Digital Health Innovation Accelerator
Digital solutions to combat the pandemic: an accelerator programme for globally equitable vaccine distribution
The challenge
It has been clear since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that individual countries cannot protect themselves from its effects alone. The pandemic can only be brought under control if there is a common and global commitment. Central to this is a policy of globally equitable vaccine distribution since the spread of the virus and emergence of new variants can only be contained if enough people worldwide have access to vaccinations.
But as of October 2022, only 23% of the population of the continent of Africa has received a vaccination.
Our approach
In collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), we launched the Digital Health Innovation Accelerator. This global ideas competition and subsequent funding phase seek to strengthen vaccine distribution and pandemic response capabilities by deploying digital solutions in local health care systems.
We are looking for scalable digital solutions that use open standards and open-source approaches to create global digital public goods, with a focus on building and supporting capacity for pandemic preparedness in low and middle-income countries. In this way, we are not only combating the current pandemic, but sustainably promoting systems for a fairer future.
Our project goals
In 2022 we have identified six digital innovations in collaboration with WFP and will develop them appropriately for piloting in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Our aim is to monitor and financially support two to four of these solutions in the long term.
Pandemic control can only be global and collaborative.
The program selects the brightest and best minds worldwide to support the COVID-19 vaccination campaign with their already proven digital solutions.
Impact
We are accelerating pandemic response and vaccination management.
Partner countries
Solutions are scouted and developed globally; piloted in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Sierra Leone, Nigeria.
Implementation partners:
GIZ, BMZ, WFP Innovation Accelerator + local digital health startups
