KENYA — iZola, an AI-powered health-tech startup specializing in solutions for parents of children with neurodivergent conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has appointed Dr. Leah Kirumbi as Chief Medical Advisor to further its growth in Kenya.
Dr. Kirumbi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to iZola, aligning closely with the company’s mission and values.
Dr. Kirumbi is a pioneer and leading maternal and child healthcare specialist with over 30 years of experience in East Africa.
She performed Kenya’s first in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure in 2004 and has more than 40 years of personal experience as a mother and primary caregiver to a neurodivergent dependent.
Her unique combination of professional and personal insights will be pivotal in ensuring iZola’s solutions are tailored to the needs of the families they serve.
Before joining iZola, Dr. Kirumbi was a co-investigator in Kenya’s Preterm Birth Initiative Program.
She served as a Principal Research Officer at KEMRI and held several administrative positions, including Acting Director of the Centre for Clinical Research.
At KEMRI, she led the Reproductive Health Research Unit I for ten years, working closely with the Ministry of Health on public health research related to maternal, perinatal, and neonatal health and cancers of the reproductive system.
A staunch advocate for maternal and child health, Dr. Kirumbi co-facilitated the development of the cervical cancer prevention program and screening curriculum implemented in several counties across Kenya.
She has also been active in various health committees across East, Central, and Southern Africa as well as national reproductive health and policy committees under the Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Her work includes conducting surveillance of congenital rubella syndrome and assessing sensory impairments in newborns, aiming to enhance infant hearing and visual assessments in hospitals.
Dr. Kirumbi has also taught reproductive health to medical and postgraduate students at the University of Nairobi and Kenya Methodist University.
Her primary interests include maternal and child health, and she is dedicated to empowering youth on reproductive health issues.
Speaking on her appointment, Dr. Kirumbi expressed her honor and privilege to be appointed as the Chief Medical Advisor of iZola.
She expressed confidence that, in line with their strategic plan, iZola will continue simplifying the healthcare journey for children with special needs and their caregivers through continuous product innovation leveraging AI technology.
Dr. Wamuyu Owotoki, CEO of iZola, expressed her confidence in Dr. Kirumbi, noting that her dedication and empathy, forged from decades of caring for a neurodivergent child, align perfectly with iZola’s mission and values.
Dr. Owotoki emphasized that Dr. Kirumbi’s expertise will play a pivotal role in ensuring iZola continues to provide excellent solutions that meet its customers’ needs.
iZola’s offerings include a digital therapeutics platform enabling parents to book online, home-based, or hybrid therapy sessions and Xaidi, an AI-powered health assistant providing expert content for health queries in a private setting.
iZola was recently recognized by the National Diversity and Inclusion Awards & Recognition (DIAR Awards) for the inclusive development of technology in 2024 .
It was also among six African startups selected to participate in the first cohort of Google’s Growth Academy, aimed at supporting startups that infuse AI for development in the healthcare industry.
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