Prof. Francis Wafula

He is an Associate Professor of Health Systems at Strathmore University and the Executive Director of the Open Phences Hub. His work revolves around strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks for better public and private engagement, improving policy and institutional arrangements for better quality healthcare, and improving the ecosystem to strengthen experiences, role and impact of innovators and entrepreneurs towards achieving socially responsible and ethically sound healthcare businesses.

Prof. Francis Wafula previously served as the Academic Director Healthcare Management at the Strathmore University and a Health Specialist with the World Bank. At the World Bank, he served as technical lead in policy and regulatory matters, supporting countries improve healthcare regulatory systems, patient safety and quality, and frameworks for public private dialogue, engagement and collaboration.

He previously worked as research advisor for Aid Span, a health systems researcher at KEMRI/Wellcome Trust,and a Pharmacist with the Kenyan Government. He has led consultancies for the World Health Organization, the Global Fund, UN bodies (e.g.,UNICEF and UNESCO), UKAID (FCDO), USAID, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation among others. He sits on various local and global expert groups and boards, including serving as a member of the World Health Organization’s Technical Expert Group on Regulation; Founding member and Vice President of the Society for Quality Healthcare Kenya, and a member of the African Academy of Sciences among others.

He holds a PhD in Health Systems and Policy (University of London–LSHTM and the Open University, 2012), a Masters in Public Health (LSHTM), and a Pharmacy degree (University of Nairobi), with additional training from IESE Business School and Strathmore Business School.