Systems of health innovation in Africa: policy lessons from home and abroad

Science, technology and innovation (STI) are crucial to economic and social development. The use, adaptation and creation of health technologies and innovation are fundamental to Africa’s ability to deliver better health care to its people. However, simply importing new technologies is not a solution for building the expertise and capacity needed to put science and technology to productive use and make them work in the interests of developing country populations. Using examples of how India, Cuba, China, Brazil and South Africa have endeavoured to harness health innovations, this paper argues that improving immediate access to health care and health technologies is essential but not sufficient for sustainable health improvement and poverty alleviation, unless it is done in a holistic and sustainable manner linking existing challenges, priorities and capacities. A health innovation systems perspective can help in attaining this balance