SI camp to advance healthcare

Social Innovation Camp in HK. Software developers and designers gather to help build web and mobile solutions to social challenges. (Photo credits: Google Images)

By Erica Jean Palmera

To provide a venue for new ideas, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), University of the Philippines Cebu, Technology Business Incubator (TBI), and ACCESS Health will organize the first Social Innovation (SI) Camp in Cebu this October 18-20 at UP Cebu.

SI Camp is looking for ideas focused on using web and mobile tools to help improve the way healthcare is delivered and experienced by Filipinos.

This search for a healthcare innovation will be the first in Cebu and second in the Philippines for this year. The SI Camp has been going on in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia since 2008.

The Marketing Head for this event, Jeffrey Montecillos of TBI, expresses excitement for the clash of ideas by medical practitioners, as well as information technology personnel, from all over Visayas.

“Six teams will be competing their social ideas and whoever shows the greatest potential will be given support for 6 to 7 months. We are looking for people who have an idea about how to achieve the health Millennium Development Goals or MDGs. We want to find the best ideas and turn them into real projects,” Montecillos explained.

Teams qualified for the SI Camp will have to present, develop and do a final pitching of their project. The winning team will receive a follow up support from the organizers through one-on-one mentorship, workshops on developing a work plan and on the steps of starting a business.

Aside from support, the winner will also receive in-kind support such as free or reduced-price hosting, support from funders, developer time, marketing workshops with marketing agencies and, of course, an office space.

They are still accepting participants. If interested, visit UP Cebu – TBI at the 3^rd Floor, Left Wing, UP Cebu AS Building or call 232-4995.