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CIMAS announces US$7,000 innovation competition
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CIMAS Health Group has announced a US$7,000 Healthathon aimed at supporting and incubating local technological innovations designed to address challenges in Zimbabwe's healthcare sector.
The competition, now in its third edition, has been expanded from a regional initiative to a national programme, with registration opening on June 22 and closing on July 12. A live demonstration day is scheduled for August 28, where finalists will present their innovations to CIMAS executives, industry experts and innovation leaders.
CIMAS Health Group chief executive officer Vuli Ndlovu said the initiative seeks to position innovation as a key driver in addressing pressing healthcare challenges in the country.
"Innovation is changing how people access care, how systems operate, how data is used and how patients experience health care in Zimbabwe," said Ndlovu.
"I believe Zimbabwe cannot afford to be left behind, not because we just want to jump onto the bandwagon but because our healthcare sector faces real and urgent challenges.
"Access is not as good as we would want it to be, affordability is also a challenge. These are real problems that we need to deal with."
The total prize pool for the Healthathon is US$7,000, with the winner set to receive US$3,500, while the first and second runners-up will receive US$2,000 and US$1,500 respectively.
Ndlovu said the competition is part of CIMAS' broader strategy to promote digital health solutions and improve access to healthcare services across Zimbabwe.
"We believe that these challenges present an opportunity to rethink our health care, innovate boldly and create practical solutions that can improve lives," he said.
"This is why we continue to invest in digital health innovation as part of our broader mission to inspire healthier communities.
"We think this can be a vehicle for change and really believe it should be more than a competition. It is a national platform for ideas, talent, collaboration and problem solving."
He said the Healthathon is designed to encourage Zimbabwean innovators to develop practical solutions that can improve healthcare delivery, especially in areas where access to services remains limited.
Zimbabwe's health sector has faced persistent challenges, including limited public funding, shortages of medicines and unequal access to healthcare services, with rural communities often the most affected.
CIMAS said the initiative aims to bridge some of these gaps by encouraging locally developed digital health solutions that can improve efficiency, affordability and patient experience.
The Healthathon is expected to attract participation from tech developers, health professionals, entrepreneurs and students seeking to contribute to innovation in the country's healthcare system.
The competition, now in its third edition, has been expanded from a regional initiative to a national programme, with registration opening on June 22 and closing on July 12. A live demonstration day is scheduled for August 28, where finalists will present their innovations to CIMAS executives, industry experts and innovation leaders.
CIMAS Health Group chief executive officer Vuli Ndlovu said the initiative seeks to position innovation as a key driver in addressing pressing healthcare challenges in the country.
"Innovation is changing how people access care, how systems operate, how data is used and how patients experience health care in Zimbabwe," said Ndlovu.
"I believe Zimbabwe cannot afford to be left behind, not because we just want to jump onto the bandwagon but because our healthcare sector faces real and urgent challenges.
"Access is not as good as we would want it to be, affordability is also a challenge. These are real problems that we need to deal with."
The total prize pool for the Healthathon is US$7,000, with the winner set to receive US$3,500, while the first and second runners-up will receive US$2,000 and US$1,500 respectively.
"We believe that these challenges present an opportunity to rethink our health care, innovate boldly and create practical solutions that can improve lives," he said.
"This is why we continue to invest in digital health innovation as part of our broader mission to inspire healthier communities.
"We think this can be a vehicle for change and really believe it should be more than a competition. It is a national platform for ideas, talent, collaboration and problem solving."
He said the Healthathon is designed to encourage Zimbabwean innovators to develop practical solutions that can improve healthcare delivery, especially in areas where access to services remains limited.
Zimbabwe's health sector has faced persistent challenges, including limited public funding, shortages of medicines and unequal access to healthcare services, with rural communities often the most affected.
CIMAS said the initiative aims to bridge some of these gaps by encouraging locally developed digital health solutions that can improve efficiency, affordability and patient experience.
The Healthathon is expected to attract participation from tech developers, health professionals, entrepreneurs and students seeking to contribute to innovation in the country's healthcare system.
Source - newzimbabwe
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