- WA’s healthcare delivery challenge attracts global interest
- WA Health received 93 submissions from around the world
- Ten finalists to be announced in June 2023 with proof-of-concept to follow
A global challenge to brainstorm ground-breaking ideas for healthcare delivery in Western Australia’s Pilbara region has progressed to the next stage.
Judging is now underway for The Challenge, which dared scientists to harness digital technology to rethink the way regional and remote communities access health services.
In total, 93 submissions were received – a mix of innovators and researchers, start-ups and established companies from Australia and across the globe including India, the United States of America, Southeast Asia and Europe.
Applications for The Challenge will be reviewed by two judging panels.
Panel one will be comprised of experts from across research, innovation, digital health and consumer advocacy. The panel will review all applications and provide a shortlist of finalists.
Panel two consists of a group of local stakeholders working in the Pilbara and will be responsible for selecting 10 finalists from the shortlist.
Prioritising the solutions and ideas that best meet the needs of people living and working in the Pilbara, the local panel will also suggest appropriate partner organisations for each finalist.
At stake is a $5 million prize, supported by BHP Group Limited, Rio Tinto Group and the Future Health and Research Innovation Fund.
The winner will need to demonstrate proof-of-concept against an outcomes-based framework and integrate solutions into existing models of healthcare delivery in the Pilbara.
From July, the 10 finalists will have 12 months to roll-out their projects and prove their concepts, with opportunities to present their findings along the way.
An overall winner will be announced in October 2024.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
“I’m thrilled to see so much interest in The Challenge, both locally and from around the world – our call for fresh ideas has well and truly been answered!
“With judging now underway, we’re getting closer to our goal of developing new innovations for access to quality health care for all Western Australians.
“New or existing technologies can be harnessed to improve health outcomes for people living in the Pilbara, a region spanning more than 500,000 square kilometres.
“That is what The Challenge is all about – finding ways for people who live in regional and remote communities to regularly access quality health care.
“I wish to thank the applicants – who are based all around the world – that have taken up The Challenge and look forward to seeing the proof-of-concept finalists roll out their projects in the coming months.
“Watch this space for a history-making digital healthcare solution.”
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
“This is a great initiative supported by Rio Tinto and BHP for our Pilbara residents.
“The Challenge encourages innovators and researchers to brainstorm, collaborate and develop ground-breaking solutions which enhance healthcare in the Pilbara.
“Judging is now underway and I would like to thank all applicants who participated. It is fantastic to hear that WA Health received 93 submissions both locally and from around the world.
“I look forward to seeing what innovations and technologies The Challenge reveals to improve healthcare and support thriving communities in the Pilbara.”
