablet, mask its taste, or control its release.
Far from being pharmacologically active, modern excipients are often engineered for precise functions, improving solubility, controlling dissolution, or enabling novel release profiles. As Dr. Markus Fürst, CEO of BASF, noted, “Excipients are no longer just carriers. They determine whether a drug can be manufactured efficiently, whether it is stable, and whether it ultimately reaches the patient in the right form.”
These functions are essential: a poorly chosen excipient can render a perfectly effective API useless by slowing dissolution, promoting degradation, or causing manufacturing headaches.
WHO MAKES THEM: ESTABLISHED SUPPLIERS AND NEW CHALLENGERS
The excipient industry mixes global chemical majors, specialty ingredient companies and niche formulators. Longstanding
players include BASF, Evonik, Roquette, Ashland, DFE Pharma, Colorcon and others that provide a broad portfolio from basic diluents and binders to high-value functional coatings and solubility enhancers.
Smaller, specialized firms and CDMOs also compete on tailor-made excipient systems, co-processed products, and technical services that de-risk formulation development for pharma clients. Strategic partnerships between excipient suppliers and drugmakers, or between excipient makers and CDMOs, are common as companies try to shorten time-tomarket for novel formulations.
THE MARKET: GROWING, SPECIALIZED, AND MISSIONCRITICAL
The excipient market has shifted from a commodity chemicals sector to a technology-led one. Recent market reports put the global pharmaceutical excipients market in the multi-billion dollar range with robust mid-single-digit to low-single-digit CAGRs depending on the source and forecast horizon.
Analysts at MarketsandMarkets and related research houses estimate that the market will continue to expand sharply through the end of the decade as demand for generics,
complex oral formulations, and improved patient-centric dosing increases. One widely quoted projection predicts the market will approach roughly US$14–15 billion by 2030, with CAGRs in the ~5–7% band from mid-2020s baselines. These figures reflect both volume growth in oral solid dosage manufacturing and a shift toward higher-value, functional excipients.
Why the growth? Tablets and capsules remain the dominant global dosage forms because they are inexpensive, stable, and easy for patients to administer, a trend reinforced by the rising global demand for generics, chronic disease therapies, and outpatient care. As drugmakers convert blockbuster biologic and small-molecule innovations into patient-friendly oral regimens or reformulate older APIs with solubility and stability challenges, the need for tailored excipient solutions rises in step.
INNOVATION TRENDS: FUNCTIONAL AND COPROCESSED EXCIPIENTS
Two developments dominate R&D and purchasing decisions in excipients today. First, functional excipients, engineered ingredients that do more than fill space, are being used to address solubility, taste, bioavailability and controlled release. Examples include solubilizing agents, film coatings that enable delayed or extended release, and excipients that protect sensitive APIs during tableting or storage.
Their rise shifts excipients from passive carriers to active formulation tools. Analysts project that functional excipients will account for nearly half of new product launches by 2030,
LONGSTANDING PLAYERS INCLUDE BASF, DFE PHARMA, COLORCON AND OTHERS THAT PROVIDE A BROAD PORTFOLIO FROM BASIC DILUENTS AND BINDERS TO HIGHVALUE FUNCTIONAL COATINGS AND SOLUBILITY ENHANCERS.
with annual spending in this category expected to surpass US$7 billion by 2028.
Second, co-processed excipients, physically and/ or chemically combined excipient systems, are gaining traction because they provide balanced performance (e.g., flow, compressibility, disintegration) without the need for multiple separate additives. Co-processed excipients simplify manufacturing, reduce variability and can cut development time for new formulations.
Recent reviews and industry papers highlight co-processed excipients as a cost-effective route to faster scale-up and improved tablet performance, especially for oral fast-dissolving and immediate-release products. Market forecasts suggest that co-processed excipients will grow at a CAGR above 8% through 2030, outpacing the broader excipient market as demand for streamlined oral solid dosage manufacturing intensifies.
IN NUMBERS
REGULATORY AND SAFETY LANDSCAPE
US$7B
ANNUAL SPENDING FOR FUNCTIONAL EXCIPIENTS BY 2028
Regulators have tightened scrutiny of excipient quality, traceability and safety. While excipients are generally recognized as safe when used appropriately, formulation changes, novel excipient chemistry, and patient-centric innovations (e.g., pediatric taste masking or fixed-dose combinations) require robust data packages to support their safety and efficacy.
Manufacturers are increasingly treating excipients as controlled materials, implementing supplier audits, impurity profiling, and supplychain risk management. This practice raises procurement costs but reduces batch failures and recalls. Authorities now expect excipient information in submissions to support bioavailability and stability claims, and recent updates highlight the evolving landscape.
WHO TRS 1060 (2025): Annex 3 introduced updated Good Manufacturing Practices for excipients, including risk management protocols and guidance on high-risk excipients and contaminants.
EU Annex to Excipients Labelling Guidance (2024): Revision 4 added safety warnings and required labelling for five new excipients, with stricter rules for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.
India’s Drugs (2nd Amendment) Rules (2025):
Effective March 2026, Schedule H2 drugs must disclose the qualitative details of excipients on their labels, thereby improving transparency for providers and patients.
FDA enforcement: In 2025, the FDA issued warning letters over inadequate excipient testing, citing failures to screen glycerin and propylene glycol for diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) contamination.
These changes underscore that excipient oversight is moving closer to that of APIs, making compliance and transparency central to formulation and manufacturing strategy.
REGIONAL OUTLOOK: AFRICA, ASIA AND THE SUPPLY EQUATION
Growth is uneven but unmistakable. North America and Europe remain mature excipient markets, and emerging regions are gaining prominence.
Asia, led by India and China, remains a key production hub for generics and APIs, driving local demand for excipients and fostering the growth of regional excipient manufacturers and distributors. India’s export momentum and the growth of oral-solid dosage manufacturing create sustained demand for excipient innovation and reliable supply.
Meanwhile, Africa’s pharmaceutical market, though smaller, is expanding as countries
prioritize local manufacturing, partnerships and technology transfer; deals to localize production and capacity building (including manufacturing licensing agreements) are already reshaping supply chains on the continent.
With the African Union’s pharmaceutical manufacturing plan and investments in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, the continent is striving to reduce its import dependence. Local excipient production is still limited but growing. As Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, CEO and President of VillageReach and former Deputy Director General of the Africa CDC, observed, “Resilience in pharma requires building excipient capacity, not just API manufacturing.”
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has spurred investments in pharmaceuticals, with excipients forming part of the strategic supply chain. The UAE is also positioning itself as a hub for clinical trials and specialty formulations.
CHALLENGES, RISKS, AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR PHARMA
Despite optimism, excipient supply chains face significant headwinds, including raw-material volatility, regulatory tightening, and the need for more rigorous toxicology data on novel excipient chemistries. The global nature of supply means that geopolitical events, trade restrictions, or quality failures in one region can quickly ripple through production. Industry responses include dual sourcing, regional manufacturing investments, and vertical integration to build resilience.
For pharmaceutical manufacturers, these challenges translate directly into strategic decisions. Excipient choice now significantly influences time-to-market, regulatory success, and even competitive positioning, with proprietary or coprocessed excipients offering a key differentiation.
A board-level focus on excipient strategy reduces
downstream risk, ensures compliance, and strengthens partnerships with suppliers. For patients, this upstream diligence yields tangible benefits: safer, more effective, and more convenient medicines, from taste-masked pediatric syrups to smaller geriatric tablets and controlled-release regimens for chronic care.
LOOKING
AHEAD: 2025–2030 AND BEYOND
Expect the next five years to be defined by three key forces: the commoditization of basic excipients (driving down costs), the premiumization of functional/co-processed excipients (advancing up the value chain), and the geographic diversification of supply (spurred by regional manufacturing growth and resilience planning).
Market estimates anticipate continued expansion to the mid-teens billion-dollar range by the end of the decade, as generics, reformulations, and patient-centric dosing drive demand. For Africa and parts of Asia, localized manufacturing and licensing deals will create pockets of high growth, particularly for oral solid dosage forms, and will nudge some excipient production closer to the point of use.
Ultimately, excipients are no longer the invisible mass in a tablet. They are design elements and engineering components that determine whether a drug is stable, manufacturable, and patient-friendly. As the pharmaceutical industry pursues more complex formulations, personalized dosing and wider geographic access, excipients will shift from backstage players to co-designers of therapy.
Companies that invest in science-driven excipient selection, robust supply chains, and close supplier partnerships will be best positioned to turn formulation challenges into commercial wins and to deliver medicines that truly work for the patients who need them.
Faster, Smarter, Healthier
How Ai And Genomics Are Transforming
Healthcare In The Middle East And Africa
BY VICTOR ATSALI
In the Middle East and Africa, healthcare leaders face an operational challenge that carries life-or-death consequences: diagnostic delays. These bottlenecks slow down care delivery, inflate costs, and stretch resources thin in systems already under pressure. Genomics once promised to ease this burden with faster, more accurate insights, yet traditional sequencing and diagnostic pathways have often taken weeks or even months. For patients and hospitals alike, that timeline is too long.
As chronic, genetic, and infectious diseases continue to rise in prevalence, rapid diagnostics have become more than a clinical goal, they are an economic and strategic necessity. Each day saved on the diagnostic timeline means patients start treatment sooner, hospitals can turn over beds more efficiently, and scarce specialist expertise can be allocated more effectively. In markets where efficiency often determines competitiveness, diagnostic speed has become an operational lifeline.
The ripple effects of slow diagnostics extend across entire health systems: longer hospital stays, underutilized labs, delayed clinical decisions, and lost revenues. More leaders are realizing that solving these delays is not simply about improving care; it’s about ensuring long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive healthcare environment.
AI AND GENOMICS: THE DYNAMIC DUO OF MODERN MEDICINE
The convergence of artificial intelligence and next-generation genomics is now offering a breakthrough. AI-powered platforms can process vast and complex genomic datasets in record time, automating previously labor-intensive tasks such as variant detection and multi-data integration. At Abu Dhabi’s G42 Healthcare, this innovation has cut analysis times by up to 75%, turning processes that once took weeks into results delivered in hours.
This isn’t just a matter of speed, it’s about scale and accuracy. With AI, laboratories can expand their capacity,
handle more patient data, and minimize human error. Targeted sequencing driven by AI narrows the scope to clinically relevant regions of the genome, further trimming costs while ensuring meaningful insights. Across the Middle East, largescale government-backed genome projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain are fueling this transformation, creating rich databases that AI systems can leverage for faster, more accurate diagnostics.
In Africa, AI’s role extends beyond genomics. Predictive models are helping hospitals anticipate patient volumes, forecast disease outbreaks, and optimize supply chains. In regions where infrastructure is uneven, this kind of foresight can mean the difference between a controlled challenge and a full-blown crisis.
UNLOCKING EFFICIENCY AND COMPETITIVE EDGE
The integration of AI-enhanced genomics isn’t just revolutionizing clinical workflows; it’s delivering measurable business value. Faster diagnostics increase patient throughput, reduce expensive repeat testing, and allow better use of scarce, highly trained staff. For hospitals under budgetary strain, these gains can be transformative.
Quicker, more accurate diagnoses also mean earlier treatment starts, preventing costly late-stage interventions and reducing the length of hospital stays. This dual benefit, precision and speed, keeps costs down while enabling providers to serve more patients without expanding resources.
Equally important is the reputational and strategic advantage. Hospitals and clinics that embrace AI-genomics become magnets for investment, partnerships, and top talent.
PREDICTIVE MODELS ARE HELPING HOSPITALS ANTICIPATE PATIENT VOLUMES, FORECAST DISEASE OUTBREAKS, AND OPTIMIZE SUPPLY CHAINS IN REGIONS WHERE INFRASTRUCTURE IS UNEVEN.
Public-private collaborations across MEA are already building infrastructure to support scalable, region-specific genomics programs. Institutions that move early are positioning themselves as leaders, not followers.
Examples from Africa illustrate the point. In Kenya, smartphone-based AI tools are drastically cutting diagnostic delays in cervical cancer screening, especially in rural areas. In Nigeria, startups are using AI to detect birth asphyxia within minutes, saving lives during the most critical window. In South Africa, biotech companies are integrating genomic and biometric data to offer personalized health programs at scale. These are not isolated stories, they signal a broader shift toward innovation-led competitiveness.
FROM OPERATIONS TO OUTCOMES: TECHNOLOGY THAT SAVES LIVES
Operational efficiency and cost savings matter, but ultimately, the promise of AI and genomics lies in better patient outcomes.
Faster and more precise diagnostics make personalized medicine a reality, helping tailor treatment plans to each patient’s unique genetic profile. For conditions like cancer, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases, this precision is not just valuable, it’s vital.
Africa’s public health programs showcase this potential. The Africa CDC’s Pathogen Genomics Initiative uses AI to identify and track infectious outbreaks, giving governments the ability to respond with speed and accuracy. Predictive models are flagging high-risk patients before their conditions escalate, reducing hospital readmissions and improving survival rates.
Mobile health technologies powered by AI are also extending chronic disease monitoring into rural and underserved areas. When combined with genomics, these tools ensure that treatments are not only accessible but also tailored to the genetic diversity of African populations. This approach improves drug effectiveness, reduces adverse reactions, and builds patient trust in healthcare systems.
PROOF IN PRACTICE: REGIONAL AND GLOBAL SUCCESS STORIES
The transformative impact of AI and genomics in healthcare depends heavily on accessible, high-performance diagnostic technology. The recently launched Illumina MiSeq™ i100 Plus platform exemplifies this, delivering rapid sequencing with minimal operational complexity. Its fast turnaround time, sequencing runs as short as four hours, and integrated data analysis capabilities allow rapid, reliable results even in resource-constrained environments.
Kenya’s leading institutions including KAVI and KEMRI
have fully integrated the MiSeq i100 Plus to expedite critical public health programs: accelerating cervical cancer screening with AI-enabled mobile diagnostics, enhancing tuberculosis drug resistance profiling via whole genome sequencing, and strengthening viral outbreak surveillance.
Beyond Kenya, tangible advancements have been made in Nigeria, where health innovators deploy Illumina’s NextSeq systems alongside AI-driven analytics to reduce diagnostic times for neonatal conditions like birth asphyxia, substantially improving survival rates. In South Africa, academic and biotech institutions actively use Illumina NGS platforms, including NextSeq and NovaSeq systems, combined with AI in precision oncology and chronic disease management programs, facilitating personalized treatments tailored to genetic and environmental contexts.
The African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) in Nigeria utilizes Illumina MiSeq and NextSeq platforms to conduct real-time pathogen genomic surveillance, critical in managing outbreaks of diseases such as Lassa fever and COVID-19. Meanwhile, South Africa’s genomics initiatives, supported by advanced Illumina sequencing technologies, deliver pivotal data for vaccine development and antimicrobial resistance monitoring.
Globally, similarly cutting-edge deployments reinforce the model: the U.S.-based Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center leverages Illumina NovaSeq systems integrated with AI analytics to compress biopsy-to-treatment turnaround, while the UK’s Genomics England program efficiently diagnoses rare genetic disorders using Illumina’s high-throughput sequencing platforms. These real-world examples underscore how next-generation AI-genomics technologies, exemplified by Illumina’s growing footprint, are vital to accelerating diagnostics and advancing precision medicine across diverse settings.
THE LEADERSHIP IMPERATIVE: PREPARING FOR A DATA-DRIVEN FUTURE
For healthcare executives in the Middle East and Africa, AIpowered genomics is no longer a futuristic concept; it is a strategic necessity. As demand for precision medicine rises, institutions that fail to adopt these technologies risk being left behind. Reducing diagnostic delays is not simply about catching up, it is about setting the pace for the future.
National strategies across the region increasingly integrate AI and genomics into modernization agendas. Early adopters gain clear advantages: access to funding, partnerships with global research institutions, and opportunities to participate in pioneering clinical trials. Those who hesitate may struggle to catch up as the innovation gap widens.
The central question for leaders today is not if AI and genomics will transform healthcare, but how quickly their organizations can adapt. Institutions that embrace this shift will not only improve patient outcomes but also strengthen their resilience, efficiency, and competitiveness in a healthcare market that is becoming increasingly data-driven. HCMEA
COUNTRY FOCUS INDIA
BY ALPHONSE OKOTH
Walk into a pharmacy in Nairobi, Johannesburg, or New York and there’s a good chance the medicine on the shelf has roots in India. Over the past four decades, the country has earned its title as the “pharmacy of the world,” supplying affordable generics that keep healthcare systems running and save millions of lives each year. Today, Indian firms account for more than 20% of global generics, with exports stretching across the United States, Africa, and Latin America.
But the story is changing. Once viewed primarily as a low-cost manufacturing hub, India is repositioning itself as a strategic player in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), biologics, biosimilars, and complex generics.
Behind this shift are billions in new investments, ambitious government incentives, and a clear push to reduce reliance on China for raw materials. The key question is no longer whether India can supply the world, but whether it can shape the future of global pharmaceuticals.
THE SCALE OF A GIANT
India is the third-largest pharmaceutical producer in the world by volume. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Pharmexcil, India is the thirdlargest pharmaceutical producer in the world by volume. In FY2024–25 alone, pharma exports stood at US$30.47 billion, as reported by the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council
of India, cementing the country’s role in global healthcare supply chains.
The industry is also a massive domestic force. Valued at US$50 billion in 2023, India’s pharmaceutical market is projected to grow to US$130 billion by 2030, driven by rising healthcare needs, government initiatives, and a burgeoning middle class seeking better healthcare solutions. The sector directly employs over 3 million people and indirectly sustains millions more through its vast supply and distribution networks.
Yet, beneath the scale lies vulnerability. For decades, India has relied heavily on China for APIs and chemical intermediates, the backbone of drug production. When COVID-19 disrupted Chinese supply chains, Indian manufacturers felt the tremors instantly. That shock has since reshaped both government policy and corporate strategy.
THE INDUSTRY TITANS
The story of Indian pharma is also the story of its giants. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries leads the pack, boasting a powerful presence in the US generics market and a growing specialty portfolio. Divi’s Laboratories has built a global reputation in APIs and custom synthesis, underpinning India’s upstream ambitions.
Cipla stands out in respiratory therapies and maintains strong ties to African markets, while Dr. Reddy’s has carved out a diverse footprint across generics, biosimilars, and
contract services. Rising stars such as Torrent Pharma and Mankind Pharma are making waves in formulations and specialty drugs, injecting fresh energy into the sector.
THE INVESTMENT WAVE
Step into an industrial park in Gujarat or Telangana, and the evidence of change is visible: scaffolding, new plant foundations, API units rising. India’s pharmaceutical industry is experiencing its largest surge of investment in decades, driven by both state-led initiatives and private sector initiatives.
This surge has attracted a wave of investment and development. The government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, launched in 2021, has grounded nearly ₹25,813 crore (US$3.1–3.4 billion) in investments by September 2023, creating more than 56,000 jobs.
Additionally, 26 applicants for medical device manufacturing have been approved for 138 products under the PLI scheme with a financial outlay of US$411 million. Complementing this, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) achieved sales of US$119 million in October 2024, reflecting the government’s parallel focus on affordable access.
Foreign investors have been equally active. The FDI equity inflow in drugs and pharmaceuticals reached US$23.41 billion between April 2000 and March 2025. Japanese firms have also been invited to partner in stabilizing global supply chains, particularly for APIs and medical devices. Sanofi, for instance, announced a US$435 million investment to expand its Global Capability Center in Hyderabad, underscoring India’s importance to multinational R&D.
INDIA’S ROLE REMAINS INTACT, BUT THE FUTURE HINGES ON MOVING BEYOND LOWMARGIN GENERICS. PROGRESS IN COMPLEX
GENERICS, AND CONTRACT MANUFACTURING PROMISES HIGHER RETURNS.
PRIVATE-SECTOR DEALS AND M&A ACTIVITY ARE EQUALLY VIBRANT.
In Q1 2024 alone, 24 M&A deals worth US$456.3 million were announced. Torrent Pharmaceuticals’ acquisition of JB Chemicals, valued at US$3 billion, and Sun Pharma’s US$355 million acquisition of U.S.-based Checkpoint Therapeutics highlight the scale of corporate bets. Alongside, Cipla gained CDSCO approval for marketing the novel antibiotic plazomicin, while Lupin launched the world’s first fixed-dose triple combination COPD drug in 2023.
Smaller yet significant moves include MedGenome’s stake in GenX Diagnostics, Emcure’s launch of Orofer FCM 750, and Glenmark’s introduction of Zita for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. These illustrate the ecosystem’s diversity, from diagnostics to specialty formulations.
Greenfield projects are equally crucial: in March 2024,
IN NUMBERS
the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers inaugurated 27 bulk drug park projects and 13 medical device plants, demonstrating the government's capacity expansion efforts. FDI norms remain liberal, with up to 100% automatic route approval for Greenfield projects and 74% for Brownfield, beyond which government clearance applies.
COMPARATIVELY, INDIA’S INVESTMENT CLIMATE IS DISTINCTIVE.
The U.S. relies on strong venture capital flows and public-private partnerships to drive biotech innovation. In contrast, China has implemented massive state subsidies and industrial parks designed explicitly for APIs and biologics.
India’s approach blends state-led policy incentives (PLI, PRIP, bulk drug parks) with a liberal FDI regime and a vibrant M&A market. The result is a hybrid model: state-backed investments secure long-term resilience, while private and foreign deals accelerate value capture in high-growth niches.
BALANCING AFFORDABILITY AND AMBITION
Pharmaceutical policy in India has always carried a dual burden: ensuring that medicines remain affordable for the 1.4 billion citizens while
fostering a globally competitive industry. At the heart of this balancing act lies price control. Essential medicines are capped under the Drug Prices Control Order, guaranteeing public access but compressing company margins. For firms investing heavily in new facilities and advanced research, the trade-off is real.
At the same time, regulators such as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) are tightening quality norms and aligning more closely with international standards. This means higher compliance costs but also stronger credibility in export markets. “The tension is between affordability at home and competitiveness abroad,” notes a senior industry executive. “It forces companies to innovate not just in R&D but in cost structures and business models.”
India’s pharmaceutical regulation is now undergoing rapid modernization. The CDSCO has been bolstering compliance with global norms, particularly after increased scrutiny from the U.S. FDA and EU regulators. The Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023, seeks to replace the outdated 1940 law with stricter quality controls, tougher penalties for non-compliance, and a stronger framework for biologics and medical devices.
Compared to the U.S. FDA’s highly codified system with rigorous clinical oversight or the
India Pharmaceutical Market (US$ Billion)
EU’s centralized European Medicines Agency (EMA) model with strict pharmacovigilance rules, India is moving closer to these global benchmarks. Still, enforcement consistency and transparency in inspections remain critical gaps.
The government is also pushing harmonization with international standards through faster drug approval pathways, digital monitoring systems, and long-term strategies such as “Pharma Vision 2030.”
INDIA AND THE WORLD: A TWO-WAY STREET
India’s role as the world’s pharmacy remains intact, but the future hinges on moving beyond low-margin generics. Progress in complex generics, biosimilars, and contract manufacturing promises higher returns.
Partnerships with multinationals, ranging from vaccine collaborations to biosimilar licensing, mark a new phase of twoway engagement: India provides scale, while global partners bring advanced pipelines.
Yet vulnerabilities linger. More than 60% of India’s bulk drug imports once came from China, a dependence the government is now racing to dilute. Diversification is key if India is to secure its supply chains and maintain credibility as a reliable global hub.
CHASING INNOVATION
For decades, India’s strength lay in reverse engineering and process innovation rather than in original drug discovery. Developing a new molecule requires billions in R&D and
years of clinical trials, a risk that most Indian companies have avoided.
But the landscape is shifting. Vaccine leaders, such as the Serum Institute of India, have built world-class R&D platforms, while Biocon has emerged as a pioneer in biosimilars. Cipla and Dr. Reddy’s are expanding into specialty therapies, and global partnerships are providing Indian firms with access to cuttingedge research pipelines.
Still, India lags far behind the U.S. and Europe in the development of breakthrough molecules. For now, the innovation story is likely to be about incremental advances, complex formulations, and biosimilars, not blockbuster discoveries.
THE ROAD AHEAD
India’s pharmaceutical sector is a cornerstone of global healthcare, supplying affordable medicines while aiming for higher-value innovation. Chronic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer will drive future demand. With Pharma Vision 2030, faster drug approvals, and expanded access to generics, the country is poised for expansion.
India has already achieved the improbable: becoming the world’s leading supplier of generics. The next decade will decide if it can scale the next peak, transforming into a true global powerhouse in innovation and manufacturing.
The ambition is clear, the momentum undeniable. Whether affordability and ambition can coexist will shape not just India’s future, but the future of global healthcare. HCMEA
India’s largest pharma giant, with a dominant U.S. generics presence and an expanding specialty drugs portfolio. Sun Pharma leads in oncology, dermatology, and chronic therapies, shaping global trends in affordable and advanced medicines.
Global leader in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and custom synthesis. Supplies critical raw materials to top multinational drugmakers, playing a crucial role in reducing dependency on imports and ensuring resilient global supply chains.
Known for pioneering affordable HIV/AIDS drugs, Cipla has expanded globally with strong respiratory and cardiovascular portfolios. Its partnerships across Africa and emerging markets strengthen India’s role as the “pharmacy of the developing world.”
A leader in specialty formulations, Torrent is recognized for its expertise in cardiovascular, central nervous system, and gastroenterology drugs. Aggressive acquisitions and steady exports strengthen its position as a fastgrowing force in the global generics and specialty medicines market.
Focused on India’s domestic market, Mankind excels in affordable formulations and over-the-counter (OTC) products. Its strong consumer health presence and rapid growth in chronic therapies make it a unique blend of pharma and FMCG strengths.
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited
Diversified player with operations across generics, biosimilars, and APIs. With a strong R&D base and increasing contract research, Dr. Reddy’s continues to innovate in specialty drugs and expand its footprint in the U.S. and Europe.
Innovator in vaccines, biosimilars, and generics, Zydus is recognized for developing India’s indigenous COVID-19 vaccine. It continues to expand its international presence while building a strong pipeline in oncology, biologics, and specialty therapies.
Among the top U.S. generics suppliers, Lupin excels in the production of cardiovascular, anti-infective, and respiratory drugs. The company focuses on complex generics, biosimilars, and women’s health, with a growing footprint in regulated and emerging markets.
Pharma Limited
A key global generics exporter, Aurobindo, is highly diversified across APIs, injectables, and oral solids. Its robust pipeline of U.S. FDA approvals and cost-efficient manufacturing has made it a trusted partner in global supply chains.
Known for anti-infectives and chronic therapies, Alkem has built a balanced domestic and international business. Its investments in R&D and specialty drugs ensure steady growth, while exports strengthen its standing in regulated markets worldwide.
Zydus Lifesciences Limited
U.S. scientists develop magnet-controlled soft metamaterial for safer medical devices
USA - Researchers at Rice University have developed a groundbreaking soft metamaterial that can change its size and shape under remote magnetic control, offering a safer and more versatile platform for ingestible and implantable medical devices.
The innovation, led by Yong Lin Kong, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Rice’s George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, combines unusual flexibility with remarkable strength.
Unlike conventional soft structures, the new metamaterial is both stable and deformable on command.
Metamaterials derive their unique properties from geometry rather than chemistry. Rice’s design withstands compressive loads more than 10 times its weight while maintaining performance in extreme temperatures and corrosive environments, conditions similar to the acidic human stomach.
The key lies in “programmed multistability.” Kong’s team integrated trapezoidal supports and reinforced beams that create an energy barrier, locking the structure into a new form even after the external magnetic force is removed.
Constructed using 3D-printed molds, the metamaterial features tilted beams and supporting segments that allow it to switch between open and closed states.
Once triggered, the transformation remains in place, imparting the structure with memory. Linking unit cells produced larger, more complex 3D architectures capable of motions such as peristaltic waves, helpful in transporting fluids or moving within the body.
This soft, adaptable approach addresses risks often linked with rigid devices, including ulcers, punctures, and inflammation.
Tests showed that the material continued to function after prolonged exposure to stress and acidic corrosion.
“The metamaterial makes it possible to remotely control the size and shape of devices inside the body,” said Kong.
“This could enable lifesaving applications such as targeted drug delivery, precise device placement, or applying controlled mechanical forces deep inside the body.”
Philips Launches AIPowered Ultrasound Platform, Transcend Plus
THE NETHERLANDS — Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, has launched Transcend Plus, an advanced version of its EPIQ CVx and Affiniti CVx cardiovascular ultrasound systems.
This new platform features significant improvements in image quality and artificial intelligence (AI), including FDAcleared enhancements for both 2D and 3D imaging as well as an expanded range of AI-powered clinical tools.
Designed to meet growing demands in cardiac care, such as increased patient numbers, more complex cases, and staff shortages, Transcend Plus helps cardiology teams work more efficiently while delivering fast and consistent results without sacrificing image clarity or diagnostic support.
David Handler, Philips’ Business Leader for Cardiology Ultrasound, highlighted that this upgrade represents a major step forward by providing clinicians with AI-driven tools that boost confidence and speed decision-making throughout the heart care process.
The system sharpens and improves contrast and detail in ultrasound images, even in challenging cases, which enhances diagnostic accuracy.
It also introduces the 2D Auto EF Advanced feature that supports contrast imaging and helps in precisely measuring cardiac function.
Transcend Plus offers 26 FDA-cleared AI applications, the highest number in cardiovascular ultrasound, fully integrated into both the EPIQ and Affiniti CVx systems.
These AI tools streamline workflows and improve accuracy in diverse settings, from echo labs to outpatient clinics, enabling faster and more dependable patient assessments.
The platform delivers reliable left ventricular function evaluations, crucial for diagnosing many heart conditions, by minimizing operator variability and supporting both contrast and non-contrast imaging.
Transcend Plus supports care in busy medical environments by automating routine tasks with AI, allowing for rapid, informed clinical decisions.
Philips ultrasound systems worldwide perform about 1.33 billion diagnostic and interventional procedures annually, assisting over 654 million patients.
The Transcend Plus will be demonstrated live at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025 in Madrid and the American Society of Echocardiography meeting in Nashville, providing healthcare professionals with hands-on experience of its innovations.
Stryker, Siemens Healthineers join forces to develop neurovascular robotic system
GERMANY — Stryker and Siemens Healthineers have announced a strategic partnership to develop a nextgeneration robotic system capable of performing both elective and emergency neurovascular procedures, including treatments for strokes and aneurysms.
The collaboration will integrate system design, access devices, implant technologies, imaging for robotic navigation, and workflow optimization, combining Siemens Healthineers’ expertise in robotics and advanced imaging with Stryker’s leadership in neurovascular devices.
“Our focus is on building an ecosystem that unites image guidance, robotics, and device technologies to help physicians deliver faster, more precise care,” said Carsten Bertram, head of advanced therapies at Siemens Healthineers.
Strokes are the world’s secondleading cause of death and third-
leading cause of disability in adults, underscoring the urgent demand for more efficient interventions.
Current neurovascular procedures often require physicians to manage multiple systems and tools, creating complexity and delaying care in timesensitive situations.
The companies aim to streamline these procedures, enhancing precision and reducing physician workload. This, they say, could lead to improved outcomes for patients facing both complex hemorrhagic events and acute ischemic strokes.
“Together, we are taking an important step toward transforming how neurovascular procedures are performed – and ultimately, working to improve outcomes for patients worldwide,” added Jim Marucci, president of Stryker’s neurovascular division.
The initial phase of the partnership
will focus on co-developing an integrated ecosystem and validating its clinical value with leading physicians. The move reflects a broader trend of robotics integration in specialized procedures.
In July, Olympus partnered with Revival Healthcare Capital to launch a company dedicated to robotic gastrointestinal treatments.
Last year, Siemens Healthineers also joined forces with Medtronic to combine its Multitom Rax robotic X-ray system with Medtronic’s AiBLE suite for spine surgery.
LG introduces FDA-cleared 4K monitor for surgical workflows
UAE — LG Electronics (LG) has introduced its new 31.5-inch 4K surgical monitor, the model 32HS710S, designed to improve surgical workflows by delivering clear and detailed images.
With a sharp 4K resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, the monitor enables surgeons and medical staff to view precise visuals during procedures.
The 32HS710S recently received FDA 510(k) clearance, allowing it to be marketed in the United States.
This monitor offers several features designed to enhance ease of use and operational efficiency in demanding operating room environments.
Users can independently configure picture mode settings for each input source, allowing them to display images from multiple devices with clarity tailored to specific needs.
Quick-access hotkeys let users switch between preferred screen modes and Picture-by-Picture layouts with just one button press.
The 4K IPS display ensures consistent, accurate colour reproduction and sharp image quality from wide viewing angles.
With brightness reaching up to 800 cd/m² and covering approximately 95% of the DCI-P3 color spectrum, the monitor delivers vivid, precise visuals.
Compliant with the DICOM standard, the 32HS710S reliably displays medical imaging data from various sources.
To maintain image clarity even under bright surgical lights, the screen features durable optical bonding glass with coatings that reduce glare, reflections, and fingerprints.
Built to withstand tough operating
room conditions, the monitor features an IP45 rating on the front, an IP32 rating on the back, and IK06 impact resistance.
Weighing roughly 9.2 kilograms (about 20.3 pounds), it mounts easily on various surgical monitor arms for flexible positioning.
To ensure smooth operation during procedures, the 32HS710S features a Failover Input Switch that automatically switches to a backup video source in the event of a primary input failure.
It supports versatile viewing options, such as four-screen Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture, allowing simultaneous monitoring of multiple image streams.
Additional features include Mirror and Rotation Modes for adjusting image orientation, and Clone Screen output to support training and collaboration.
Eli Lilly launches Lilly TuneLab AI Platform to boost biotech drug discovery
USA — Eli Lilly and Company has launched Lilly TuneLab, an artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) platform designed to help biotech firms accelerate drug discovery.
This platform provides access to advanced drug discovery models developed from decades of Lilly’s extensive research data.
The proprietary data behind these AI models is valued at over 1 billion USD, making it one of the industry’s most substantial datasets available for biotech use.
Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific officer and president of Lilly Research Laboratories and Immunology, explained that the company has spent many years building comprehensive, high-quality datasets to support drug discovery efforts.
Through Lilly TuneLab, Lilly is now sharing these resources to foster innovation across the biotech sector.
The platform intends to give smaller biotech companies access to sophisticated AI tools previously reserved for Lilly’s own scientists.
Lilly TuneLab uses a wide range of Lilly’s experimental data, including drug disposition, safety, and preclinical testing information, constructed from hundreds of thousands of unique molecules.
In return for access, biotech partners contribute their own training data, enabling continuous improvement of the AI models and benefiting the entire biotech community.
The platform operates on a privacy-focused system called federated learning, allowing companies to use Lilly’s AI models without exposing their proprietary data while protecting Lilly’s sensitive information.
Lilly TuneLab was developed in collaboration with leading global technology providers and AI experts to ensure optimal performance and security.
Future plans include expanding the platform with new features such as in vivo small molecule predictive models, available exclusively through Lilly TuneLab.
The platform is part of Lilly’s broader Catalyze360 initiative, which offers strategic investments, access to advanced lab facilities, and expert drug development support.
Nisha Nanda, Group Vice President of Lilly Catalyze360, noted that many early-stage biotechs lack access to large, quality datasets essential for effective AI in drug discovery.
Lilly TuneLab aims to close this gap by making these resources accessible, helping partners discover new insights, improve early development decisions, and increase their chances of success.
European scientists unveil AI Model forecasting over 1,000 diseases decades ahead
EUROPE — Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Cambridge have developed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence model capable of predicting susceptibility to more than 1,000 diseases decades in advance.
The system, named Delphi-2M, uses a generative AI architecture similar to large language models but adapted to process healthcare data.
Trained on anonymized records from 400,000 participants in the UK Biobank, Delphi was then successfully tested on data from 1.9 million patients in the Danish National Patient Registry.
Remarkably, despite never being trained on Danish data, the model delivered highly accurate results.
“Our model is proof of concept that AI can learn long-term health patterns and generate meaningful predictions,” said Ewan Birney, EMBL’s interim executive director. “We were surprised at how well it transferred from the UK to Denmark.”
Published in Nature, the study shows Delphi matching or exceeding the accuracy of existing condition-specific tools, such as QRisk for heart disease.
It performed best on illnesses with consistent progression, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and sepsis, while proving less effective for rare congenital disorders and conditions triggered by unpredictable external factors.
Although Delphi could take five to ten years to reach routine clinical use for individuals, it is expected to be valuable much sooner for population-level forecasting.
“It can help predict how many people will suffer from heart attacks, cancers, or diabetes and guide treatment planning,” explained Moritz Gerstung, head of AI at the German Cancer Research Center.
Researchers are now working to integrate genetic and protein data, though Delphi’s performance with clinical records alone has already exceeded expectations. The team has patented key innovations and is exploring commercialization options.
Experts hailed the development as a step toward scalable, interpretable, and ethically responsible predictive modeling in medicine.
