Western Australia’s Pilbara region is set to witness a significant advancement in healthcare delivery with the selection of ten cutting-edge digital solutions from a pool of nearly 100 global submissions. The $5 million competition, aptly named ‘The Challenge,’ was launched by the Cook Government to identify world-leading medical research and innovation solutions that may be able to revolutionise healthcare in the Pilbara.
The ten finalists were chosen after a rigorous evaluation process involving experts and stakeholders in the North West. These high-tech innovations encompass a diverse range of ideas leveraging technology to cater to different segments of the Pilbara community.
One notable innovation is a pioneering microneedle patch designed for efficient skin cancer screening. Another groundbreaking solution features cameras integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) to aid in the early detection of eye diseases.
Addressing communication gaps between Aboriginal community members and healthcare workers, another finalist has combined new technology with ancient wisdom. This solution incorporates artificial intelligence capable of communicating with patients in their traditional language and employs “digital yarning,” a technique developed by the CSIRO for sharing medical records through computer integration.
The Finalists
A full list of the ten finalists can be found below along with the finalist pitch videos from The Challenge.
- Pilbara Digital Twin by Telstra Health
- Pilbara Engage – Digital Care Pathways by Curve Tomorrow, WeGuide and DiabetesWA
- Healthy Connections by Curtin University
- Lyfe Languages by Women and Infants Research Foundation and Lyfe Languages project
- Health Innovation – Transformative Interconnected Digital Ecosystem (HI-TIDE) by the University of Western Australia
- Dreamscape – Virtual Journeys – Health and Happiness by Real Serious Games
- Chronic Disease Care on Country: Outreach Screening Incorporating Artificial Intelligence with Multidisciplinary Specialist Management by Lions Outback Vision and Lions Eye Institute
- Digital Yarning Using Interoperable Computer Integration for Sharing Medical Records and Photographs to Close the Gap by CSIRO and South Metropolitan Health Service
- The DermR Patch by DermR health Solutions
- Smarter, Faster and Culturally Safer Virtual Care using XRAI Vision by Agili8
$5 Million Prize
The $5 million prize for the competition is being delivered through a collaboration between BHP Group Limited, Rio Tinto, and the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund. The winner of the competition will be announced in October 2024.
Each of the ten finalists has been awarded $200,000 to implement their concepts in the Pilbara over a 12-month trial period.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson expressed pride in Western Australia’s position as a global leader in medical research, as evidenced by the international attention garnered by ‘The Challenge.’ Dawson commented, “All ten finalists are from Australia, and eight originate from WA, proving we breed innovative thinkers and support entry-level ideas.”
