World Health Organisation Launches Africa Innovation Challenge for Health Startups

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has opened up applications for its first ever Africa Innovation Challenge for businesses/startups with innovative and scalable healthcare solutions to health needs on the continent.

If you’re an #African national with innovative solutions for improving Africa’s health outcomes, definitely submit an application by 10 December for the @WHO Africa Innovation Challenge: https://t.co/8MHZ1HU8Yy

— Robtel Neajai Pailey (@RobtelNeajai) November 19, 2018

The open challenge is as a result of WHO’s recognition of the role innovation can play in supporting Africa to address its biggest problems in healthcare. Hence the call for novel solutions that improve health outcomes, quality of life, and apply new and fresh thinking to address unmet health needs for Africa.

“This Innovation Challenge recognises the critical need for innovations to address the continent’s challenges in healthcare,” WHO’s regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti said. “WHO champions the promotion of homegrown solutions to address health challenges in reproductive, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases and other key areas. We hope this challenge will spark the entrepreneurial spirit of innovators and lead to credible health innovations across the continent.”

.@WHO in the African Region has launched the WHO Africa Innovation Challenge – calling innovators, researchers and community-based initiatives including, youths and women that are working on novel solutions to improve health outcomes. Apply by December 10: https://t.co/FJ6IrfVFuD pic.twitter.com/Dot0XzNRSR

— Health Systems Global (@H_S_Global) November 17, 2018

The challenge will prioritise innovative and scalable healthcare solutions in the categories of Product Innovation, Service Innovation and Social Innovation. Entries will be assessed by a panel of independent evaluators.

Finalists would be offered a fully-sponsored trip to the Africa Health Forum in Cape Verde in March 2019. At this event, the finalists will be awarded an opportunity for their innovations to be showcased. They will also proffer their solutions when they meet with top political, government and business leaders in the health space.

Selected finalists will also stand a chance to exhibit their solutions at the 69th Session of the Regional Committee that will take place in August 2019, in Brazzaville.

This Regional Committee is a meeting of all African Ministers of Health.

Aside the pitching events, WHO would also provide continued support to the chosen healthcare innovators through a digital platform. This platform will provide up-to-date, information and serve as a dynamic marketplace to connect diverse stakeholders such as health ministries, other government health structures, academics, innovators and public and private investors to credible health innovations across the continent.

Entries will be accepted till Monday, December 10th. Applications must be submitted online. To apply, you must fill the application form here.