Muna Al-Farsi

Omani biomedical engineer creating affordable medical devices for underserved populations

Muna Al-Farsi is an award-winning biomedical engineer from Oman whose innovations are revolutionizing healthcare accessibility in developing nations. As CEO of MedInnov Technologies, she has developed low-cost medical devices including a $200 portable ECG machine and a solar-powered neonatal incubator that operates in extreme temperatures.

Her most impactful invention is the 'Smart Bandage' - a reusable wound care system that costs 90% less than traditional alternatives. This device has been adopted in 12 countries, treating over 50,000 patients since 2022. Al-Farsi's team also created the MedInno telehealth platform, which connects patients in rural Oman with specialists through AI-driven diagnostics.

A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Al-Farsi returned to Oman in 2019 to address local healthcare challenges. Her work was recognized with the 2023 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award. In 2024, she launched the 'Innovation for Inclusion' initiative, training 300+ Omani engineers in biomedical device design.

Her partnership with UNICEF produced the 'Child Growth Monitor' - a handheld device that assesses malnutrition using AI image analysis. This tool is now part of WHO's global nutrition toolkit. Al-Farsi's TED Talk 'Engineering Equality in Healthcare' has received 800,000+ views, and her research appears in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

In 2025, she announced a collaboration with African hospitals to produce medical devices locally through 3D printing hubs. Her company's goal is to reduce global healthcare costs by $5 billion annually through accessible innovations. Al-Farsi was named one of TIME Magazine's Most Influential People of 2024 for her work in democratizing medical technology.