Project Health Hack Naija 1.0
In Africa, mental health probes a huge problem with a disturbingly high prevalence rate. Nigeria accounts for at least 60 million people suffering from mental health-related illnesses and majority are not aware. Even those that are aware can’t seek for service provision due to fear of stigma and discrimination in their communities.
More than 75 percent of those who need to access mental health services can’t do so because the existing systems don’t allow it. For instance, there are currently 300 psychiatrists amidst a population of not less than 200 million people. Therefore, there is a need to establish an inclusive mental health care system with technologically-driven solutions that anticipates, prepares, responds, recovers and supports those that needs reliable information and services. In line with SDG 3.4, there is a need to advocate for mental health prioritization but more importantly, the deployment of mental health interventions that are enabled through technology to address the existing challenges.
Project Phases
- Subject Matter Workshop: In this phase, we will invite mental health experts and specialists to facilitate a workshop on the current state of mental health in Nigeria. The workshop will also reveal the current situation in Nigeria including the National mental health act and a comparison with other successful approaches in other African countries. Participants will also have the opportunity identify potential areas for innovation.
- Design Thinking Workshop: In order to develop an inclusive technology-based mental health care system that anticipates, prepares, responds, recovers and supports requires a human-centered design (HCD) approach. In this phase, participants will be exposed to the five (5) phases of HCD and how to put users first in developing their various innovations.
- Technical Workshop: This phase will include workshops on the application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other emerging tools to address healthcare problems. Technical experts will be invited to take a hands-on training on specific and helpful tools relevant to the challenge at hand.
- Hackathon: After a week of ideation and building version 1 of their product, the teams would be required to present their solutions and their product demo to a panel of judges. Two teams with the most viable, feasible, and desirable product will be selected to the pilot phase where we would seek external support and funding for them.
Schedule
| Date | Session | Description | Time | Facilitator(s) |
| 12th January, 2024 | Mental Health as a Public Health Issue in Nigeria : Current Situation and Opportunities | This session will delve into the current mental health situation in Nigeria and several opportunities for innovation. | 5pm-6pm | Dr. Oladele Fagbohun
Aviwe Funani |
| 13th January, 2024 | The Design Thinking Approach to Health Innovation | This workshop will equip the participants with human-centered design skills and tools | 5pm-6pm | Abdulhammed Babatunde |
| 14th January, 2024 | Existing use of AI and ML for Health Innovations in Africa and Globally | This session aims to explore the use of AI and ML to develop sustainable healthcare solutions in Africa | 5pm-6pm | Ayomide Owoyemi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayomide-owoyemi/ Rachel M. Harrison |
| 20th January, 2024 | Final Hackathon Presentation Day | The teams will present their developed solutions and models to a panel of judges | 5pm-6pm | Dr. Adejumoke Idowu Ayede
– Ayomide Owoyemi -Rachel M. Harrison -Jude Kong -Anton Dereventsov |
Contact
Yusuf Babatunde
Director of Programs, HealthIntelTrust