Impact First will convene speakers and organizations from the global health and development sector where together we explore the possibilities of achieving impact through technology and data innovations. The summit brings together iNGOs, international agencies, governments, and the private sector to engage in two days of learning, collaboration, and showcasing the latest trends across sectors within digital development. The Summit will feature plenary and breakout sessions, panel discussions, exhibitor tables, and networking opportunities. The Impact First Summit will be a fully in-person event. Please note that it will not be possible to participate virtually.
Pathfinder’s Matt Saaks, Director of Digital Innovations, Charles Waka, Senior Advisor, Digital Innovations, and Hafiz Yaro, Technical Advisor, will participate in this event.
Breakout Session
Advancing Maternal and Child Health through Geospatial Innovations
Date & Time: Thursday, October 10 at 02:40 PM – 03:10 PM
Explore how the Geo-ST4R project leverages geospatial innovations to enhance maternal and child health services in Nigeria. This session will highlight the integration of GIS technology in health planning, focusing on improved service delivery, resource allocation, and addressing health disparities. Learn about the methodologies and key findings of using geospatial data to optimize reproductive, maternal, and newborn child health (RMNCH) services. Discover practical insights and scalable solutions for other regions seeking to implement similar approaches. Hafiz Yaro will be a speaker in this session.
View and download the abstract for this event: Advancing Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria through Geospatial Innovations.
Impact First Summit Delegation
Matthew Saaks
Senior Digital Health Advisor
United States
Matthew Saaks has over 20 years of experience in international public health, MEL and digital systems. He is currently Pathfinder’s Senior Digital Health Advisor where he works to advance and innovate digital health in projects, business development, and enterprise-wide. Prior to joining Pathfinder, Matthew developed, designed, managed, and implemented project and enterprise-wide digital technology solutions. Matthew’s passion for digital health evolved from his desire to innovate from his public health MEL foundation.
Charles Waka
Senior Advisor, Digital Innovations
Kenya
A computer scientist with 10+ years of experience, specializing in digital health innovations. As Senior Advisor for Digital Innovations at Pathfinder International, he leverages AI, mobile data, and cloud systems to enhance data-driven decision-making and improve health outcomes globally.
Hafiz Yaro
Technical Advisor
Nigeria
Dr. Hafiz Yaro is a medical doctor with over six years of progressive experience in planning and implementing Health Systems Strengthening, RMNCH+N, TB/HIV, and immunization (childhood preventable diseases and COVID-19) programs funded by USAID, FCDO, BMGF, MacArthur Foundation and Global Fund, in both humanitarian and development sectors; working closely with stakeholders in private and public sectors to improve service delivery, leadership and governance, and financing in the health sector. At Pathfinder, he provides program and technical advisory for the Gates Foundation-funded GeoST4R Investment aimed at revolutionizing Primary Health Care (PHC) microplanning and decision support through the deployment of geospatial and AI-enabled solutions and strengthening the use of PHC operational data.
