Journal Highlights African Health Innovations

Nibima: A malaria medicine developed in Ghana, but still awaiting commercialization (Ken Simiyu, McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health)

A supplement to the open-access journal BMC International Health and Human Rights devotes its entire issue to health innovations in sub-Saharan Africa, which offers case studies of local initiatives. The papers, relating the experiences of projects by institutes and companies in Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda provide lessons from successful and less-than-successful ventures.

Among the several successes is A to Z Textiles in Arusha, Tanzania, a manufacturer of insecticide-treated nets for the control of mosquitoes and prevention of malaria. A to Z produces a special kind of net called the Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated nets (LLINs) that the World Health Organization has endorsed. The article tells how A to Z took advantage of its own seed funding and previous net-making experience, plus collaborations with Japanese partners and non-private (government and NGO) buyers. A to Z expects to produce 30 million LLINs this year.

Another article, however, highlights continuing challenges to innovation, specifically the focus by institutions on research, with less emphasis given to the development and commercialization parts of creating a product. The article lists 25 promising technologies the authors say are in various stages of commercialization, although some have barely progressed from the lab; one example pictured left. Three of the authors in the collection — Ken Simiyu, Abdallah S. Daar, and Peter A. Singer — provide more details in a Science magazine article published last week (paid subscription required).

The collection also discusses venture funds and business incubators in Africa, with case studies of these resources from South Africa.

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