NWO-INSPiRED project wins NTD Innovation Prize

Nieuws - 16 september 2021 - Communication

On 9 September 2021, the NWO-INSPiRED project was awarded the prestigious Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Innovation Prize in the domain diagnostics. The NWO-INSPiRED project is a collaboration between TU Delft (IDE-3ME), LUMC, and three Sub-Saharan research partners.

The winning proposal is built around the Schistoscope, a novel device that combines technical optics and specialised data-driven algorithms to realise an integrated, portable, reliable smart optical diagnostic system for schistosomiasis. The Schistoscope project is also a part of TU Delft | Global Initiative's Healthcare for All programme

Schistosomiasis is a major health burden in humans and livestock. Early diagnosis can prevent significant health damage, but current diagnostic tools are labour intensive, lack quality control or require expensive equipment. The aim of this project is to develop a smart and affordable digital tool for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis in rural endemic areas.

TU Delft Post-Doc Temitope Agbana (NTD Innovation Prize – Finalist Proposal)

The INSPiRED team is honoured to receive the award and $20,000. The money will allow J.C. Diehl (Co-PI of the project) and his team to continue testing and evaluating the Schistoscope in primary schools in Nigeria and it will help with the implementation of the device in the local healthcare system.

The NTD Innovation Prize was launched in 2019 by American Leprosy Missions. It encourages and supports creativity and ingenuity within innovators who wish to solve the most pressing issues posed by NTDs. This sentiment aligns with NWO INSPiRED’s goal to develop inclusive smart and affordable diagnostic devices for remote settings in Africa.

For more information, please contact the Co-PI of the INSPiRED project Jan Carel Diehl (contact details below).

The Schistoscope being tested out in Nigeria.