GDHF is the leading global public health industry networking and relationship-building opportunity for technology vendors, donors, researchers, government representatives, and implementing organizations working in low- and middle-income countries.
GDHF 2024 will take place December 4-6, 2024, featuring 3 days of virtual and in-person content. Nairobi, Kenya will be the main hub for the in-person portion of this hybrid event.
Pathfinder will present three abstracts and participate in one virtual panel about AI-Powered Health Platforms.
Virtual Panel
The Future of AI-Powered Health Platforms:
Direct to Citizen Digital Health Services Targeting Behavioural Change
Date & Time: December 3, 2024 | 11:00 PM – 11:59 PM EAT
Personalised content and services at scale, can improve the reach and impact of health campaigns. This interactive panel discussion delves into how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are informing the personalisation of digital health services for maternal, sexual and reproductive health. The panel will elaborate on the theory and approaches in practice to influence behaviour change and increase impact
The session will have three African implementing partner organisations and one international NGO, all working in behaviour change and AI. The organisations will expand on how they are using AI and predictive modelling in their digital health interventions and share key learnings with the audience. The audience will be engaged through an online poll where they can share thoughts and answer key questions which the panel will address. Four to five questions will be posed to the audience and they will be able to provide answers throughout the session. The panel will then reserve 10 minutes at the end of the session for a discussion on the poll questions.
Matthew Saaks, Pathfinder Senior Digital Health Advisor, is one of the speakers. See the agenda for more details.
Abstracts
- Experiences and Lessons from Using a Mobile Application for Community Health Workers in Two Districts of Western Tanzania
- Enhancing Public Health Training in Bangladesh with a Training Management Information System
- Advancing Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria through Geospatial Innovations
GDHF 2024 Delegation
Matthew Saaks
Senior Digital Health Advisor
United States
Matthew Saaks has over 20 years of experience in international public health, MEL and digital systems. He is currently Pathfinder’s Senior Digital Health Advisor where he works to advance and innovate digital health in projects, business development, and enterprise-wide. Matthew’s passion for digital health evolved from his desire to innovate from his public health MEL foundation.
Charles Waka
Senior Advisor, Digital Innovations
Kenya
A computer scientist with 10+ years of experience, specializing in digital health innovations. As Senior Advisor for Digital Innovations at Pathfinder International, he leverages AI, mobile data, and cloud systems to enhance data-driven decision-making and improve health outcomes globally.
Hasan Zahir
Manager, Information Technology
Bangladesh
Hasan Zahir Ruhin is a seasoned IT professional with over 15 years of experience, especially in leading and managing large-scale USAID project’s digital and technology portfolio. Based in Dhaka, Hasan has supported several organizations’ technological transitions and transformation, elevated data-driven decision-making provisions, facilitated digitalized solutions and innovations to support programmatic needs, and supported improving process efficiencies with higher data compatibilities and cross-team sharing.
Felician Luchagula
Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning Director
Tanzania
A development professional with over 18 years of experience, Felician specializes in monitoring, evaluation, documentation, research, and learning for public health interventions in Tanzania. He holds a master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Dar es Salaam. Felician is passionate about using digital solutions to address development challenges and leveraging monitoring, evaluation, and research to drive results and adaptation, ensuring effective program management and client-responsive interventions.
Hafiz Yaro
Technical Advisor
Nigeria
Dr. Hafiz Yaro is a medical doctor with over six years of progressive experience in planning and implementing Health Systems Strengthening, RMNCH+N, TB/HIV, and immunization (childhood preventable diseases and COVID-19) programs funded by USAID, FCDO, BMGF, MacArthur Foundation and Global Fund, in both humanitarian and development sectors; working closely with stakeholders in private and public sectors to improve service delivery, leadership and governance, and financing in the health sector. At Pathfinder, he provides program and technical advisory for the Gates Foundation-funded GeoST4R Investment aimed at revolutionizing Primary Health Care (PHC) microplanning and decision support through the deployment of geospatial and AI-enabled solutions and strengthening the use of PHC operational data.
