Innovative Healthcare Solution Wins Prestigious Engineering Award
An African entrepreneur has been honored with a prestigious engineering award for creating a groundbreaking healthcare innovation that is revolutionizing access to medical treatment. The innovative system, known as Pelebox, has garnered international recognition for its impact on patient care and healthcare resources.
The Award-Winning Innovation
The UKs Royal Academy of Engineering has recently awarded its anniversary medal to Neo Hutiri, the visionary mind behind the revolutionary Pelebox system. This smart locker system is designed to improve access to healthcare by providing a convenient and efficient way for patients to receive their chronic medication. By reducing queues and alleviating pressure on hospital resources, Pelebox has emerged as a game-changer in the healthcare industry.
Pelebox aims to cut down the time that patients have to wait for chronic medication. Medicine is pre-packed and loaded into the box which a patient can open with a code sent via SMS.
During a ceremony in London, Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles III, presented Neo Hutiri with the prestigious award, along with a monetary prize of £50,000 ($63,000). This accolade marks a significant milestone for African engineering, as it recognizes the impactful contributions of entrepreneurs like Neo Hutiri in addressing local challenges on the continent.
Revolutionizing Healthcare Access
Pelebox, the brainchild of Neo Hutiri, aims to revolutionize the way patients access chronic medication, significantly reducing the waiting time for essential treatments. The system operates through internet-enabled lockers that dispense pre-packed medication to patients, who can conveniently retrieve their medication using a unique code sent via SMS. This innovative approach has transformed the patient experience and improved healthcare accessibility across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.
Since its initial recognition in 2019, Pelebox has expanded its reach to 123 healthcare facilities, demonstrating its widespread impact and potential to address healthcare disparities in Southern Africa. The system's success has garnered attention and praise, positioning Pelebox as a pioneering solution in the healthcare technology landscape.
Empowering African Innovators
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate African entrepreneurs who are driving positive change through technological advancements. The annual competition, dedicated to its alumni, highlights the transformative impact of engineering innovations in addressing local challenges and improving the quality of life in African communities.
This year's AfriLabs annual gathering in Kigali, Rwanda aimed to strengthen Africa's tech ecosystem.
The Prize not only provides financial support and recognition to winners but also aims to cultivate a thriving ecosystem for African tech startups. By showcasing the talent and ingenuity of African innovators, the Africa Prize seeks to attract investment, elevate visibility, and foster sustainable growth within the continent's engineering and technology sector.
