Ayya Azzahra of CervivAI and Neda Razavi of iSono Health were awarded the top prizes at the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) 2024 Innovation Competitions.
Ayya Azzahra’s innovative CervivAI solution, which uses AI to detect cervical cancer early, was recognized as the winner in the Young Innovators category. Neda Razavi, founder of iSono Health, won the Innovation Showcase prize for developing advanced AI-powered 3D ultrasound solutions for breast cancer screening.
In addition to cash prizes, the winners received valuable mentorship from industry leaders.
The two winners were selected from a pool of 12 innovative startups, chosen from over 150 applicants worldwide.
Neda Razavi of iSono Health expressed her happiness with the award: “I’m so proud of this award as it authenticates the importance of early detection of cancers using automation, robotics AI and ultrasound and thus, saving lives, a priority of Qatar’s government.”
Dr. Mutiara Auliya of CervivAI said “We have a company of six women, and we want to make our product cheaper, giving access for women living in rural areas.”
Ayya Azzahra added that, “I was inspired to work on this project after my friend became very depressed following the death of her mother, who simply could not get access to a gynecologist. After dropping out of medical school for financial reasons, I hope to resume my medical studies, but I don’t need to be a doctor to help people.”
The third member of the winning team, Karmila Putri Maulidya said “As the biomedical engineer I designed the product using 3D modelling.”
The partnership with Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council (QRDI) elevated this year’s competition, luring global researchers and top influential innovators to Qatar.
Established in 2013, the WISH Innovation program, supported by Qatar Foundation (QF), has empowered 160 innovators from 41 countries, transforming global healthcare through innovation. Founded in 1995, the QF is driving Qatar’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy by providing world-class education, stimulating groundbreaking research, and empowering communities.
By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and engaging with the community through culturally relevant programs, the QF’s goal is to empower individuals and contribute to a sustainable, prosperous future.
The biennial WISH summit was inaugurated by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation. The opening ceremony, held at the Qatar National Convention Centre, featured addresses from distinguished speakers including Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Lord Darzi of Denham, and Christos Christou.
WISH 2024 challenged the global health community to prioritize human-centered healthcare. The theme, “Humanizing Health: Conflict, Equity, and Resilience,” emphasized the necessity to build a more equitable and resilient health system, particularly for those affected by conflict and displacement.
