In the face of the complex public health challenge we are currently facing worldwide with the spread of COVID-19, Medellín has activated all its science, technology, and innovation (CTi) capacities to generate rapid solutions that contribute to the prevention, care, and control of the virus. From this effort, the initiative #InnovaPorLaVida has emerged, a platform that will be available online today and will serve as the channel through which citizens and businesses can support various initiatives.
"#InnovaPorLaVida allows us to support solutions generated by our entrepreneurial ecosystem to tackle the effects of COVID-19. This is not about one or two projects but several lines that encompass various initiatives developed by startups, working hard to address the city's needs through science, technology, and innovation," said Juan Andrés Vásquez, executive director of Ruta N.
The four work fronts have gathered hundreds of volunteers from academia, businesses, and the public sector, working together to make these initiatives a reality, which will have a significant impact on managing this crisis. Ruta N plays the role of coordinator. These are:
- Mass testing for early detection of asymptomatic and COVID-19 contacts.
- Creation of applications and technological platforms based on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to inform health system decision-making.
- Design, prototyping, and clinical testing of open-source ventilators for intensive care units.
- Strengthening the capacity of Medellín's hospital network: refurbishing unused spaces, purchasing equipment, training personnel, and acquiring protective items to prevent contagion.
On the platform, citizens and legal entities can contribute to any of the four initiatives through monetary donations, Points Colombia, and for companies, production capabilities. Once the goal for one project is reached, additional resources will be used to fund the other initiatives.
So far, #InnovaPorLaVida has two pioneering donors: Postobón, which announced a donation of 9,000 million pesos, and Bancolombia, which facilitated this initiative in record time with its technical capacities.
