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.