The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and Speak Up Africa have unveiled the winners of the second Africa Young Innovators for Health Award. Teniola Adedeji from Nigeria and Dr. Moses Ochora from Uganda secured the first prize, while Nura Izath from Uganda and Muhammad Abdullahi from Nigeria were awarded the second prize.
This announcement took place during the Galien Forum Africa, which celebrates scientific creativity and excellence in Africa. The Africa Young Innovators for Health Award provides financial support and resources to young entrepreneurs, enabling them to advance innovations for improved healthcare outcomes in their communities.
The second edition of the award focused on innovations to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Africa. While many African governments have committed to achieving UHC by 2030, there is a need to accelerate progress. The award highlighted innovations that can expand population and service coverage and ensure financial protection for patients.
Teniola Adedeji, CEO of Pharmarun in Nigeria, and first prize winner, expressed the mission of Pharmarun to provide fast and easy access to medication, promoting collaboration among pharmacies to ensure universal health coverage.
Dr. Moses Ochora, Co-Founder and CEO of Photo-Kabada in Uganda and another first prize winner, highlighted the award as an opportunity to bring their neonatal jaundice solution into clinical practice, emphasizing the importance of homegrown solutions in achieving UHC.
Yacine Djibo, Executive Director and Founder of Speak Up Africa, stressed the importance of fresh health innovations in achieving UHC, which formed the theme of the award’s second edition.
Thomas Cueni, Director General of IFPMA, expressed the organization’s commitment to accelerating innovation for Universal Healthcare Coverage and celebrated the gender equality in this year’s awards.
Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall, Director of Neglected Tropical Disease at the World Health Organization, commended the program for its contribution to achieving universal health coverage.
The Africa Young Innovators for Health Award, launched by Speak Up Africa and IFPMA in 2021, supports young health entrepreneurs across Africa in advancing healthcare solutions for their communities.
The awards program is supported by various organizations and media partners and provides winners with funding, business mentorship, intellectual property rights guidance, media training, and access to a network of supporters and partners.
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