Health/ OPEN INNOVATION CHALLENGE
“Health
yields economic dividends: Healthy people are more productive, and healthy infants and children
can develop better and become productive adults.”
- World Health Organization.
Africa has a young and rapidly increasing population which is projected to double in size from 1,2 billion to 2,4 billion between 2017 and 2050. This will translate into an increased workforce which can contribute to economic growth in the region through increased productivity and technology diffusion. However, for this to transpire, there needs to be a healthy population. Africa suffers from a constrained health sector, burdened by communicable and non communicable diseases. Majority of deaths that have occurred in Africa resulted from HIV/AIDS (19%), lower respiratory infection (10%), and Malaria (8%). (WHO, 2019) Furthermore, 50% of the deaths of children under five are attributed to underlying malnutrition which is one of Africa’s most significant health and social challenges. (African Union, 2015)
Effective public health interventions could prevent most of the deaths that transpire; however, scarce public health resources act as a hindrance. The scarcity of resources presents efficacy problems in the training of healthcare practitioners, maintenance of infrastructure, and efficient supply chain management. This is further compounded by inadequate food production, food shortages, famine, high rates of child and maternal malnutrition and insufficient access to clean water.
Healthcare systems in Africa are fragile and underdeveloped and require creative and innovative solutions to produce quality
healthcare services for all. Good health is one of
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nation Members States in 2015. The goals are interconnected and address the global challenges we face.
How might we enable fair and accessible
Healthcare across the southern African region?
*A solution solving for more than one of these areas is applicable.
THIS CHALLENGE IS NOW CLOSED.