Ilara Health, a Kenya-based healthtech company focused on affordable diagnostics and digital healthcare solutions, has announced a significant workforce reduction as part of a strategic restructuring plan.
Founded in 2019, Ilara Health partners with over 3,000 primary care clinics across 46 counties in Kenya, reaching more than 6 million patients annually. The company cited tough market conditions and delayed funding commitments as key drivers behind the decision to streamline operations and focus on its most cash-generative business lines.
“This is a difficult moment for our team,” said Emilian Popa, Co-founder and CEO of Ilara Health. “We know that any potential job losses have a real impact on people’s lives. Our colleagues are at the heart of Ilara, and we are committed to supporting them through this period.”
The affected employees have been notified, and a 30-day consultation process is underway in accordance with Kenyan employment law. While the exact number of layoffs remains undisclosed, the move represents one of the most notable workforce cuts in Kenya’s healthtech sector in recent years.
Focus on Sustainability and Service Continuity
Despite the restructuring, Ilara Health reaffirmed its commitment to:
- Continuity of care for its clinic network
- Operational sustainability amid shifting market dynamics
- Streamlined service delivery through its most scalable business units
Funding and Future Growth
In 2024, Ilara Health closed a $4.2 million pre-Series A round of equity and debt, bringing its total funding to $11.7 million. This includes:
- A $3.75 million seed round in 2020
- $1.6 million in grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Multiple rounds aimed at scaling tech-enabled primary care across Kenya
Founded by Emilian Popa, Maximilian Mancini, and Sameer Afzal Farooqi, Ilara Health was launched to bridge the diagnostic gap in Kenya’s primary healthcare system.
