For advancing Sickle Cell Disease management with innovation solutions

Chief Operations and Lead Manager at Save the Sicklers | Nakuru, Kenya

Bahati Innocent, a Kenyan doctor-in-training and passionate public speaker, is on a transformative mission to support individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). As the lead innovator of Save the Sicklers (STS), a grassroots nonprofit organization he helped create, Bahati is dedicated to reducing the suffering associated with SCD and empowering patients to reach their fullest potential.

STS’s mission statement makes their objective clear: “We aim to reduce sickle cell suffering for people living with sickle cell to achieve their fullest potential. STS accomplishes this by increasing access to equitable care through advocacy, action and strategic partnerships that address people, systems, and policies.” And Bahati's leadership helps bring that mission to fruition: The organization operates nationwide, addressing systemic issues and policies that impact care for those affected by this chronic condition—the most prevalently genetically acquired disease in the region.

Earlier this year, Kabarak University's ENACTUS team took the STS work on the road, winning the 2024 National Championship in Kenya and triumphing over esteemed institutions like Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi. Their victory secured a spot at the global ENACTUS competition in Astana, Kazakhstan, where Bahati and the team proudly showcased their ThermoSoothe™ to judges and competitors at the worldwide platform for young innovators, entrepreneurs, and academics dedicated to social impact. The ThermoSoothe™ kit is the first of its kind, designed to help patients manage pain and prevent crises, especially when they are far from medical facilities. By employing a unique combination of thermal massage and air pressure technology, this inventive device enhances patient comfort and predicts potential crises by monitoring vital health parameters.

On his Instagram account, Bahati writes, "Proud to showcase our life-saving innovation, ThermoSoothe™, and stand alongside incredible changemakers from around the world. Let's make a difference, one step at a time!" While the Tunisian team won the top prize, Kenya was strongly represented by Bahati and his team.

Bahati's commitment to improving lives extends beyond SCD. He is also working on an agricultural project through Kabarak University that converts various types of grasses into edible, fortified flour, addressing the rising costs of maize—a staple food in Kenya. The flour can be used in traditional dishes like Kenyan ugali, which is appealing for consumers. This initiative not only promotes food security but also provides a unique and easy solution to the alarming food-assistance needs in the country, which have surged sixfold since 2020.

Bahati exemplifies the power of combining medical knowledge with an entrepreneurial spirit to address pressing health and social issues. His dedication to improving the lives of those with Sickle Cell Disease, coupled with his innovative agricultural solutions, positions him as a leader in both the healthcare and social innovation sectors. With initiatives like Save the Sicklers and ThermoSoothe™, Bahati is not only transforming the landscape of SCD management but also inspiring a new generation of innovators dedicated to making the world a better place.