Innovation in global health and development — more important than ever

Keywordsglobal health, innovation, Grand Challenges Canada, health equity, social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, maternal health, economic productivity, health systems, international developmentSummaryIn this episode of Global Health Insights, Peter Singer interviews Dr. Karlee Silver, CEO of Grand Challenges Canada, discussing the pivotal role of innovation in global health and international development. They explore Karlee's career journey, the definition and importance of innovation, and the impact of Grand Challenges Canada in funding and supporting local innovators. Karlee points out that innovation is most critical in times of disruption, when resources are scarce. For 15 years, Grand Challenges Canada has supported more than 1500 innovations in more than 100 countries — in women and children’s health, mental health, humanitarian initiatives, climate change and more. The conversation highlights concrete examples of successful innovations, such as HewaTele and the M-MAMA initiative, and emphasizes the need for blended finance to support sustainable solutions. Looking ahead, they discuss the future of global health and Canada's potential role in fostering innovation.TakeawaysInnovation is essential for staying relevant in global health.Local innovators are best positioned to solve local challenges.Grand Challenges Canada has funded 1,500 innovations in 100 countries.Innovation goes beyond technology; it includes new business models.M-MAMA provides emergency transport for pregnant women in rural Tanzania.Investment in innovation requires a blend of grants and loans.Sustainability is key for the success of health innovations.Canada has a strong role to play in global health innovation.The future of global health relies on systematic scaling of innovations.Innovation is crucial during times of disruption.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Global Health Insights03:18 The Importance of Innovation in Global Health07:50 Understanding Grand Challenges Canada10:28 Impact and Scope of Grand Challenges Canada13:49 Concrete Examples of Innovation in Action19:06 Exploring the M-MAMA Initiative26:17 The Role of Investment in Innovation30:04 Future of Global Health and InnovationLinksGrand Challenges Canada https://www.grandchallenges.ca/Global Health Insights https://open.substack.com/pub/singerp This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit singerp.substack.com