CAMTech Uganda Medtech Hack-a-thon Innovating to improve neonatal and maternal health

The 5th Annual CAMTech Uganda Medtech Hack-a-thon brought together bright minds from across the globe to develop innovative medical technologies that can improve neonatal and maternal health in low-resource settings.

Friday, August 25, 2017

CAMTech Uganda convened over 250 participants for a Clinical Challenge Summit to kick-off the weekend's hack-a-thon with an introduction from Dr. Data Santorino, CAMTech Uganda Country Manager. Philippa Ngaju Makobore, the Department Head of the Instrumentation Division at the Ugandan Industrial Research Institute, moderated the Clinical Challenge Summit. Clinical experts also addressed innovators on panels focused on pediatric and neonatal health, nursing, midwifery, obstetrics and gynecology.

Before hacking, innovators traveled on clinical visits to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Ishaka Adventist Hospital, Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital and Itojo Hospital to identify challenges facing providers delivering neonatal and maternal health services in low- and middle-income countries.

Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital

The Clinical Challenge Summit concluded with a Business Workshop organized by Nuriat Nambogo and Jacob Fohtung of CAMTech Uganda, an innovation showcase and a presentation by Samuel Mugisha of Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Innovators gathered Friday evening for a cocktail reception at the Massachusetts General Hospital Guest House in Mbarara before commencing the 48-hour-long hack-a-thon.

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Hack-a-thon Day 1 began with opening remarks from Celestino Obua, the Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Dr. Kristian Olson, Director of CAMTech. Hack-a-thon speakers included Theodora T. Twongyirwe, the Chair of the CAMTech Uganda Board, Dr. Kristian Olson and Jacob Fohtung, who presented on design thinking to familiarize innovators with user-centered design before hacking.

"It can be the start of a journey. CAMTech Boston together with CAMTech Uganda under the leadership of Dr. Data started five years ago with this idea that if we talk to people who are focusing on challenges that are in their own communities, they'll come up with better solutions." - Dr. Kristian Olson, Director of CAMTech

Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, Uganda's Minister for Science, Technology and Innovations, opened the 5th Annual CAMTech Uganda Medtech Hack-a-thon and represented the Government of Uganda's commitment to innovating affordable medical technologies.

"The Ministry and the Government are interested in supporting you, and we are here for you. In the coming years, we shall see the prototypes from the hack-a-thon being funded in the country." - Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovations

Dr. Annabella Habinka and Alexis Steel, Senior Manager for Global Operations at CAMTech, introduced the rules, format and judging criteria during Hack-a-thon 101.

Participants pitched clinical challenges to other innovators before forming teams.

After pitching potential innovations, the hack-a-thon officially began with innovators forming of cross-disciplinary teams, the opening of the Hack Store and mentor briefing at the Mbarara University of Science and Technology Resource Center.

Teams continued to hack on Saturday overnight into Sunday morning before practice pitches.

Sunday, August 27, 2017

By Sunday morning, teams rehearsed during practice presentations before showcasing their innovations to judges on Hack-a-thon Day 2.

Judges began their first round of judging to select the top 6 teams after 24 hours of hacking.

Competing for $2,000 USD (2,500,800 UGX) in funding and acceleration support from CAMTech, the top 6 teams presented once more to the panel of judges.

Dr. Frank Tumwebaze, Uganda's Minister for Information, Communication and Technology, closed the event by addressing innovators as an alumnus of Mbarara University of Science and Technology and as a supporter of CAMTech Uganda.

"Despite all the improvements in health, regrettably we still have mothers and newborns die from preventable causes." - Dr. Frank Tumwebaze, Uganda's Minister for Information, Communication and Technology

Grand Prize Winner

CAMTech Uganda awarded Team Kangaroo+ $780 USD/2,500,800 UGX and acceleration support for their affordable medical technology, a low-cost neojacket that warms and monitors the vitals of preterm babies in low-resource settings.

First Runner-Up

Team Safe and Dry received $625 USD (2,000,000 UGX) for innovating a fistula collection tool.

Second Runner-Up

Team MBT received $470 USD (1,500,800 UGX) for a device treating menstrual cramps.

Third Runner-Up

Team 54 received $220 USD (700,800 UGX) for a low-cost infant warmer.

CAMTech congratulates all four teams on their dedication to improving neonatal and maternal health in low-resource settings and thanks our partners at Mbarara University of Science and Technology for their continued support.

Created By
Nicholas Diamond
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