Lifesten, a leading health technology company, made a significant impact at the 76th World Health Assembly with its CEO and co-founder, Ogweno Stephen, taking the stage in four presentations. As a strong advocate for universal health coverage and the meaningful involvement of individuals living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), Ogweno shared his personal experiences and insights on various panels. This blog post highlights Lifesten’s representation at the World Health Assembly, shedding light on the important discussions and contributions made by the company’s CEO.
Day 1 – Invest In and Engage People Living With Noncommunicable Diseases On the first day of the World Health Assembly, Ogweno Stephen represented Lifesten on a panel discussing the importance of investing in and engaging people living with NCDs to achieve universal health coverage. Alongside esteemed speakers, including Dr. Adelard Kakunze and Dr. Gina Agiostratidou, Ogweno shared his firsthand experience as a person living with obesity and highlighted the role of civil society organizations and youth in supporting progressive realization of UHC in Kenya. To watch the full video of this insightful panel, click the link below.
Day 2 – Unpacking the Expansion of NCD ‘Best Buys’ Ogweno Stephen continued his impactful presence at the World Health Assembly by participating in a panel discussion on WHO’s appendix 3. This session, organized by the NCD Alliance and Vital Strategies, aimed to explore the expansion of NCD ‘best buys’ and their investment case. Ogweno emphasized the importance of incorporating lived experiences into government priorities and the implementation of Appendix 3. He shared the stage with Ms. Sarah Kline, CEO of United for Global Mental Health, and Ms. Nina Renshaw, Head of Health at Clean Air Fund. The full session video can be viewed below.
Day 3 – Accelerating Action on Obesity In a morning breakfast meeting dedicated to obesity, Ogweno Stephen was among the speakers at a side event during the World Health Assembly. Co-organized by WHO, UNICEF, and the World Obesity Federation, this event aimed to bridge the investment gap and accelerate action on obesity. Ogweno shared his lived experience, urging attendees to take more action and involve people living with NCDs in the planning and implementation of programs. The event objectives highlighted the need for concrete progress on the ground.
Day 4 – NCD Alliance Roundtable on UHC, HIV/AIDS, NCDs, and Mental Health On the final day of the World Health Assembly, Ogweno Stephen was once again invited by the NCD Alliance to speak at a roundtable side event. This roundtable focused on raising awareness of the intersection of HIV, NCDs, and mental health in low- and middle-income countries, in the context of achieving Universal Health Coverage. The session aimed to discuss evidence-based solutions and interventions for integrating HIV and NCD/MH services. Ogweno’s contribution added valuable insights from both a health and economic perspective.
Conclusion: Lifesten’s CEO, Ogweno Stephen, played a pivotal role at the 76th World Health Assembly, advocating for universal health coverage and meaningful engagement of individuals living with NCDs. His presence on multiple panels highlighted the importance of incorporating lived experiences, bridging gaps, and accelerating action in the health sector. Lifesten remains committed to driving positive change in
Lifesten Health 