How can South Sudan develop a health informatics innovation ecosystem?

Building a health informatics innovation ecosystem in South Sudan requires: a critical mass of trained health informatics professionals (which SSHIA is working to develop through training and mentorship); a supportive regulatory environment that allows digital health innovations to be piloted and scaled; funding mechanisms for health informatics startups and research; collaboration between government, academia, civil society, and the private sector; and connections to regional and global health informatics networks. SSHIA is working to create the conditions for a health informatics innovation ecosystem through its training, advocacy, and partnership activities.

Innovation hubs and incubators can play an important role in supporting health informatics entrepreneurs. SSHIA is exploring the possibility of establishing a health informatics innovation hub in Juba that would provide workspace, mentorship, and funding support for health informatics startups. Members who are interested in contributing to this initiative are encouraged to contact the SSHIA Secretariat.