Ogweno Stephen, 27, is a health professional who has made a significant impact on the African health sector. With a passion for improving health outcomes in Africa, Stephen has made significant contributions to the field through his work with Stowelink and Lifesten Health. Born and raised in Kenya, he has dedicated his life to improving access to quality healthcare for people living in Africa and beyond.
Stephen’s journey to becoming a health professional began in childhood when he struggled with childhood obesity. This early struggle motivated him to work towards creating a world where people can live healthier lives. He pursued his passion for health by studying a Master’s degree in Public Health with a Global Health option at the University of Manchester. During his studies, Stephen developed an understanding of the unique health challenges faced by people living in Africa and the need for innovative solutions to tackle these challenges.
One of the most notable contributions of Stephen to the health sector is in the mobile health space where he is credited with the development of the NCDs 365 mobile app in Kenya. This app aims to improve access to diagnostics and treatment for non-communicable diseases in Africa. Stephen presented the app at the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Conference in London, held at the Royal College of Physicians in 2020. This presentation marked Stephen’s entry into the global health space and solidified his position as a thought leader in the field.
Since then Ogweno Stephen has been actively involved in the global health space. He is a respected member of the World Obesity Board based in the United Kingdom, where he has been involved in planning World Obesity Days since 2020. In addition, he has been serving as a committee member for the NCDs Labs in the World Health Organization’s Global Coordinating Mechanism Committee since 2020, championing global advocacy on NCDs innovation. His contributions in this field were recognized when he was elected to serve on the NCD Alliance Global as a board member in the “Our Views, Our Voices” initiative since 2021. These experiences have given him a unique perspective on the global health landscape and allowed him to bring his expertise to the table, helping to make a real difference in the lives of people all around the world.
Back in Africa, Stephen’s work with Stowelink and Lifesten Health has further demonstrated his commitment to improving health outcomes in Africa. At Lifesten Health, Stephen is set to launch the Lifesten Health app in February 2023. This app rewards people for being healthy and incentivizes them to adopt healthy lifestyles. The app will also introduce the ability to remotely diagnose oneself using a phone, powered by artificial intelligence and utilizing the trans dermal optical imaging technology. This is set to revolutionize screening for non-communicable diseases in Africa.
In conclusion, Stephen’s studies at the University of Manchester have had a significant impact on his work back in Kenya and Africa. His contributions to the field of health in Africa demonstrate his commitment to improving health outcomes for people living in the region. With his innovative solutions and dedication to improving health, Stephen is a true inspiration to young people looking to make a difference in the world.