Dr. Amit N. Thakker is a high-level healthcare expert with 30+ years’ experience in health service delivery, health financing and health policy formulation. A visionary entrepreneur & an industry captain, Dr. Amit N. Thakker, has been a ground breaking pioneer in the integration of private sector within the health system in Africa. Dr. Amit has managed several health businesses in service delivery and insurance in African countries including Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and South Africa.

He is the Executive Chairman of Africa Health Business, President of Africa Healthcare Federation and serves as a Director with LumiraDx & Ghanima Limited. In his role as the Chairman of Africa Health Business, Dr. Amit plays an advisory role on various projects that are implemented by AHB. He has played an advisory role in the Grand Challenges Canada projects that AHB has been implementing in the area of capacity building of organisations.

He has previously served on the boards of AMREF Flying doctors, Seven Seas Ltd, Momentum Africa and Africa Medical Investments Inc, Avenue Healthcare and Canon Metropolitan Insurance Company Ltd. Dr. Amit is an active member of several institutions including international business group YPO Gold at the Nairobi Chapter, Chairs the University of Nairobi Alumni Medical Chapter, & sits as an advisor to Africa Public Health Foundation as well as to Asia Africa Investing & Consulting ltd

Dr. Thakker founded Avenue Healthcare in 1995, implementing a successful HMO model. Avenue Healthcare is a Kenyan based integrated private health service provider. This success led him to receive the “Best Male Entrepreneur of the year” award by Rotary International in 1999. Avenue Group currently operates 2 hospitals and 18 clinics in Kenya. He also won the “Best CEO” award by Titans Global in the Business & Professional Services category in 2017 & proudly received the Chairman’s Award by Kenya Medical Association in 2004. Dr. Amit has been a project lead on projects for several health partners such as IntraHealth, UNFPA, World Bank, GIZ and others.

Education:
• eMBA from NIA- India
• Health Leadership training from George Washington University – USA
• Bachelor’s Degree in medicine and Surgery obtained at University of Nairobi-Kenya

Languages: English, Kiswahili, Gujarati and Hindi

Marloes Kibacha has more than 10 years’ experience in healthcare research, consultancy and advisory services in Africa. She has strong and extensive network in the wider African and East African (private) healthcare space in particular.

Marloes previously worked for the Kenya Healthcare Federation (Kenya) and the Investment Fund for Health in Africa (the Netherlands). Marloes has also worked with other organizations including: Palladium, Swedfund, WorldBank, PharmAccess Foundation, Sanofi, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi, UNFPA, Malteser International, IBM, BroadReach Healthcare, Abt. Associates and others. Marloes’ s area of expertise is in capacity building having provided overall oversight for projects such as the Grand Challenges Canada project where AHB was supporting innovators to build their internal capacity and strengthen their governance in order to transition to scale.

Education:
• Master’s in social sciences (Public Administration and Organizational Sciences)
• Bachelor of Science (Cultural Anthropology and Sociology of non-Western cultures) obtained at Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
• Certificate in Proficiency in (health) insurance obtained from the College of Insurance, Nairobi – Kenya.

Languages: Dutch, English, Kiswahili, German and French

A pharmaceutical professional with over 13 years experience in strategic planning, business development, team leadership, and management of key stakeholder relationships in health.Over the course of her career, Daniella has focused on quality management systems for the health supply chain, as well as organizational regulatory compliance.

Daniella is currently Head of Consultancy at Africa Health Business. Armed with a strong passion for equitable health for all, Daniella is now involved in policy recommendations and idea mobilization in the pharmaceutical sector, towards attainment of universal healthcare coverage.

Education:
• Moi University – Master of Science (M.Sc.), Public Health (Epidemiology) – ongoing
• University of Nairobi – Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.)

Languages: English and Kiswahili

Puja Tank is AHBs Head of Corporate Affairs reports directly to the Chairman and is the primary coordinator and liaison for external relations. She is a senior manager with 17+ years of experience managing marketing, new business, organizing events, operations, and financial functions She oversees responding to requests, collaborates on communications, business development and public relations activities and initiatives. Puja also handles planning and execution of all financial processes, administration activities and Human Resource management. In addition, she co-manages AHBs high level networking events, business delegation trips and (international) engagements.

Puja worked as the Executive Coordinator of Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF) and Citi Bank before joining AHB.

Education:
• Diploma in Business Management and Administration from the College of Professional Management, Nairobi, Kenya
• Communications in Business and Management and Computers in Modern Management from the College of Professional Management, Nairobi, Kenya.

Languages: English, Kiswahili, Gujarati and Hindi

Simon Mburu has a cumulative experience of over 20 years in financial management, donor reporting, operations, logistics, procurement, budgets and budgetary management, human resources, and general administration. Over the years he has supported different institutions in these roles at SMT level. including several years of experience in preparation and reviewing of request for proposal (RFP) budgets from different sponsors and projects.

Education
• Certificate in Leadership and Management in Health from University of Washington (USA)
• Certificate Course in Bioethics and Research Ethics from the University of Nairobi/KNH (Kenya)
• MBA in International Business from the United States International University (USIU) (Kenya)
• Certified Public Accountant from the Institute of Certified Public Accounts of Kenya (Kenya)
• Certificate in Management, Finance and Logistics from the International Management Development Programme in collaboration with Havard Business Publishing. (Thailand)
• Bachelors of Finance from the United States International University (USIU) (Kenya)
• USAID training from CPM Maryland USA (Kenya)

Languages: English, Swahili

A motivated Pharmacist, passionate about patient-centred healthcare and the role of the pharmacist in clinical care and research. Dr. Anyango has a demonstrated history of working
in the hospital, pharmaceutical and general healthcare industry, with acquired skills in clinical research, clinical pharmacy, regulatory affairs, project management and business development.

Education:
• University of Nairobi – Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
• Strathmore University- Supply Chain Transformation

Languages: English and Swahili

Dr. Hinjal Bhatia is a Project Manager at AHB. She is a healthcare professional with over 6 years of experience in the public healthcare setup in Kenya which have equipped her with instrumental competencies including tackling political, cultural issues and working with limited resources. Despite those challenges, she has provided leadership in redefining pharmaceutical care innovative solutions that exceeded the hospitals goals, positively impacted the health of people in Kilifi and taken the healthcare to a new level in Kenya. She loves challenges especially where she can use her intellect, strategic thinking, and creativity to bring about positive changes.

Prior to joining AHB, she worked for Kilifi County Government where she headed the Pharmacy department and was the founder of the Medication Therapy Management Clinic. Previously, she worked as a consultant with STEMA, United Kingdom and United Health Futures, Switzerland where she focused on pioneering new  approaches to community health and sustainable development in communities across Kenya.

Education:
• Master of Science in Global Health and Development from University College London
• Bachelor of Pharmacy from Manipal University

• Certificate in Fundamentals of Global Health Research from University of Washington

• Certificate in Senior Management from Kenya School of Government.

Languages: English and Swahili

Anne is a Business Development Manager with over 12 years of experience in client service and business development. Anne is passionate about developing and implementing projects that bring value regarding client engagement. She facilitates projects that support the business in implementing their strategic plans through client management and feedback.

Anne’s expertise lies in identifying, qualifying, and securing business opportunities, coordinating business generation activities and developing customized targeted sales strategies. At AHB, Anne is responsible for understanding client needs and offering solutions and support; answering potential client questions and follow-up call questions and responding to client requests for proposals. Anne previously worked at Deloitte in Clients and Industries before joining AHB.

Education:
• Master Business Administration (Marketing) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture
and Technology
• Bachelor of Education at the University of Nairobi
• Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing

Languages: English and Swahili

Elkana Onguti is the former Chief Economist and Head of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Health in Kenya. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the health sector. He was responsible for Policy and strategic planning, including budget preparation to the Ministry of Health and the Health Sector. He co-ordinated the development of Kenya Health Policy (2014-30); Development of the Medium-Term Plan for the Vision 2030 (2018 – 2022); The National Health Sector Strategic Plan (2013-18 and 2018 – 2023).

He was involved in the development of the Partnership Coordination Framework in Health that included donor organisations, private sector and ivil Society Organizations. He co-ordinated partnerships in the health sector, including Public Private Partnerships initiatives.

Education:
• Making Decentralization work: Tools for Health Policy Makers and Managers from the Havard School of Public Health, (USA)
• Certificate in Global Flagship Course on Health Systems Strengthening and Sustainable Financing: The Challenge in UHC from the WorldBank
• Certificate in International Approaches to Health Financing and Health Insurance in Africa from InWent Germany
• Fellowship in Health Financing from InWent (Germany)
• Masters of Arts in Population Studies from the University of Nairobi (Kenya)
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Nairobi (Kenya)

Languages: English, Swahili

Education:
• Kenyatta University – MBA Specialisation in Marketing (Ongoing)
• Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology – Bachelor of Business Information Technology (B.B.I.T)

Languages: English and Kiswahili