This essay is part of a special collection of youth authored essays written by DTH-Lab’s Regional Youth Champions (2023-2024). The full collection of essays can be found here in the partnering document of the global interim report on Building a blueprint for digital first health systems: Findings from global youth consultations.
In the global pursuit of universal healthcare coverage, developing countries face complex and multifaceted challenges ranging from constrained resources to immature infrastructure. Amidst these hurdles, youth entrepreneurship emerges as a beacon of hope for spearheading the construction of digital health systems tailored to meet the unique needs of these nations.
In the Global South, where conventional healthcare systems struggle to reach remote rural areas and cater for marginalized communities, young entrepreneurs emerge as trailblazers. Their innovative spirit, technological aptitude and deep understanding of local challenges encourage them to conceive and implement tech-enhanced solutions that effectively bridge existing healthcare disparities.
Youth-led startups are the best at leveraging existing infrastructures creatively. By repurposing everyday devices like smartphones and utilizing low-bandwidth technologies, they can devise a spectrum of digital health solutions (from mHealth, telemedicine, and EHR platforms, to community-based healthcare models) which are accommodating the limitations of connectivity and resources in historically underserved communities. This adaptability ensures that innovations are not just technologically sophisticated but also practical and applicable within local contexts.
The journey of young digital health entrepreneurs is not without obstacles, however. Limited access to capital funding and technological resources pose significant challenges, especially in for-profit ventures where sustainability is essential for continued innovation and impact. Additionally, digital literacy among clients and healthcare professionals, navigating complex regulatory and compliance frameworks, and establishing partnerships for scalability remain a daunting task for both nonprofit and for-profit HealthTech institutions led by young leaders.
In my country of Iraq, for example, young entrepreneurs are behind the first and only digital health initiatives present in the country, which mainly consist of telemedicine and EHR platforms. Iraq is overwhelmed with the major challenges of infrastructure disparities, data interoperability, regulatory framework limitations, and insufficient budget allocations which in turn handicap innovation in its healthcare system.
Therefore, we require a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders to foster youth-led digital health solutions. Governments need to create conducive regulatory environments and provide support mechanisms such as funding, mentorship and incubation spaces. Collaboration with private sectors, NGOs and international organizations becomes imperative to amplify the impact of these entrepreneurial endeavours.
Education plays a crucial role in nurturing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Integrating entrepreneurship education within medical curricula equips young medics with the skills and mindset necessary to identify healthcare gaps and design viable bridges. This approach not only cultivates future innovators but also empowers communities to take charge of their healthcare needs.
Investing in youth entrepreneurship in digital health is not merely an economical development initiative; it’s an investment in sustainable, community-centric healthcare. By harnessing the untapped potential of youth, developing nations can leapfrog traditional healthcare barriers, offering innovative, cost-effective, and scalable solutions that prioritize the health and well-being of their populations.
Finally, the convergence of youth entrepreneurship and digital innovation presents a formidable opportunity to revolutionize healthcare infrastructures in developing countries. By nurturing and empowering young innovators, we pave the way for a future where healthcare is not constrained by geographic boundaries but rather becomes a fundamental human right, accessible to all.
Nojus Saad is a health technology entrepreneur, medical doctor, and social justice advocate with 7+ years of multinational research, policy development, and social entrepreneurial expertise around digital healthcare, gender justice, and healthcare technology.
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Healthcare Technology | Social Entrepreneurship | SRHR | Digital Transformation | Community Psychology
Nojus Saad is a health technology entrepreneur, medical doctor, and social justice advocate with 7+ years of multinational research, policy development, and social entrepreneurial expertise around digital healthcare, gender justice, and healthcare technology.
Dr. Nojus is the President & CEO of Youth For Women Foundation, where he has positively impacted over 5600 youth and women in 59 rural, refugee, and underserved societies across Iraq, India, and France.
Vice Chair of PMNCH at the World Health Organization, Saad represents the institution and contributes to researching global health policies at the annual WHO’s Global Conference on Health Promotion, UN Commission on Status of Women, International Aids Conference, and the IAS Conference on HIV Science.
Dr. Nojus serves as an expert adviser to Bond UK, where he consults the UK government’s international development sector around digital health investments in the MENA. He also co-chairs the Youth Leadership Council at the Global Fund for Children (GFC), where he shapes the GFC’s global research & innovation strategy.
Saad is the former United Nations ambassador of the Internet Governance Forum, and a senior Digital Policy Fellow at ICANN; where he’s innovating technology enterprises for UHC, developed global DNS policies, and strengthened digital literacy among the most vulnerable.