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Innovators Mobilize to Help Developing Countries Combat COVID-19 Grand Challenges Canada innovators offer resources, ideas, affordable solutions for low-resource countries in need of pandemic essentials: medical oxygen, ventilators, masks, more Novel, affordable ways to acquire medical oxygen, ventilators, masks and other critically-needed COVID-19 supplies and services are among 20 Grand Challenges Canada innovations mobilizing to …GCC support, Hewa Tele will now provide medical-grade oxygen to Nairobi’s COVID-19 isolation hospital, with a set of cylinders dedicated solely to that facility, and will gear up to meet the oxygen needs of a growing number of patients.  Its expansion plans include hiring additional staff to facilitate 24-hour coverage, leasing more distribution vehicles, adding…its devices serving India soon and is seeking expedited regulatory processes (including US Food and Drug Administration approval) for a wider geographic rollout.   Masks 1) Saral Design Solutions Private Limited (India) Saral’s “Swachh” is a fully-automatic, compact machine designed to produce low-cost, ultra-thin disposable sanitary pads through a decentralized manufacturing system. With GCC support,…COVID-19 case-contact monitoring response and has already demonstrated benefit. Video: https://vimeo.com/238653892   2) Praekelt.org (South Africa) Praekelt.org has created MomConnect, a free WhatsApp-based text messaging platform to promote healthy pregnancies and infant care. Registered users receive biweekly advice tailored to each stage of motherhood, including clinical visit reminders and information on health services, with a…

In partnership with Global Affairs Canada, Grand Challenges Canada has awarded $250K CAD in seed funding for 20 mental health innovations in low- and middle-income countries. More than half of the 20 selected innovations are youth-led and aim to tackle mental health challenges using digital technology, storytelling, and community-based care. Many of the innovations are female-led, and several focus on addressing the needs of those disproportionately…the evidence-based Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) framework, which emphasizes positive childhood experiences that help children grow into healthy, resilient adults. The innovation will have peer support, with 35 young people trained to provide Psychological First Aid (PFA); institution-based psychosocial support, with 14 caregivers trained to provide psychosocial support within the care homes; and specialist care, with youth who meet clinical thresholds for a mental and neurological disorder referred to psychologists and psychiatrists at Psychiatrist Disability Organization. Association Interlinks, Promoting integrated, community-based mental health services for students in vulnerable situations, Tunisia Access to mental health services for students in the greater Tunis area is limited due to…– LGBT Well-Being, Bazwa LGBT Youth Program, South Africa OUT Well-being aims to address mental health disparities among LGBTQI+ youth from low-resource settings in South Africa by designing and piloting the "Bazwa LGBT Youth Program." The program focuses on mental health literacy, internalized homophobia, anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention among LGBTQI+ youth aged 10-24. The…

…Challenges Canada and recently graduated with a B.A. in International Relations from Western University. Follow him on Twitter at @liamrtbrown.    At Grand Challenges Canada, students make up an integral part of the staff team. The 12 new summer students have a wide range of responsibilities, such as conducting research, supporting grant negotiations, analyzing investments,…warmer weather, and the start of the Grand Challenges Canada 2015 Summer Student Program. The four-month summer student program, which started on May 5th, is an incredible opportunity for post-secondary students and recent graduates to get early-career experience, to learn and hone skills needed in global health careers, to connect with inspiring and influential leaders in their chosen field, and to contribute…to foster creativity. What do you hope to learn and achieve over the summer? I hope to learn about how individuals can effectively collaborate to make a significant impact on pressing challenges around the world. I look forward to learning about the inner workings of such a reputable organization and the strategies used to ensure…

As another summer has come to an end, Grand Challenges Canada said goodbye to this year's Summer Students. The Summer Students not only quickly adjusted to the new work-from-home reality but fearlessly went above and beyond their responsibilities. They developed gender equality case studies, organized an international 'new methods for safe abortions' hackathon, helped to screen the newly relaunched Global Mental Health program applications, and much more. The Summer Students brought fresh energy to Grand Challenges Canada.…Health program to drive their funding opportunity targeting youth mental health in low- and middle-income countries. It was fascinating to gain insight into the behind-the-scenes processes leading up to the investment stage of innovations. What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada? I have learned that it’s imperative to be…worked on this summer? I had the opportunity to develop communications for the OPTions Initiatives and Global Mental Health program call for applications. The OPTions Initiative specifically invited me to think outside of the box to engage the audience in a niche and under-researched field. It allowed me to develop my skill set further and…about how the humanitarian and development sectors operate. Organizations need to decolonize approaches and genuinely commit to the localization agenda by trusting and supporting local actors and promoting community ownership. What is a tip for future summer students? Create a list of things you want to learn and the skills you want to develop over…

…TB remains a major global health problem. In 2012, an estimated 8.6 million people developed TB and 1.3 million died from the disease. It is second only to HIV/AIDS as the greatest killer worldwide that results from a single infectious agent. TB is a leading killer of people living with HIV, causing one fifth of all deaths. Over 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, and it is among the top three causes of death for women aged 15 to 44. More than half a million children became ill with TB in 2012 and 74,000 HIV-negative children died of TB. The number of…of TB care in India and help establish a quality surveillance project. This innovative project can help to indicate bottlenecks in the provision of care, and can significantly improve the quality and reductions in diagnostic delays, which is a high priority for TB control, especially in urban hot spots with high MDR-TB prevalence (McGill University).…completeness and accuracy of data capture, analysis and, in turn, timely reporting. Potential defaulters will receive a reminder text message. Successful detection and treatment rates could go up as much as 15% (Health Child Sudan). Increasing financing to close all resource gaps The Government of Canada is a major global contributor in the fight against…

As another summer comes to an end, we are saying our goodbyes and extending our thanks to this year's summer students. Over four busy and project-packed months, the students have made a variety of important contributions to Grand Challenges Canada (GCC). From developing Gender Equality modules, drafting reports on stillbirth, helping screen the Humanitarian Grand Challenge's second round of applications, to preparing for the 2019 Women Deliver conference, there was never a dull day for the students. Not to mention, they are leaving GCC having created wonderful relationships with each…environments for children. I particularly love how this innovation empowers mothers to provide a better future for their children - a future in which they can grow up to be strong, educated and independent leaders within their communities. I am particularly interested in addressing health inequalities among women and children. I aspire to continue pursuing…important work and autonomy as a summer student, I learned to not be afraid to ask questions when I needed clarification, and to take ownership of projects assigned to me.  My advice for future summer students is to reflect early and often on what you want to learn at GCC and how you want to…