Ugandan software engineer Brian Gitta from Uganda, was crowned
the winner of the £25 000 (R443 637) Africa
Prize for Engineering Innovation held on 13 June in Kenya.
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| Rebecca Enonchong and Brian Gitta, winner of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Credit: OkayAfrica |
His innovation, the Matibabu malaria test kit, enables users
to conduct tests without drawing blood.
Gitta’s test kit was selected ahead of three other finalists
whose innovations included a tamper-proof electricity meter, and a
textbook-sized mini-science lab. The Matibabu malaria test kit uses a laser to
detect changes in the shape, colour, and concentration of red blood cells, all
of which are affected by malaria. The prize aims to turn innovative engineers
into successful entrepreneurs.
In a statement, Gitta described the win as a “big
achievement”. “We are incredibly honoured to win the Africa Prize — it’s such a
big achievement for us, because it means that we can better manage production
in order to scale clinical trials and prove ourselves to regulators. The
recognition will help us open up partnership opportunities — which is what we
need most at the moment,” he said.
Runners-up
The three runners up each won £10 000 (R177 454). The
runners up are: Zimbabwean Collins Saguru for his low-cost AltMet precious
metals recovery process; Nigerian Ifediora Ugochukwu for iMeter, an intelligent
metering system; and Ghanaian Michael Asante-Afrifa for his Science Set
mini-science lab.
Gitta’s low-cost device is capable of providing results
within one minute and does not require special expertise to operate it. The device
is currently undergoing testing in partnership with a national hospital in
Uganda.
Africa Prize for Engineering judge Rebecca Enonchong said
Gitta’s device is a “perfect example of how engineering can unlock development
— in this case by improving healthcare”. “Matibabu is simply a game-changer,”
Enonchong said.
Source: ventureburn
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