Press release -
Discovery entrepreneurs in dialogue: Harnessing the power of technology for global health solutions
Earlier today, Discovery hosted entrepreneurs for the inaugural discussion on the use of technology to drive medical innovation. Driven by the Discovery Health Deputy CEO, Dr Ryan Noach, and Discovery’s Head of People and Corporate Sustainability, Dr Penny Moumakwe, industry experts and participants discussed the gaps and opportunities in healthcare, and how technology can be harnessed in South Africa and across the world to improve access to and lower the cost of healthcare.
Launch of Discovery Entrepreneurs MedTech Silicon Valley Programme
The 2016 Discovery Entrepreneurs Medical Technology programme was also launched at the Discovery entrepreneurs dialogue session. The programme aims to provide local medical technology entrepreneurs with the opportunity to network and learn in a global market
Featuring a trip to Silicon Valley, USA, from 27 November to 3 December 2016, the programme will allow participants to look at:
How technology is transforming the American healthcare system
New innovations designed for emerging market consumers
Alternative approaches to venture capital.
Entrepreneurs who are interested must submit their applications by 23:59 on 25 September 2016. From these applications, twenty will be selected to spend the week in the San Francisco Bay area exploring the latest in global technology-driven innovation. Detailed information about the programme and how to apply can be found at www.discovery.co.za/portal/individual/discovery-entrepreneurs-medtech.
Technology is changing the global approach to health and wellness
The increasing burden of disease, innovative treatments and technology, compliance, and fraud and waste in healthcare are some of the solutions in global healthcare challenges. To find solutions to these challenges, issues of access, quality and affordability need to be addressed. Digital products are disrupting traditional business models (think Airbnb or Uber). Similarly, healthcare organisations are also increasingly looking at digital solutions to disrupt healthcare delivery across the value chain by revolutionising access, quality and affordability.
Dr Noach says, “We are in a global digital healthcare revolution with significant investment across various categories. These include wearables, analytics and data, digital medical devices, population health management, personal health tools and tracking as well as the evolution of electronic health records. The pace of digital health funding in the first half of 2016 echoed the record-breaking years of 2014 and 2015, with funding just passing the $2 billion mark. This is an exciting time for startups looking to disrupt the game.”
For media related enquiries contact Khensani Mthombeni on Khensanimth@Discovery.co.za or 011 529 0091
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About Discovery Limited
Discovery Limited is a South African-founded financial services organisation that operates in the healthcare, life assurance, short-term insurance, savings and investment products and wellness markets. Founded in 1992, Discovery was guided by a clear core purpose – to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. Underpinning this core purpose is the belief that through innovation, Discovery can be a powerful market disruptor.
The company, with headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, has expanded its operations globally and currently serves over 5 million clients across South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Singapore and Australia. Discovery recently partnered with Generali, a leading insurer in Europe, and has partnered with John Hancock in the US. These new partnerships will bring Discovery’s shared-value business model to protection industries in Europe and the US.
Vitality, Discovery’s wellness programme, is the world’s largest scientific, incentive-based wellness solution for individuals and corporates. The global Vitality membership base now exceeds three million lives in five markets.
Discovery is an authorised financial services provider and trades under the code “DSY” on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange.
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