ABOUT AFRICA HEALTH BUSINESS
We Offer Solutions to Key Challenges Facing Healthcare Systems in Africa
Our expert team provides clients with effective, evidence-based solutions for today’s complex healthcare challenges. We do this through a mix of technical consultancy projects, and our facilitatory and networking expertise.
OUR TEAM
MEET OUR SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Dr Amit N. Thakker
Executive Chairman
A visionary entrepreneur and an industry captain, Dr. Amit N. Thakker, has been a ground-breaking pioneer in the integration of private sector within the healthcare system in
Africa. Dr Thakker actively supports governments, corporates, health organisations and development partners to foster effective public private partnership initiatives towards improved health outcomes.
He is the executive chairman of Africa Health Business, a health consultancy, advisory and investment firm that aims to improve access to quality affordable healthcare in Africa. He is also the president of Africa Healthcare Federation, chairperson of the Kenya Health Professionals Oversight Authority, a member of the Ethical Principles in Health Care (EPiHC) advisory board, he is a fellow of The Academy of Public Health (APH), and the former chairman of Kenya Healthcare Federation. He has served as a director at LumiraDx, Seven Seas Technology, AMREF Flying Doctors Action Aid, East African Health Platform and East African Business Council.
As an active member of several institutions including international business group YPO Gold (Nairobi Chapter), Dr. Thakker also chairs the University of Nairobi Alumni Medical Chapter and serves as an Advisor/Director to AAIC Investment PTE. Ltd, Coalition for Blood in Africa (CoBA), United Asian Network (UAN), Ghanima Ltd, KEPSA (Kenya Private Sector Alliance) and Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Dr. Thakker founded Avenue Healthcare, a Kenyan based integrated private health service provider in 1995 which lead him to receive the “Best Male Entreprenuer of the Year” award by Rotary International in 1999. He has served as the CEO for Amini Management Ltd, Africa Medical Investments plc, Momentum Kenya leading him to win “Best CEO” award by Titans Global in the Business and Professional services category in 2017 and proudly received the Chairman’s Award for Kenya Medical Association in 2004.
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
He is the executive chairman of Africa Health Business, a health consultancy, advisory and investment firm that aims to improve access to quality affordable healthcare in Africa. He is also the president of Africa Healthcare Federation, chairperson of the Kenya Health Professionals Oversight Authority, a member of the Ethical Principles in Health Care (EPiHC) advisory board, he is a fellow of The Academy of Public Health (APH), and the former chairman of Kenya Healthcare Federation. He has served as a director at LumiraDx, Seven Seas Technology, AMREF Flying Doctors Action Aid, East African Health Platform and East African Business Council.
As an active member of several institutions including international business group YPO Gold (Nairobi Chapter), Dr. Thakker also chairs the University of Nairobi Alumni Medical Chapter and serves as an Advisor/Director to AAIC Investment PTE. Ltd, Coalition for Blood in Africa (CoBA), United Asian Network (UAN), Ghanima Ltd, KEPSA (Kenya Private Sector Alliance) and Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Dr. Thakker founded Avenue Healthcare, a Kenyan based integrated private health service provider in 1995 which lead him to receive the “Best Male Entreprenuer of the Year” award by Rotary International in 1999. He has served as the CEO for Amini Management Ltd, Africa Medical Investments plc, Momentum Kenya leading him to win “Best CEO” award by Titans Global in the Business and Professional services category in 2017 and proudly received the Chairman’s Award for Kenya Medical Association in 2004.
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
Managing Director
Marloes Kibacha has more than 13 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.
She previously worked for the Kenyan Healthcare Federation (Kenya) and the Investment Fund for Health in Africa (the Netherlands). She has played key roles in advocacy and policy influencing under KHF as the Projects Coordinator and has worked at different healthcare federations on the African continent in implementation, strategy, and governance.
Marloes has led consulting and advisory projects for many organizations including MSD, Becton Dickinson, Palladium, Swedfund, World Bank, PharmAccess Foundation, Sanofi, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi, UNFPA, IBM, BroadReach Healthcare, Abt. Associates, and others.
She is the founder of Imarika Initiative, a Nairobi-based CBO that supports a daycare and therapy for mentally disabled children in Mukuru kwa Njenga. Furthermore, she serves as the Board Secretary of the Coalition for Women’s Health in Africa (COWHA) a private sector led platform that thrives to advance women’s health on the African continent. In addition, she is a board member at Sibusiso Foundation in Tanzania, an NGO that strives to bring about positive change in the lives of mentally disabled children in Tanzania.
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
She previously worked for the Kenyan Healthcare Federation (Kenya) and the Investment Fund for Health in Africa (the Netherlands). She has played key roles in advocacy and policy influencing under KHF as the Projects Coordinator and has worked at different healthcare federations on the African continent in implementation, strategy, and governance.
Marloes has led consulting and advisory projects for many organizations including MSD, Becton Dickinson, Palladium, Swedfund, World Bank, PharmAccess Foundation, Sanofi, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi, UNFPA, IBM, BroadReach Healthcare, Abt. Associates, and others.
She is the founder of Imarika Initiative, a Nairobi-based CBO that supports a daycare and therapy for mentally disabled children in Mukuru kwa Njenga. Furthermore, she serves as the Board Secretary of the Coalition for Women’s Health in Africa (COWHA) a private sector led platform that thrives to advance women’s health on the African continent. In addition, she is a board member at Sibusiso Foundation in Tanzania, an NGO that strives to bring about positive change in the lives of mentally disabled children in Tanzania.
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
Dr Daniella Munene
Head of External Affairs
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 External Affairs 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
Daniella is currently Head of External Affairs 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
Head of Corporate Affairs
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
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
Finance Manager
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
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
Dr. Mary Moussa
Head of Consulting
Dr. Moussa is an Egyptian born, pan-Africanist, health specialist and business development
expert, who has contributed to the development and implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions to improve health outcomes and access for underserved communities on the continent. She leverages her medical background, management skills, and leadership abilities
to design, coordinate and oversee multifaceted sustainable health projects, engaging partners and stakeholders at all levels of involvement, while leading teams across countries of implementation.
At AHB she serves as the Head of Consulting, leading the team and technical work of AHB, ensuring that the project quality and timelines are met and maintained.
Dr. Moussa has a strong passion for advancing human and minority rights, particularly in the area of health, with special focus on gender equality, achieving social justice and reaching UHC. Before joining AHB, Mary worked as a Global Health Expert for a Dutch social enterprise (HE) where she designed and led community centred and country specific health projects and solution in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi. Furthermore, she worked as a Medical Director and Project Manager at AfriEgypt under the guidance of the renowned Afripharma Company, was a project coordinator at SOCHT; a Sudanese non-profit organization that provides health services and advocacy for refugees and migrants in Khartoum and Cairo, plus served as a Senior House Officer at the Psychiatry department of Makerere University. Mary has extensive and valuable clinical and business research experience, both as GP gaining clinical experience in the private sector in Uganda.
Education:
• Master’s in Business Administration, Eaton Business School (Ongoing)
• Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery, Assiut University, Egypt.
Languages: Arabic (Native), English (Proficient), French (Beginner), Swahili (Beginner)
At AHB she serves as the Head of Consulting, leading the team and technical work of AHB, ensuring that the project quality and timelines are met and maintained.
Dr. Moussa has a strong passion for advancing human and minority rights, particularly in the area of health, with special focus on gender equality, achieving social justice and reaching UHC. Before joining AHB, Mary worked as a Global Health Expert for a Dutch social enterprise (HE) where she designed and led community centred and country specific health projects and solution in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi. Furthermore, she worked as a Medical Director and Project Manager at AfriEgypt under the guidance of the renowned Afripharma Company, was a project coordinator at SOCHT; a Sudanese non-profit organization that provides health services and advocacy for refugees and migrants in Khartoum and Cairo, plus served as a Senior House Officer at the Psychiatry department of Makerere University. Mary has extensive and valuable clinical and business research experience, both as GP gaining clinical experience in the private sector in Uganda.
Education:
• Master’s in Business Administration, Eaton Business School (Ongoing)
• Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery, Assiut University, Egypt.
Languages: Arabic (Native), English (Proficient), French (Beginner), Swahili (Beginner)
Esther Ruiter
Business and Partnership Manager
Esther Ruiter is a skilled and dedicated midwife with a wealth of experience in the field. She is qualified and registered in both Belgium and Kenya, allowing her to practice
in diverse healthcare settings. Over the past decade, Esther has worked in various roles, including clinical midwifery, training, and management positions. She has gained
valuable experience in both private and public healthcare, giving her a comprehensive
understanding of the challenges and opportunities in different contexts.
Esther’s passion for creating meaningful change in the healthcare sector led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. This educational background has provided her with a solid foundation in public health principles and strategies, enabling her to approach healthcare challenges from a holistic and evidence-based perspective.
Motivated by her strong belief in the importance of equitable access to quality healthcare, Esther has taken on the role of Business and Partnership Manager at AHB. She is deeply inspired by the organization’s work and its commitment to reducing health disparities.
Esther’s passion for creating meaningful change in the healthcare sector led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. This educational background has provided her with a solid foundation in public health principles and strategies, enabling her to approach healthcare challenges from a holistic and evidence-based perspective.
Motivated by her strong belief in the importance of equitable access to quality healthcare, Esther has taken on the role of Business and Partnership Manager at AHB. She is deeply inspired by the organization’s work and its commitment to reducing health disparities.
ETHOS
MISSION , VISION & VALUES
Professionalism | Respect | Openness | Trust | Excellence | Client Centric | Transparency
Our vision:
To be a leader in strengthening Africa’s healthcare systems.
Our Mission:
To provide solutions to the health sector, with a focus on quality, affordability and equity.