Announcing the finalists of the challenge "The future of health" Global

ABU DHABI, 7 APRIL / WAM / The “Future of Health – a global initiative from Abu Dhabi”, in cooperation with the “MIT Solve” initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, announced the names of the five finalists to the final stage of the global “Future of Health” challenge, in a step that reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to developing proactive health care models based on data, especially in light of the increasing burdens facing health systems around the world as a result of the spread of chronic diseases, high rates of aging among the population, and limited access to early detection services.

The challenge bears the slogan “Utilizing sensor technologies to build proactive health care systems,” as it was designed to develop innovative solutions that enable early detection of health risks, monitor and sense changes in the health of populations and communities, and expand the scope of the shift towards preventive and proactive care models.

The list of finalists included SOIK Corporation from Japan through the SPAQ system, which is a community sensing system supported by artificial intelligence that aims to early detect risks facing mothers in resource-limited environments, along with Huna from Brazil through the Huna Cancer Navigator system, which relies on employing artificial intelligence in analyzing routine blood tests with the aim of facilitating early detection of cancer and enabling patients to actively participate in enhancing their health care.

The list also included the company “ThinkMD” from Australia, which provides a digital platform aimed at improving the level of health care provided by field health specialists by providing them with immediate analytical information that supports public health measures, in addition to the company “Vector Control Innovations” from the United States, which developed the “Vector Cam” community-based mosquito monitoring platform supported by artificial intelligence, with the aim of generating predictive insights that contribute to supporting decision-making in health systems with limited resources.

The list also included the company “Arkangel AI” from Colombia through the “Anred Signal” technical program, which transforms clinical observations into early warning indicators at the population level, and is currently used in more than 300 hospitals distributed in 11 countries around the world.

The finalists will showcase their innovative solutions during a live presentation session held within the World Health Assembly in Geneva on May 19, where one winner will be selected for the grand prize of US$200,000, in addition to two prizes for second and third places worth US$50,000 each, in addition to providing the winning teams with the opportunity to access a global network that includes policy makers, investors and health sector leaders.

Dr. Asma Al Mannai, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said that selecting the finalists for the “Future of Health” challenge reflects Abu Dhabi’s endeavors towards developing proactive health care systems that go beyond treating the disease after its discovery to understanding health risks early and taking the necessary measures and measures proactively, stressing that the emirate will continue to build an integrated, data-based health system that combines technology and health policies to achieve better health outcomes for communities.

She added that the “Future of Health” program of initiatives and events extending throughout the year works to develop paths that combine global innovation and practical application, ensuring that advanced solutions are tested, expanded, and integrated within various health systems.

For her part, Hala Hanna, Executive Director of the MIT Solve Initiative, stressed that the volume and diversity of entries reflects the urgent and shared global need to rethink how health systems monitor and respond to risks, noting that the solutions presented by the finalists demonstrate the ability of local models to contribute to directing health transformation at the global level.

Since its launch, the challenge has attracted 393 participants from 68 countries, which reflects a growing global momentum that is consistent with Abu Dhabi’s vision aimed at reshaping the future of health globally through innovation and international cooperation.

The selection of the finalists followed a multi-stage evaluation process that included live performances from ten teams that qualified for the semi-final stage, where five teams were selected based on their ability to transform health data into actionable insights and achieve tangible impact in various healthcare environments and systems around the world.

The list of teams that qualified for the semi-final stage and were honored included: Quantitative Engineering Design / QED.ai from Malawi via the “ScanForm” system, Nabta Health Company from the UAE via the “Sovereign Workforce Health” system, the eSHIFT Partner Network from Switzerland via the “Facility Pulse” project, The Antara Foundation from India via the “Anugami” project, and the Environmental Women Organization from Colombia via the “EthnoHealth AI” project.

As part of the selection process, ten teams from several countries around the world were honored, including the UAE, Nepal, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, the United States, India, Thailand and Kenya, in recognition of their scientific contributions and innovative solutions in developing the future of health care.

A representative of each semi-final team, along with the teams selected in the “Special Commendation” category, will be invited to present their innovations during the Future of Health Summit hosted by Abu Dhabi during the period from 20 to 22 October next year, allowing them to communicate directly with global policy makers, investors and leaders of the health sector, in support of enhancing innovation, accelerating the adoption of advanced health solutions, and building a more sustainable and comprehensive health future.

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