Secretary of State Sarai announces renewed investment in Grand Challenges Canada to advance global health innovation
News release
March 27, 2026 - Waterloo, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Today, The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), announced a renewed investment of $200 million to support innovation that improves global health. This funding, delivered through Grand Challenges Canada, will help innovators develop, test and scale cutting-edge technology to improve people’s health at low costs in communities with high poverty levels, while ensuring Canadians benefit from homegrown innovation that fuels growth and global leadership.
Secretary of State Sarai made this announcement during a tour of KA Imaging, a Grand Challenges Canada supported company based in Waterloo, whose portable X-ray technology is transforming medical diagnostics. Secretary of State Sarai was accompanied by Karlee Silver, Chief Executive Officer at Grand Challenges Canada, Amol Karnick, Chief Executive Officer of KA Imaging, and Karim S. Karim, founder and Chief Technology Officer of KA Imaging. Secretary of State Sarai pointed to the company’s achievements as an example of how Canadian ingenuity is contributing to global health advancements. He noted that the renewed investment will enable more Canadian innovators like KA Imaging to advance their technologies, create jobs, and expand into emerging global markets, contributing to a healthier and more stable world for all. Secretary of State Sarai also highlighted Grand Challenges Canada’s collaboration with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to advance the uptake of health innovations in countries around the world, contributing to the country’s leadership in global health.
By continuing its support to Grand Challenges Canada, Canada is ensuring that public investments deliver tangible results and measurable impact: better health outcomes for women, children and vulnerable communities in countries with high poverty levels and strengthened global health security.
Quotes
“Investing in innovation is one of the most powerful ways to accelerate development. It allows us to generate better outcomes from every dollar we invest, and to build a healthier, safer world. Our continued support to Grand Challenges Canada strengthens this commitment and ensures that ideas can grow into solutions that change lives.”
- Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development)
“We are deeply grateful for the Government of Canada’s reinvestment in Grand Challenges Canada. Anchor funding from Canada allows us to take smart risks, provide the catalytic capital and support, and build self-reliance so innovators can generate lasting impact at scale long after we step back. By investing in companies like KA Imaging, we’ve reached more than 100 million people globally with solutions that improve their health and well-being, while growing Canadian companies. By investing in innovation, Canada is strengthening global health and building a safer, more secure future for all.”
- Karlee Silver, Chief Executive Officer, Grand Challenges Canada
“Early support from Grand Challenges Canada helped KA Imaging advance imaging technologies designed to expand access to diagnostics in underserved regions. The same innovations can also benefit Canadians by enabling better imaging in settings such as remote communities, emergency care, and critical care units.”
- Amol Karnick, Chief Executive Officer, KA Imaging
Quick facts
-
Grand Challenges Canada supports innovative solutions that help diagnose and prevent the spread of infectious disease, address climate-related health risks, expand access to primary care, provide safe sanitation, support youth mental health, and empower women and girls to exercise their rights and shape their futures.
-
Grand Challenges Canada has supported 1,600 innovations in 109 countries, helping Canada shape global health solutions, strengthen evidence-based‑ policies, and generate results that saved 125,000 lives and reached more than 100 million people worldwide.
-
The Global Fund supports HIV, tuberculosis and malaria response in 126 countries. It is the largest investor in the fight against the three diseases, having saved over 70 million lives since its founding in 2002. Canada pledged $1.02 billion to the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment in November 2025 for the 2026-2028 period.
Contacts
Shanti Cosentino
Director of Communications
Office of the Secretary of State (International Development)
Shanti.Cosentino@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on X: @CanadaDev
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s international development - Global Affairs Canada
Follow us on Instagram: @canadadev