Like his father, Vincent Okungu wanted to become a teacher before realizing he wanted to keep learning instead of teaching, and that his first degree didn't answer the question that interested him most: what can be done to help Africa alleviate the health burdens affecting its most vulnerable communities?

Now, as one of the first trained health economists in Africa, Vincent helps countries determine what investments will sustainably improve health outcomes. It's a challenging task anywhere but acutely so in Africa, where urgent priorities are many, and funds are especially limited. For Vincent, this state of affairs underscores the importance of generating evidence-based and cost-effective solutions, and the need to train more health economists.

"What drives me is being able to identify a problem, show people why it's a problem, and the impact it would have if addressed," said Vincent.

In Rwanda, Vincent executed an evidence-based strategy and M&E framework designed to prevent and control the country's non-communicable diseases (NCD). This led to a three-fold increase in government budget allocations to NCD programs in the country. In Kenya, Vincent provided policy options for operationalizing universal health coverage by shaping robust health financing models and executing sustainability programs.

Vincent has developed similar health financing strategies that target neglected tropical diseases in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Senegal. For his research focused on improving health outcomes among vulnerable populations, Vincent received the "Best Paper Award (Pharmacy Journal)", and a recognition for the most cited publication for five years (Health Systems & Reform).

"It's very meaningful to see what you draft lead to a change in policy," said Vincent.

Still, turning an idea into policy is rarely linear. Vincent has diligently reached out to policymakers for weeks to book an appointment. After a series of meetings with Vincent and other colleagues, one country agreed to commit hundreds of thousands of dollars to neglected tropical diseases. Yet, a year and a half later the pledge remains. But Vincent is tenacious and will persevere.

"The one thing I hate is to just write an idea on a paper and throw it on a shelf. When I put an idea out there, I want it to be something myself or somebody else picks up, implements, and sees the results," he said.