Impact Lab: Revolutionizing Public Health Through Health Technology
PATH’s Impact Lab platform is actively bridging the gap between health technology innovations and real-world application, with the ultimate goal of transforming public health. This initiative supports innovations and programs to expedite the introduction of health technologies that will provide significant advantages for underserved populations.
The health sector globally faces significant challenges. The needs of those in low-resource regions are critical due to their disproportionate exposure to disease and restricted access to quality, affordable healthcare. The World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts a worldwide shortage of 12.9 million skilled health professionals by 2035. Low- and middle-income countries, particularly rural areas, will feel the impact the most. Addressing these challenges requires new solutions, especially in health technology, to help bridge care delivery gaps.
Health Technology: A Key Component
Health technologies, from medical devices and in-vitro diagnostics to digital health tools, have the potential to revolutionize public health. They can enable equitable access to care and provide last-mile healthcare delivery. Failure to harness these technologies could lead to missed opportunities with far-reaching consequences for global health. It is, therefore, critical to support the scaling up and integration of such innovations into health systems.
Overcoming the “Valleys of Death”
Over the past decade, India has seen the rise of several promising medical technologies, often thanks to early funding and expert mentorship. The power of health technology is evident in its successes, including point-of-care tests for infectious disease diagnostics, portable antenatal screening tools, AI-driven cancer screening solutions, and digital tools for noncommunicable disease (NCD) management. Yet, many innovations struggle to transition from proof-of-concept to market readiness. These technologies often fail to reach their potential without the crucial resources to move them from the lab to the market.
Impact Lab: A Platform for Health Technology
To address this need, PATH established the Impact Lab platform in early 2018. Impact Lab aims to tackle critical healthcare challenges through the support of groundbreaking medical technologies. It integrates innovations and programs, teaming up with partners to accelerate the scale-up, market access, and adoption of health technologies that will benefit underserved populations.
Impact Lab’s activities include:
- Conducting need assessments and market research.
- Guiding innovators through complex regulatory landscapes.
- Supporting field tests and operational studies.
- Expediting market access and scaling up.
In six years, Impact Lab has engaged with over 800 innovators across India and globally. The platform has directly assisted over 45 innovations, helping with feasibility assessments, pilot deployments, commercial validations, and connecting innovators to public health stakeholders and key market access partners.
Some of the key technologies supported by Impact Lab including AiSteth, Mythri, SmartScope, Velox Care, the SAVE Platform, Revive, Swaasa, CareMother, Emvolio, Swoop Portable MR Imaging System, qXr, and drone-based healthcare delivery solutions.
Driving Innovation Through Partnerships
Impact Lab has also spearheaded a series of innovation challenges in collaboration with government agencies, technology business incubators, social impact investors, non-profits, and corporate partners.
“The core of Impact Lab’s mission is to strengthen health systems by leveraging innovative technology solutions. We strive to create an integrated ecosystem where health facilities, community programs, and cutting-edge innovations work together to provide comprehensive care. Our ultimate goal is to transform health care delivery, ensuring that every patient receives the care they need, no matter where they are.” – Neeraj Jain, Country Director India & Director Growth Operations, Asia, Middle East & Europe (AMEE).
By offering holistic support, Impact Lab is catalyzing the growth of transformative innovations and contributing to the future of public health. Their work ensures that innovative technologies reach the communities that need them most. This ensures the most effective technologies reach those who need them the most.
