In a remarkable showcase of innovation and excellence, medical students from Obafemi Awolowo University have emerged as one of the winners of the 2024 Mega Designathon, held at the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Yaba, Lagos.
Organized by researchers from Washington State University, the University of Northern Carolina, and with support from the Lagos State Government, the four-day event aimed to harness the creative potential of youth in developing innovative, self-devised, and well-researched solutions to increasing vaccination uptake and promoting early screening for cervical cancer and HPV-related cancers, as well as Hepatitis B.
Out of over 140 Nigerian youths aged 19 to 24 participating in the event, the medical students from Obafemi Awolowo University distinguished themselves as second runners-up in the 4Communities and 4Mothers and Babies categories. Initially, each team, comprising of over 1000 applicants, submitted their ideas, after which the top 10 teams, comprising 140 participants were selected.
Subsequently, they engaged in a three-day workshop, which included training on human-centered design thinking approaches, panel sessions, mentorship sessions to assess feasibility and innovation of ideas, and the final day where they pitched their ideas to judges from diverse backgrounds.
The teams competed against nine others, pitching innovative solutions to promote HPV vaccination among girls and birth-dose hepatitis B vaccination for newborns in Nigeria.
Team Shield, comprising Akinmoladun Precious, Eshemokhai Okhesomi, Ibironke Bright, Akanni Shukrah, and Elufiloye Victoria, pitched on “How might we promote HPV vaccination among girls in Nigeria?” under the 4Communities Category. Meanwhile, Team Hexa, consisting of Olowoyeye Aishat, Akindele Boluwatife, Obaniyi Oluwatotele, and Ikotun Taofikat, pithched on “How might we promote birth-dose hepatitis B vaccination for newborns in Nigeria?” under the 4Mothers and Babies Category.
Their outstanding pitches earned them a cash prize of 300,000 Naira and an opportunity for a one-month boot camp later in the year, where they will collaborate with renowned medical researchers, policymakers, and others to refine their ideas.
Ibironke Bright, expressing her delight as being part of the winning team said “The Designathon was life changing for me. It gave me an opportunity to brainstorm and do something outside the typical school work. I also got the opportunity to network with a lot of great people. It was my first time doing such, and being part of the winners is landmark for me. In summary, It was phenomenal.”
Olowoyeye Aishat, a member of Team Hexa, expressed enthusiasm for their project, highlighting its potential to make a meaningful impact in local communities.
This achievement underscores the promising future of Nigerian youth in addressing critical healthcare challenges through innovation and collaboration.
