BY SAMUEL NABWIISO
Johnson & Johnson has launched the Champions of Science
Africa Innovation Challenge 2.0, the second continent-wide competition
challenge will see the best Innovator in science and Environment receiving
about USD$ 50,000 in funding and mentorship
.
The 2.0 challenge is designed to address the critical unmet needs
of the continent and local communities in Africa while providing support to
Africa-based entrepreneurs in creating innovative health care products and
services. . The challenge focuses on identifying scalable and sustainable
solutions to six major health and environmental problems for Africa’s
population.
Among the selection
criteria, entries must demonstrate the potential for scale from proof of concept
stage to long-term sustainability. Commenting on the development Josh Ghaim,
Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. and member
of the Johnson & Johnson Research & Development Management Committee said
Africa’s Environmental and Health challenges can be mitigated through
supporting innovators to come up with solutions.
“The growing number
of innovation hubs throughout Africa is sparking a new generation of
entrepreneurs who are innovating and finding new solutions for issues facing
their communities, our goal with the second Africa Innovation Challenge is to expand
our support for the region’s entrepreneurs by pushing the boundaries of
creative solutions to meet several areas of urgent need. With six new solution
categories,” He explained.
He added by explaining that at Johnson & Johnson, they believe in principle that a great idea can come from anyone, anywhere,
and we work with entrepreneurs around the world to relentlessly pursue
innovations that advance and enhance the health of everyone, everywhere.
. The Africa Innovation Challenge provides an important
platform to support emerging entrepreneurs and help accelerate the development
of unique, sustainable health care and environmental solutions
Speaking at the same
occasion during the Launch of 2,0 Africa challenge in South Africa
Alma Scott, Vice President, Operations and Partnerships, Global Public
Health, Johnson & Johnson. Said that solving last-mile challenges through
local empowerment offers the greatest potential impact in the fight against
public health challenges, and that it can also help fuel the local economy and
catalyze infrastructure investments
The challenge’s six new solution categories aim to address
significant threats to Africa’s health care systems and environment and they
include Botanical Solutions: Sixty to eighty percent of households in Africa
still rely on traditional medicine to care for themselves and loved ones. Johnson & Johnson are
seeking naturally-derived, plant-based solutions that tap into traditional
knowledge and deliver consumer health and wellness benefits through topical
application.
Packaging Innovations: Managing packaging waste from the
increasing consumption in Africa is a challenge for many communities. We The organization
are seeking sustainable innovations for
packaging of single-dose units and other affordable product sizes that will
reduce or eliminate waste, while protecting the product.
Thirdly the challenge also focus on Mental Health: Caring
for someone with mental illness, especially the youth, can be very challenging
for rural communities. As a result, 75-85% of persons living with mental
illness in Africa may not have access to mental health care. We are seeking innovations that create
awareness for mental illness as a public health problem and offer solutions for
patients, caregivers, and their communities to address these issues.
Other areas where the innovators can submitter their entries
include Health Worker Support, Digital Health Tools, and Essential Surgical Care.
According to the organization Challenge submissions may originate from anywhere
in Africa, and from one or more individuals, teams or companies; subject to
certain eligibility requirements set out in the terms and conditions for the
challenge.
To apply to the Challenge and review the applicable terms
and conditions, please visit the Africa Innovation Challenge website. The
deadline to submit applications is January 16, 2019. Neither Johnson &
Johnson nor any of its companies is granted any rights to applicant ideas as a
result of their participation in the Challenge. Applicants and winners remain
free to continue the further development of their ideas on their own. Award
recipients will be announced in spring 2019.
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