Supported by GHA – German Health Alliance | Core Partner of the HIEx Annual Event 2020

Due to the restrictions arising from the COVID-19 epidemic, the 2020 HIEx annual event will be a virtual one. It will take place 1-2 July, preceding the International AIDS Conference. This event will be an opportunity to showcase progress through the HIEx since the launch, explore the needs for further investments in innovations for health, as well as facilitate further engagement of countries, innovators and investors for implementation of innovations in countries to accelerate progress towards SDG3.

Background: The Health Innovation Exchange (HIEx) platform was launched during the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 2019. Visited by over 50 Ministers of Health and more than 2000 visitors, this unique exchange platform was enthusiastically embraced by participating innovators, investors and visitors alike.

The HIEx has already matured into a multi-layered platform that acts as a neutral facilitator and broker of innovative solutions for health, particularly in the global South. HIEx has been working with countries on analysis of health priorities and needs, curating tailored health innovations solutions to match the needs, and brokering investments to ensure scale and sustainability of their implementation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the potential of innovation – from use of AI for diagnosis to rapid repurposing of telemedicine platforms to train health care workers to new diagnostics. However, it also threatens to undermine the gains that have been made, particularly with innovation ecosystems that have been established over several years. Reduced fiscal space in traditional donor countries may threaten to impact funding of health and innovations negatively in these areas. To address this, a strong and functioning innovation ecosystem is key. To this end, the HIEx provides a platform to identify high-potential innovations and facilitate the channelling of investments to ensure effective implementation in countries.

Since foundation of the HIEx during WHA 2019, the GHA – German Health Alliance is honored to be represented in the Health Innovation Exchange Advisory Group. For the upcoming HIEx Annual Event, GHA has the privilege and pleasure to support the HIEx as core partner.

HIEx 2020 Awards & High-Level Session during HIEx Annual Event