Ten high-tech digital solutions have been selected from almost 100 global submissions in a worldwide search to help improve the delivery of healthcare in Western Australia’s vast Pilbara region.
In October last year, the State Government issued a $5 million Global Health Challenge to researchers, calling for world-leading medical research and innovation solutions to improve health service delivery in the Pilbara.
The ten finalists were chosen following two stages of judging from experts and stakeholders on the ground in the North West. The group presented a wide range of ideas that leverage technology to help different groups within the Pilbara community.
The innovations include a first-of-its-kind microneedle patch to help screen for skin cancers, cameras with integrated AI which aid in screening for eye disease, and digital imaging which “understands” people’s health needs in a virtual world using 3D goggles.
Another finalist has designed a solution to help close communication gaps between Aboriginal community members and healthcare workers. New technology is being combined with ancient wisdom, adapting artificial intelligence to speak to patients in their traditional language, as well as ‘digital yarning’, using computer integration developed by the CSIRO for sharing medical records.
Meet the Finalists
- Pilbara Digital Twin, Telstra Health
- Pilbara Engage – Digital Care Pathways, Curve Tomorrow, WeGuide and DiabetesWA
- Healthy Connections, Curtin University
- Lyfe Languages, Women and Infants Research Foundation and Lyfe Languages project
- Health Innovation – Transformative Interconnected Digital Ecosystem (HI-TIDE), UWA
- Dreamscape – Virtual Journeys – Health and Happiness, Real Serious Games
- Chronic Disease Care on Country: Outreach Screening Incorporating AI with Multidisciplinary Specialist Management, Lions Outback Vision and Lions Eye Institute
- Digital Yarning Using Interoperable Computer Integration for Sharing Medical Records and Photographs to Close the Gap, CSIRO and South Metropolitan Health Service
- The DermR Patch, DermR health Solutions
- Smarter, Faster and Culturally Safer Virtual Care using XRAI Vision, Agili8
You can view some of the solutions here:
BHP Group Limited, Rio Tinto and the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund have partnered to deliver the $5 million prize, which will be announced in October 2024.
Each of the ten finalists has been awarded $200,000 to embed their concept in the Pilbara for 12 months to prove it works. The group will partner with key health stakeholders in the region, to help them understand the unique landscape, population, and local health needs, and develop culturally appropriate applications.
“The global attention the Challenge has attracted has put Western Australia in the spotlight as a leader in medical research,” said Science, Innovation and Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson in a statement.
All ten finalists are from Australia, and eight originate from WA, proving we breed innovative thinkers and support entry-level ideas.
Minister for Science, Innovation and Medical Research, Stephen Dawson MLC
It’s also great to see some of the major scientific agencies step up to The Challenge, with CSIRO, Telstra Health, Curtin University and the University of Western Australia among the finalists.
“I wish all ten finalists the best of luck as they embark on the next chapter of the competition – proving their concept works over 12 months.”
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