Speakers

Dr. Gloria Kigen, Head of Supply Chain & Logistics at Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), Kenya. With over six years of experience, she has left an indelible mark in both the public and private sectors.

Gloria is a visionary leader, known for her effective communication, strong coordination skills, and a knack for problem-solving in pharmaceutical supply chains.

Her dedication to continuous learning and innovation sets her apart. She has achieved remarkable milestones in her career, such as revolutionizing supply chain operations at MEDS, resulting in cost-effective last-mile delivery, reduced staff- related costs, and exceptional inventory management.

Gloria's commitment extends beyond her profession; she's an advocate for quality healthcare and has contributed significantly to ISO and GDSP certifications at MEDS.

Gloria continues to push boundaries and shape the future of pharmaceutical supply chains. Her multilingual abilities in Kiswahili, Kalenjin, and English, coupled with her tech-savvy skills, make her a well-rounded professional. Gloria is a trailblazer, dedicated to enhancing healthcare through innovative supply chain solutions.

Mr. Paul S. Lotay is a Medical Anthropologist and Public Health Specialist with over 15 years of experience in Quality Risk Management, Health Systems Strengthening, Supply Chain Management and Health Policy. Mr. Lotay has worked in various Global organizations at national, regional, and international levels providing technical information to various projects. With extensive knowledge of the African market, and vast experience in global business management, Mr. Lotay focuses his passion for humanitarian endeavors by tackling supply and quality challenges, thus ensuring universal access to life-saving health commodities. He is currently the CEO of Centrale Humanitaire Médico-Pharmaceutique (CHMP) with the mission to ensure availability of high-quality medical products to global humanitarian programs.

Dr. Nancy Njeru is a pharmacist with extensive experience in the health sector. Through professional qualifications, experience, and commitment, she has demonstrated significant contribution and positive change in the health sector in her twenty (20) years of career, spanning from the hospital, testing laboratory, National Public Health Programs, Intergovernmental Liaison, Vision 2030 flagship projects, policy formulation, sector reforms, as well as Advisory and consultancy. Specifically, she has been very instrumental in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the formulation of the the Health Care Financing Reforms and advancing the health supply chain Agenda. and. Dr. Nancy Njeru holds a Fellowship in Health Economics from the University of Nairobi, a master’s in health systems management from Kenya Methodist University and a Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Nairobi. She is an active member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya.

In addition, she has attained certifications and Credentialing in Health Systems Management and is a Fellow of the Health Systems Management Association of Kenya (HeSMA, leadership course in Leading High Performing Healthcare Organizations at Strathmore University and is currently pursuing online certification in Humanitarian Logistics at the LLA, UK.

James will be leading the Breakout Session after the Matching Demand with Local Supply Panel, Tuesday. Nov 21st, 4pm. James Riungu is a healthcare supply chain specialist and registered pharmacist with over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical supply chain management and coordination of healthcare supply chain operations in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Riungu has a broad range of experiences in the health sector that includes supporting research in global health supply chain management. Throughout his career, he has provided technical leadership and direction for the development and implementation of innovative strategies to improve health commodity security to the Kenyan Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in Kenya.

Ms. Tafida currently serves as the Regional Supply Chain Lead for Emergencies at the WHO Regional Office for Africa. In this role, she oversees an end-to-end supply chain, managing the acquisition, warehousing, and delivery of both medical and non-medical supplies for emergency response across 47 African countries. Ms. Tafida has 18 years’ experience in various United Nations agencies, including Peacekeeping operations, and has deep expertise in orchestrating complex procurement strategies, optimizing supply chains, and navigating intricate logistical landscapes. She has received recognition for her efforts to drive efficiency improvements in emergency logistics, ensuring compliance with standards, and facilitating prompt delivery of crucial supplies vital for emergency response and peacekeeping missions. An advocate for change and innovation, Ms. Tafida has also been instrumental in advocating for the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaborative partnerships in diverse, multicultural environments. She holds a MBA and several certifications in Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Leadership.