THE GLOBAL GOALS

We all know that we face big challenges in today’s world: poverty, hunger, inequality and climate change are just some of the issues we need to address urgently.

Big challenges need bold action to overcome them, and that is where the Sustainable Development Global Goals come in. They are a plan agreed to by United Nations member states to build a greener, fairer, better world by 2030, and we all have a role in achieving them.

Who are We Looking For?

Aiming to deliver impact at scale, the program focuses in particular on technological innovations and systemic solutions targeting underserved populations, including children, adolescents, and women. Specific criteria is listed below:

  • Open to for-profit and non-profit startups.
  • Startups may be focused in any area of health and wellbeing, including but not limited to clinical care, public health, community-based health, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Startups may also focus on core operational areas, such as health-focused logistics, fintech, or edtech solutions.
  • Solutions directly impacting a determinant of health must be able to clearly explain the health impacts of their business, and why creating connections in the health space would be strategic for their growth.
  • Solutions may be focused on both the public or private sectors and may have a business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C) approach.

Immersion week at Impact Hub Basel

promising startups focusing on health and wellbeing from Impact Hub Medellín, Impact Hub Accra, and Impact Hub Dakar were in Basel. They had a very intense week with speed networking, pitch exercises, a storytelling workshop with Benjamin Delahaye, developing Business Model Canvas with Aurélie Moser ???? Boosting your innovations, a Hackathon at Geneva Hub for Global Digital Health (GDHUB) a trip to the mountains and much more.

Program Details

Lafiya Innovators is a six-month incubation and acceleration program taking place in three locations throughout West Africa and Latin America. Each regional cohort will combine community collaboration with specialized health and business expertise, providing entrepreneurs with a locally-rooted, globally-connected experience.

Participating startups will be enrolled in a regional cohort hosted in Accra (Ghana), Dakar (Senegal), or Medellín (Colombia). Early-stage startups will grow their professional network, establish a basic business model, and develop a minimum viable product. Mid-stage startups will further iterate and expand on their existing business model and complete the due diligence process for fundraising.

Ready to get started? Applications open soon!

Who are We Looking For?

Aiming to deliver impact at scale, the program focuses in particular on technological innovations and systemic solutions targeting underserved populations, including children, adolescents, and women. Specific criteria is listed below:

  • Open to for-profit and non-profit startups.
  • Startups may be focused in any area of health and wellbeing, including but not limited to clinical care, public health, community-based health, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Startups may also focus on core operational areas, such as health-focused logistics, fintech, or edtech solutions.
  • Solutions directly impacting a determinant of health must be able to clearly explain the health impacts of their business, and why creating connections in the health space would be strategic for their growth.
  • Solutions may be focused on both the public or private sectors and may have a business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C) approach.

ENSURE HEALTHY LIVES

AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING FOR

ALL AT ALL AGES.

Over the last 15 years, the number of childhood deaths has been cut in half. This proves that it is possible to win the fight against almost every disease. Still, we are spending an astonishing amount of money and resources on treating illnesses that are surprisingly easy to prevent. The new goal for worldwide Good Health promotes healthy lifestyles, preventive measures and modern, efficient healthcare for everyone.

THE TARGETS

REDUCE MATERNAL MORTALITY

By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.

END ALL PREVENTABLE DEATHS UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE

By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality.

NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH

By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

FIGHT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.

SUPPORT RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO VACCINES AND MEDICINES

Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines

ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE

Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

REDUCE ILLNESSES AND DEATH FROM HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND POLLUTION

By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

INCREASE HEALTH FINANCING AND SUPPORT HEALTH WORKFORCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States.

DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Many factors combine together to affect the health of individuals and communities. Whether people are healthy or not, is determined by their circumstances and environment. To a large extent, factors such as where we live, the state of our environment, genetics, our income and education level, and our relationships with friends and family all have considerable impacts on health, whereas the more commonly considered factors such as access and use of health care services often have less of an impact.

What are the determinants of health?

The determinants of health include:

  • the social and economic environment,
  • the physical environment, and
  • the person’s individual characteristics and behaviours.

The context of people’s lives determine their health, and so blaming individuals for having poor health or crediting them for good health is inappropriate. Individuals are unlikely to be able to directly control many of the determinants of health. These determinants – or things that make people healthy or not- need to be considered through a more holistic approach and a systemic view. 

How does evidence-based approach work within health impact assessment?

Providing a comprehensive review of the evidence base is not simple. It needs to draw on the best available evidence – that from reviews and research papers, and including qualitative and quantitative evidence. This information must be supplemented with local and expert knowledge, policy information, and proposal specific information.

However, there are examples where the best available evidence has been documented, and in some cases summarised. These are presented below:

  • Transport
  • Food and Agriculture
  • Housing
  • Waste
  • Energy
  • Industry
  • Urbanization
  • Water
  • Radiation
  • Nutrition and health

Developed by Impact Hub Basel – and implemented in collaboration with Impact Hub Accra, Impact Hub Dakar, Impact Hub Medellín, and Impact Hub Phnom Penh – the program supports ambitious entrepreneurs throughout the venture lifecycle, from determining a basic business model to completing the due diligence process. Lafiya Innovators is financially supported by Fondation Botnar and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Global Programme Health.

Verein Impact Hub BaselHorburgstrasse 105CH-4057 Baselbasel@impacthub.net ORlafiya.innovators@impacthub.net +41 76 500 40 53