The University of Cape Town (UCT) proudly hosted the inaugural Health Collaborative Convening from October 15th to 17th, 2023, at the scenic Protea Hotel by Marriott, Waterfront Breakwater Lodge in Cape Town, South Africa.
News and Events
Discover the latest developments and upcoming events of the Collaborative.
Read about how Jemila Abdulai's internship at UCT’s MedTech Lab strengthened her commitment to human-centered engineering, demonstrating how affordable innovations like the ADL Arm can expand access, restore dignity, and transform lives in underserved communities.
Osaretin Obano is a dedicated innovator and ecosystem builder passionate about transforming healthcare entrepreneurship in Africa. As Executive Director at the African Impact Initiative, University of Toronto, he plays a pivotal role within the Africa Health Collaborative, where he focuses on turning visionary ideas into tangible, life-changing healthcare ventures.
With a strong background in technology, business development, and startup investing, he applies a practical, results-driven approach to supporting early-stage health innovators. His work involves nurturing high-potential healthcare startups, fostering strategic partnerships, and providing the tools and guidance needed to scale impactful solutions across the continent.
Through the Africa Health Collaborative, he bridges the gap between entrepreneurial ambition and real-world implementation, helping to build sustainable ventures that address critical healthcare challenges. His efforts are centered on creating lasting impact by empowering entrepreneurs who are poised to redefine health outcomes in African communities.
Dr. Ferenbok is an Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and the founder & faculty member of the Translational Research Program, a professional master’s that trains students to harness creative problem-solving for health sciences innovation. He is the Course Director for Projects in Translational Research and Methods in Practices and Contexts and the Instructor for the Translational Thinking module.
He also co-founded the Health Innovation Hub (H2i), an initiative that fosters translation, innovation, and commercialization of “Health Matters,” and founded the Ideation Clinic, which helps people across disciplines generate and refine innovative ideas. Dr. Ferenbok additionally serves as the UofT’s Academic Director and Instructor for the MSc in Health Entrepreneurship at KNUST in Ghana.
Driven by collaborative problem-solving, he seeks to systematically mobilize knowledge to design more effective, person-centric interventions spanning diagnostics, therapeutics, procedures, and behaviour change. Dr. Ferenbok aims to enhance health outcomes for individuals and communities by embracing diverse perspectives and unconventional approaches.
Canada
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Mauritius
Rwanda
South Africa
