An innovation designed to protect mine workers from the harmful effects of silica dust has won the Cimas Healthathon 3.0.
SilicaGuard took the top prize at the Healthathon grand finale held yesterday after presenting a solution aimed at preventing silicosis and other lung diseases caused by prolonged exposure to silica dust.
The team, comprising recent Chinhoyi University of Technology graduates Panashe Chandiwana and Takudzwa Mukaro, walked away with the US$3,500 first prize.
Cimas Health Group chief executive officer Vuli Ndlovu said the quality of the entries demonstrated Zimbabwe’s capacity to develop home-grown solutions to healthcare challenges.
“Healthcare is constantly evolving, and as Cimas we believe that innovation and collaboration are critical in finding solutions to the challenges that our communities face,” said Ndlovu.
She said the competition was also designed to help promising ideas move beyond the conceptual stage and eventually benefit patients.
The Healthathon attracted 372 entries from students, researchers, start-ups and innovators before 10 finalists were selected.
Their projects addressed a range of healthcare challenges, including women’s health, blood shortages, cervical cancer screening, rehabilitation, patient data management and access to healthcare in underserved communities.
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Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora, represented by Chief Director of Public Health Dr Celestino Dhege, said healthcare innovation should not be limited to artificial intelligence, software and other digital solutions.
He said innovation could also include improving healthcare financing and referral systems, increasing local production of medicines and diagnostics, and developing community programmes that bring services closer to patients.
Mombeshora challenged innovators to ensure their solutions reach communities that are often left behind, including rural populations, low-income households, older people and persons with disabilities.
“As we modernise our health system, we must not leave anyone behind. Equity must remain at the centre of every solution,” the minister said in his address.
He also called for stronger cooperation between medical aid societies and healthcare providers, noting that disputes over tariffs, co-payments and delayed payments can ultimately affect patients.
Government further invited private healthcare funders, healthcare providers, academics, actuaries and technology experts to contribute to the proposed National Health Insurance scheme.
Mombeshora said the real test of the Healthathon would be whether the ideas presented could move beyond the competition and improve people’s lives.
“The greater opportunity is what comes after today, when a promising idea is validated, incubated, partnered and piloted into the real world,” he said.
For SilicaGuard, the victory provides an opportunity to further develop its solution and contribute to addressing occupational health risks in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
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