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Writes Kundai Marunya
Harare, Zimbabwe – At the Cimas HIT Healthathon 2.0, held yesterday at Borrowdale Office Park, the future of healthcare innovation took center stage with a spotlight on the groundbreaking Epi App, which clinched the grand prize. The event drew nine talented innovators from various tertiary institutions, all eager to showcase their revolutionary ideas aimed at transforming Zimbabwe’s healthcare landscape.
The Epi App, developed by Munashe Dube, a Bioengineering student at the University of Zimbabwe, and Lincoln Casette, an Electronics Engineering graduate from the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), was awarded the grand prize of US$1,500. The mobile application aims to provide real-time monitoring for epilepsy patients, addressing a significant public health challenge in Zimbabwe where timely diagnosis and management of epilepsy are often lacking.
Dube’s impassioned presentation highlighted the app’s potential to drastically reduce the risks associated with epilepsy. “Our team is ecstatic about this achievement because we worked tirelessly, day and night, to develop this system within a limited timeframe. Winning reinforces the value of hard work and determination. Even if you don’t succeed at first, keep pushing forward because success will eventually come,” Dube shared.
The Healthathon also recognized other exceptional projects:
– Second place: Astro’s telemedicine platform aimed at improving healthcare access in rural areas, awarded US$1,000.
– Third place: Hypernova’s AI-driven diagnostic tool for early detection of infectious diseases, earning US$750.
– Fourth place: Eskani Systems’ mobile app for medication adherence and patient management, awarded US$500.
– Fifth place: Dev Bytes’ digital health solution for efficient claims adjudication and fraud detection, earning US$400.
Cimas COO Thando Kembo emphasized the importance of the Healthathon in fostering community collaboration for future-proof healthcare solutions. “This Healthathon is a step towards partnering with the communities we serve to develop relevant and sustainable solutions. As life expectancy increases, especially in Africa, we must ensure that people not only live longer but also healthier and happier lives,” Kembo stated.
Dr. Beaullah Chirume, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Courier Services, called for Zimbabwe-specific technological solutions. “Our unique conditions demand solutions rooted in our local context,” she remarked, praising the participants for their innovative spirit.
Dr. Chirume underscored the need to pivot ICT usage from social media to critical sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture. “Our infrastructure should enhance essential services that have a direct impact on lives,” she advocated, promoting the use of accessible smart devices to bridge the digital divide.
Encouraging the young innovators, Dr. Chirume highlighted their pivotal role in shaping Zimbabwe’s technological future. “You are the architects of tomorrow. Innovate for Zimbabwe,” she urged, assuring the Ministry’s support for tech advancement.
The Cimas HIT Healthathon, focused on leveraging artificial intelligence and technology to tackle pressing health issues, was a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. The event set the stage for future breakthroughs, with inspiring presentations and dynamic problem-solving, signaling a bright future for healthcare innovation in the region.
