At Zenith Global Health, we are dedicated to transforming global health landscapes by bridging the gap between the Global South and North. Since our inception in 2016,
we have been at the forefront of showcasing excellence, providing education, and building capacity within the healthcare sector, with a focus on Africa.
About the 2026 event
The UK Global Health Summit 2026 is a pivotal platform for advancing equitable, sustainable, and technology-driven health solutions. With global health systems under pressure from shrinking fiscal space, climate-related health risks, and persistent inequities, innovation is no longer optional—it is essential.
At the same time, the global health community has recognised that innovation alone is not enough. The challenge is translating innovation into sustainable impact, ensuring that breakthrough solutions move beyond pilot stages and reach the populations that need them most.
The Global Health Innovation Summit (GHIS) 2026 in partnership with the Health Innovation Network Kent Surrey and Sussex will bring together leaders from government, healthcare, academia, clinicians, research institutions, researchers, technology, philanthropy, investment, innovators and civil society to showcase and explore practical pathways to accelerate innovation and strengthen health systems globally.
The Summit will focus on how innovation can be effectively scaled, financed, governed, and integrated into health systems to improve outcomes, strengthen preparedness, advance and sustain health equity.
Advancing Equity, Innovation & Resilience in Global Health
| Time | Session | Format | Speakers / Chairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00–09:20 | Registration & Networking | Arrival and networking | |
| 09:20–09:30 | Welcome & Introductions | Welcome remarks | Mary Akangbe – Zenith Global Health |
| 09:30–09:45 | Keynote Speaker 1 | Keynote address | Louise Agersnap – Head of WHO Innovation Hub (TBC) |
| 09:45–10:00 | Keynote Speaker 2 | Keynote address | Prof Mala Rao – Director of Ethnicity & Health Unit, Imperial College |
| 10:00–10:45 | Expert Panel 1: What can the NHS learn about innovations from other countries? Global health perspectives and actionable insights for the UK context. | Expert panel | Chair: Dr MaryAnn Ferreux – Health Innovation KSS; Prof Mark Britnall (TBC); Prof Kevin Fenton (TBC); Shafi Ahmed (TBC); Dr Nikki Kanani; Prof Mala Rao; Prof Nora Coltan; Dr Shera Chok |
| 10:45–11:10 | Break & Innovation Stalls | Break and exhibition | |
| 11:10–12:30 | Women’s Health Innovation Showcase 1: Four case studies, including a 15-minute panel Q&A | Innovation showcase and panel Q&A | Chair: Dr Natasha Curran – Health Innovation South London; Setting the pace: Wellcome (women’s health) – 10 minutes; Khadija Owusu – Akaya Foundation, women and girls’ menstrual health, Ghana; Amy Cotter – Embrace, maternity and low-cost incubator for neonates, global; Amber Vodgel – 28X digital app for women’s health; Mary Noehlmann (in person); Valentina Milanova – Daye diagnostic tampon; OdonAssist – assisted vaginal birth |
| 12:30–13:30 | Lunch & Networking | Lunch and networking | |
| 13:30–14:15 | Expert Panel 2: Doing more with less – How can frugal innovations improve healthcare? Identifying practical approaches to embed low-cost innovation into global health systems. | Expert panel | Chair: Dr Dominique Allwood – Imperial College Health Partners; Dr Mathew Harris; Prof Vincent Sai; Yael Misrahi; Fortune Gweru; Dr Ayesha Rahim |
| 14:15–14:30 | Short Break | Break | |
| 14:30–16:00 | Global HealthTech Innovation Showcase 2: Five case studies, including a 15-minute panel Q&A | Innovation showcase and panel Q&A | Chair: Ilias Zapantis – UCL Partners; Pedro Kremer de Ryvola – Zipline, drone delivery in Africa (virtual); Mamy Ingabire Muziga – CEO, Tech For Health Equity Foundation and Co-Founder, Charis Rwanda (virtual); Sanjay Sood – eSanjeevani, national telemedicine service in India; Cornelia Minton – Brazil community worker initiative; Serge-Alain Wandji – DiaspoCare health kiosk and pharmacy model, Kenya; NIA innovation; Trainor Jim – Frailty |
| 16:00–16:30 | Interactive Discussion: Audience Q&A, Menti questions and reflections with speakers | Interactive audience discussion | Chairs: Mary Akangbe & Lucie Hooper |
| 16:30 | Final Roundup & Close | Closing remarks |
