Government launches digital health Innovation Challenge

The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) has launched an Innovation Challenge to support the healthcare sector during COVID-19, and is asking for submissions from digital health, engineering and biomedical innovators.

As part of the challenge, thought leaders attempting to solve some of the most pressing issues in these fields will compete for government funding to scale their solution.

Running for seven days, the challenge will consider innovations from across several key themes: digital clinical care, digital social care, digital health population management and future preparedness.

The initiative is part of the agency’s broader National Digital Health Strategy, which strives to foster industry growth and create the right innovation settings for the sector.

ADHA Chief Digital Officer Steven Issa said, “Some of the world’s best innovators are here in Australia. The Australian Government stands ready to support them in what they do best — solve problems in new ways.

“By running an Innovation Challenge, we will uncover the most innovative ideas at a time we need them most.

“We want these ideas to consider the extensive digital health infrastructure already in place — including healthcare identifiers, standards for data interchange and the My Health Record — so the ideas can be scaled across the country.”

It is hoped that the challenge will also provide lasting benefits to Australia’s economy and healthcare sector beyond the pandemic.

“We know that collaborating with creative thinkers will not only enhance how we, as a nation, respond to this health emergency; it will also prepare us for future ones, helping to mitigate risk, improve health outcomes and, most importantly, save lives,” said Issa.

A range of partners from across government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors will be involved in assessing applications. They will also step in to provide practical assistance to successful solutions, on their path to scale.

Applications will close at 11.59 pm AEST on Sunday, 10 May.

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