Introduction

Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya in collaboration with Kenya UK Alliance (KUKHA) presents to you the 1st Annual Kenya Healthcare Innovation Challenge Awards (KHICA) on November 24-25, 2022 at United States International University (USIU) - Africa.

Innovation is a vehicle that facilitates disruption through which new avenues and solutions to existing challenges are created. Innovation also opens up new ways and opportunities for collaboration and brings order to disruption.

Innovations have provided solutions to various challenges in developed and developing communities that directly impact public health, curative health, and mortality, among other health aspects, Indirectly, innovation impacts social, economic, and political aspects of all communities.

Healthcare challenges, unmet healthcare needs, and advances in healthcare create a need to innovate as part of solution finding.

Background/Situation Analysis
The COVID-19 tragedy created opportunities for many to think outside the box. We all looked for a way to solve the many challenges that COVID-19 brought to light. Many innovations from hand sanitizers to soap dispensers, to ventilators, to the ways of doing business virtually, were put in motion to solve challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The further away we get from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, the less and less we hear of new healthcare innovations. KHICA awards will reverse this trend and encourage healthcare innovations.

Comprehensive surveys of global research and development R&D Funding in the healthcare innovation space, have shown that Investments going to healthcare related innovations have substantially increased. The KHICA awards showcase innovations and inventors to the healthcare investment community.

Problem Statement and Justification
PSK with partners will provide a home and an enabling environment to recognize healthcare innovations and inventors. The KHICA (Kenya Healthcare Innovation Challenge Annual Awards) will, on an annual basis, acknowledge, promote, support, and encourage innovations in healthcare. The vaccine development technologies and the speed at which the COVID-19 vaccines were developed are a testimony to the value of healthcare innovations. The COVID-19 vaccine was developed at a ‘break-neck speed' owing to novel and innovative technologies.

Goals and Objectives

• Provide a home for healthcare innovation for many years to come.
• To provide a home where healthcare innovations are celebrated.
• To provide a platform for inventors to learn.
• To provide a platform for investors to invest in new healthcare technologies.
• To encourage the ‘solution-finding-mind-set’ from young age Local solutions for local challenges.
• To provide mentorship and handholding for new inventors, a path from Idea to product.

Methodology and Approach
KHICA team will put out healthcare innovations call to the public. KHICA has selection criteria for which all applications will be held. The select the readiest ones. The winners will be chosen from the selected group. In addition to the winnings, KHICA in conjunction with partners will hold a full day of classes to educate the inventors on business, legal, marketing, accounting, pitching, etc. processes. To tool the applicants for entrepreneurial success.

All applicants will be eligible for these classes. The second day will include a time for select innovations to be highlighted, free public healthcare services to all, and announcing the prize winners. The service component is to instil the service to others to all the inventors and partners.

Students from various levels of our educational system will be invited to see and participate in the challenge. The goal is to include students from all educational levels from year 2 of KHICA awards onwards.

Prize packages are still in development and will depend on the partners and what they bring.

Expected Results
We expect the process will yield 5-10 solid ideas which, together with our partners, will provide the needed support. Some entrepreneurs will get funded to continue with their journey to produce a product.

For partnership opportunities please contact:

• Phone: +254 727 415 899
• Email: innovations@psk.or.ke
• Web: www.psk.or.ke

KHICA Conference FAQs
What is the theme of the conference?
Showcasing Innovations and Inventors to the Healthcare Investment Community

What are the goals of the conference?

• Provide a home for healthcare innovation for many years to come.
• To provide a home where healthcare innovations are celebrated.
• To provide a platform for inventors to learn.
• To provide a platform for investors to invest in new healthcare technologies.
• To encourage the ‘solution-finding-mind-set’ from a young age Local solutions for local challenges.
• To provide mentorship and handholding for new inventors, a path from Idea to product

How do I register as a participant for the conference?
Register as a participant for the conference by visiting the KHICA website
https://khica.psk.or.ke/registration or https://forms.gle/QtXTHa3uUWPa1eJS9. You can either complete the online form.

How do I submit my idea?
You can submit your idea to present at the conference by filling in our online form https://forms.gle/t9DKKbvJVLi6CvWUA. Please note that PSK, KUKHA and USIU-Africa are not responsible for any patent infringement that might occur. Please ensure that you keep the “SECRET SAUCE” away from all.

What is the cost of registration?
There are no registration fees.

What do I get from registering to the conference?
Your registration provides you access to all of the plenary presentations, high level keynote presentations, and multiple social and networking receptions that make up the conference.

Can I register when I get to the conference?
We encourage all attendees to register for the conference in advance. This allows us to plan accordingly for the appropriate number of attendees. However, we know sometimes plans are made at the last minute. If you arrive at the conference and still need to register, please see our team at the registration desk for assistance.

Can I see what sessions will be presented before I arrive on site?
Yes. The program for the conference will be posted online as soon as it is finalized.

How can I find out when someone is scheduled to present?
The online searchable schedule for the Annual Meeting has information about each of the sessions being presented.

What are the plenary sessions?
Plenary sessions are usually lectures or speeches designed to appeal to a broad range of meeting attendees.

Who can attend the conference?
The conference is open to the public upon registration on the KHICA website - https://khica.psk.or.ke/registration or online form https://forms.gle/QtXTHa3uUWPa1eJS9