- Lions Outback Vision awarded $5 million prize
- Pilbara community to benefit from improved eye
screening technology
- AI technology continues to have significant
impact on regional healthcare
The Western Australian Government is proud to announce Lions Outback
Vision as the winner of the $5 million Pilbara healthcare initiative 'The
Challenge'.
The Challenge was a global callout for innovators to brainstorm,
collaborate and ultimately establish a ground-breaking solution to
revolutionise health care in the Pilbara.
After 12 months of rigorous planning and on-the-ground testing, Lions Outback
Vision has emerged from 93 applicants and 10 finalists as the standout
innovator, introducing Australia's first mobile retinal camera with fully
integrated artificial intelligence.
This technology uses artificial intelligence to screen for eye diseases
such as diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, significantly improving early
detection for people in remote areas.
The camera has been deployed across the Pilbara region, where it has
aided in diagnosing and treating eye conditions that would otherwise require people
to travel to urban centres.
The Lyfe Languages project, delivered through the Women and Infants
Research Foundation, was recognised with an honourable mention for their
solution which aims to reduce the language and cultural barrier between
patients and healthcare providers.
Lions Outback Vision's $5 million prize to empower its healthcare
solution and ensure long-term sustainability is enabled by the State Government's
Future Health Research and Innovation Fund and contributions from corporate
partners BHP and Rio Tinto.
The State Government remains committed to advancing healthcare through
innovation and the Challenge has firmly placed WA as a leader in this field.
Comments
attributed to Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Over the period of the Challenge, Lions Outback Vision and all our finalists,
showcased the power of innovation to address complex healthcare challenges.
"Each of the 10 finalists demonstrated exceptional imagination
throughout the Challenge, but Lions Outback Vision's solution stood out for its
immediate impact on the local community.
"This winning innovation has already made a tangible impact in the
Pilbara and I am excited to see how it will further transform healthcare
delivery across Western Australia and beyond."
Comments
attributed to Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott:
"For almost 60 years, Rio Tinto has been a part of WA, working to build
healthy, resilient communities.
"Our partnerships with health initiatives like The Challenge help ensure
great ideas are developed to support better health outcomes for Western
Australians.
"The Challenge finalists have developed some wonderful initiatives over
the past 12 months, and I look forward to seeing how this year's winner can
support modern, innovative regional healthcare delivery into the future."
Comments
attributed to BHP Asset President (Western Australia Iron Ore) Tim Day:
"Being a part of
The Challenge has been an incredible experience for us, and seeing these
remarkable innovations emerge has been nothing short of inspiring.
"With over half
a century of supporting health and wellbeing in the Pilbara, we know how
important these solutions will be for the future of healthcare in the region.
"Well done to
all finalists and a big congratulations to our winner."
