A 2025 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that one in two deaths in low-income countries is from conditions that are treatable or preventable with basic healthcare access.
These eight young innovators are working to advance equitable health access worldwide, using their learnings from the One Young World Academy, supported by The Gates Foundation.
What is One Young World Academy?
One Young World Academy is a globally recognised e-learning platform designed to empower young leaders to make an impact.
Supported by the Gates Foundation, our latest Academy series tackled four critical global health issues: polio eradication, malaria eradication, family planning and maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). It explored how combining innovation, advocacy, and partnerships is essential to advancing global health outcomes.
Find out more about the One Young World Academy, supported by the Gates Foundation.
Out of those who participated in the Academy, we selected eight champions who will receive full funding to participate in the One Young World Summit Munich, 2025, in addition to a year-long learning and development programme consisting of One Young World’s Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator.
Adelaide Bih, President and Co-Founder, African Initiative for Health and Research Promotion (AIHRP)
With an academic background in medical sciences, Adelaide Bih co-founded the African Initiative for Health and Research Promotion out of a desire to alleviate the suffering she had seen many Africans experience due to preventable health conditions.
“My leadership is driven by a strong commitment to advancing equitable healthcare and improving the lives of vulnerable populations,” Adelaide explains. “Through AIHRP, I have successfully initiated and managed programmes that provide free and subsidised healthcare services, health education, and psychosocial counselling to underserved communities, including internally displaced persons, refugees, and those living in extreme poverty.”
To date, Adelaide’s services have benefited over 10,000 individuals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. By taking part in the One Young World Academy, she has gained a deeper understanding of how to approach community-driven health solutions.
“Through this experience, I’ve come to believe more deeply that even in the most fragile settings, people can lead their own health solutions when they are heard, equipped, and supported.”
Aissatou Diallo, Founder and CEO, AskCare FemTech
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, but it is curable if detected early. Aissatou Diallo founded AskCare FemTech to provide African women with decentralised, rapid access to early detection tools. Her 3-in-1 device, combining a rapid HPV test, digital colposcope, and thermo-ablation tool, enables diagnosis and immediate treatment of precancerous cervical lesions at low cost in community settings.
“The One Young World Academy has reinforced my conviction that this technology can be a structural lever for improving the health of mothers and children,” says Aissatou, “by breaking the cycle of neglect, delayed diagnosis and avoidable death.”
The course also helped her pinpoint key challenges in low- and middle-income countries: fragmented interventions, weak community health systems, poor data, and a shortage of skilled personnel.
Since completing the programme, Aissatou has partnered with the Ministries of Health in Rwanda and Mali to integrate her solutions into national cancer prevention strategies.
“As a woman, scientist and entrepreneur, I've always wanted to build a bridge between biomedical research and innovation in the field and public policy,” she adds. “This course has enabled me to identify the levers of my own leadership… and make women's voices heard in the design of health policies.”
Dr Dumazedier Kabasele, Founder and CEO, Dumazedier Kabasele Foundation
Dr. Dumazedier Kabasele is a prominent figure in infectious disease prevention and public health strategy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with over a decade of experience in research and health programme implementation. He founded the Dumazedier Kabasele Foundation after witnessing severe healthcare inequalities during his fieldwork as a physician.
“The DRC faces significant health challenges, and addressing these issues can have a profound impact on the well-being of its population,” says Dr. Dumazedier. “By focusing on these areas, we can contribute to the development of effective public health strategies… leading to healthier communities and a brighter future.”
While participating in the One Young World Academy, he was particularly interested in malaria eradication, critical in a country with the world’s second-highest malaria cases and deaths. “Through the One Young World Academy, I have gained critical insights into global health security,” he says. “The behaviour change model, in particular, has opened my eyes to a transformative approach, one that holds the potential to save thousands of children's lives by addressing root causes through community engagement and sustainable intervention.”
Kouassi Kouadio Évrard, National Coordinator, U-Report
Kouassi Kouadio Évrard is dedicated to improving health access in Côte d'Ivoire, with a strong focus on sexual and reproductive health rights. He has led several youth-focused initiatives, including Go-Mô-Gô-yêrê, which addressed school pregnancies, and the Youth SSR Camping project, which educated 190 young people aged 9 to 24 on sexual and reproductive health.
As the National Coordinator for U-Report in Côte d'Ivoire, Kouassi manages a nationwide network of 80 communities and over 5,000 volunteers. U-Report, a UNICEF initiative in partnership with the Ivorian Government, empowers youth to drive change through open dialogue and community action.
Through the One Young World Academy, Kouassi gained valuable skills to mobilise communities and amplify youth engagement. “The Academy strengthened my understanding of global health issues and provided me with concrete tools to take action at the community level,” he says. “It also broadened my vision for youth engagement in health systems transformation.”
Marie-Leopoldine Tossou, Founder and President, ONG Yeble
In Côte d'Ivoire, over 12% of girls aged 15–19 give birth each year. Marie-Leopoldine Tossou, a feminist activist, is tackling this issue by promoting reproductive health, family planning, and fighting gender-based violence.
With more than 11 years of experience in the health sector, including five focused on maternal, newborn, and child health, she has played key roles in major campaigns such as USAID’s Merci Mon Héros, which reached thousands across Africa and over 40,000 people online.
In 2021, she founded ONG Yeble, an NGO that breaks taboos around maternal and reproductive health through community dialogue. “My commitment is part of a dynamic of social transformation, intending to promote access to reproductive health and bring about a lasting change in attitudes,” she says.
After completing the One Young World Academy, Marie-Leopoldine gained new clarity and tools to strengthen ONG Yeble’s impact. “This transformative course has… elevated my strategic vision for creating lasting impact in improving access to family planning,” she explains, “with a renewed focus on addressing the unique needs and challenges of rural communities.”
Michel Rutendo Mandiopera, Volunteer Social Worker, Chiedza
Michel Rutendo Mandiopera has experienced the harsh realities of healthcare inequality in Zimbabwe. At 16, she endured a 300-kilometre journey to access life-saving malaria treatment. As a young mother, she faced challenges in finding suitable family planning options, and she witnessed a neighbour lose a child to polio. These experiences now fuel her passion for health equity.
As a volunteer social worker at Chiedza, a Zimbabwean NGO, Michel supports over 300 vulnerable children through health, nutrition, and protection services, conducting risk and needs assessments to improve their well-being.
During the One Young World Academy, Michel was inspired by real-life examples of mobile health innovations. “In low-resource settings like Zimbabwe, where affordability, availability and accessibility challenges persist, mobile health offers immense potential,” she says.
“The One Young World Academy has broadened my global health perspective and deepened my understanding of leadership for social impact,” she adds. “It equipped me with practical tools and renewed confidence to drive positive change in my community through my creative work.”
Ogechi Ikhuoria, Founder and Team Lead, Girl Power Afrique
Nigeria has one of the lowest contraceptive prevalence rates in sub-Saharan Africa, with just over 16% of women of reproductive age using contraception. Ogechi Ikhuoria, a passionate advocate for sexual and reproductive health, founded Girl Power Afrique to empower African women through research, education, and access to opportunities. Her organisation promotes informed decision-making through workshops, health initiatives, and policy advocacy, and currently operates in 18 African countries.
To date, Ogechi has reached over 5 million people through media and over 500,000 on social media with messages promoting modern family planning methods.
“The One Young World Academy, especially the modules on family planning and maternal, newborn, and child health, reinforced a lesson I’ve learned… the artificial separation of family planning from MNCH has left dangerous gaps,” she explains. “Integration is urgently needed.”
She believes the Academy will strengthen her ability to influence policy. “It will amplify my voice as a young African woman researcher,” says Ogechi, “ensuring that the realities I’ve encountered in rural clinics, classrooms, and communities are not excluded from global conversations on family planning and maternal health.”
Ousmane Ndiaye, Steering Committee of the Yaakar Project, Précieux Care
Ousmane Ndiaye is a sixth-year medical student at the University of Thiès and an advocate for equitable healthcare in Senegal. Since 2022, he has been active in Précieux Care, a socio-sanitary and educational association that provides free consultations, health education, and community outreach.
As a former president of the Thiès section and now a member of the medical team and project steering committee, Ousmane has helped treat over 8,000 patients and led more than 30 educational activities across Senegal, Mauritania, and The Gambia. He has supported key health projects such as Yaakar (children’s health), Jiguèn (women’s health), and Yeete (cardiovascular disease prevention), and is helping the association expand its work into research and digital health.
Through the One Young World Academy, Ousmane gained deeper insights into disease eradication, maternal health, and youth engagement. “This programme upgraded and actualised my knowledge,” he says. “It reminded me that education must lead to action.” He was particularly inspired by the focus on evidence-based advocacy: “What’s worth doing is worth doing well.”
“The Academy reinforced my belief that everyone can contribute to change. Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”
Get involved with One Young World Academy
If you are a young leader wanting to level up your skills, keep an eye out for more fully-funded Academy courses on our website and social media channels.
If you would like to fund a One Young World Academy project, get in touch: [email protected]