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Fatima Bulla-Musakwa
INFORMATION Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Dr Tatenda Mavetera, on Friday applauded young innovators who participated in this year’s Healthathon organised by Cimas Health Group for their creative efforts aimed at addressing healthcare challenges.
The Healthathon held in partnership with Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) brought together diverse groups of students and professional innovators to develop cutting edge solutions to address the most pressing challenges in the healthcare industry.
Represented by Permanent Secretary, Dr Beullah Chirume, Dr Mavetera said technology was no longer just a tool, but the lifeblood of development strategies in sectors like healthcare.
“Today healthcare systems around the world face rising costs, growing demands and complex challenges. To meet these challenges we need home-driven solutions that are efficient, accessible and sustainable, which some of you here today may have prototyped for the first time. This indeed is the promise of innovation and digital transformation which is no longer a luxury but essential,” she said.
Groups of young innovators took turns to pitch their ideas highlighting the healthcare problem that they intended to solve, before a panel of health and technology experts,
Running under the theme Transforming Healthcare: Pioneering Tomorrow’s Health Solutiuons, the Healthathon served as proof that the country is awash with young innovators who possess technical expertise and problem-solving skills that can contribute immensely to foster innovation in health care.
The innovations ranged from technology that reduces healthcare costs, enhancing medication management, advancing diagnostics or innovating claims and fraud detection.
Two young innovators Munashe Dube, a Bioengineering student at the University of Zimbabwe and Lincoln Casette, a HIT graduate of Electronics Engineering walked away winners after pitching an idea that proposes to provide real-time monitoring for epileptic patients.
Expressing satisfaction in the event, Cimas Group Operating Officer, Mrs Thando Kembo said the initiative focuses on sustainable health outcomes.
“Our purpose is to inspire global communities by providing solutions to health problems. People are living longer due to medical interventions, but now the question is: will we live healthier lives? Initiatives like this Healthathon inspire solutions that not only increase longevity but improve health quality,” she said.
Online Reporter