The University of Ibagué obtained the National Award for Innovation in Medical Devices from the ANDI Chamber of Medical Devices. The Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation and the Javeriana University were also recognized in second and third place respectively during the Health Forum held in Cartagena.
The University of Ibagué participated with the Medipark medical solution, a device for the diagnosis of essential tremor and parkinsonism. For its part, the Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation participated with the Hybrid Dual Catheter, an intravenous device for the treatment of lower limb varicose veins.
Finally, the Javeriana University presented Diapetics – a telemedicine platform supported by ICT technology, which optimizes the processes of prevention, diagnosis, design, prescription, manufacturing and monitoring of personalized orthopedic insoles for foot disorders in a digital environment.
“From the ANDI Chamber of Medical Devices we are convinced of Colombia’s potential in scientific development and innovation in health in all regions of the country. “That is why we promote this award, which reaches its fourth edition, a period in which technologies have been presented that are already at the service of health-providing institutions, addressing the problems of the sector,” stated Marisol Sánchez, director of the ANDI Chamber of Medical Devices and Health Supplies.
24 projects were submitted for this award by research centers and institutes, universities, companies and institutions providing health services.
In the 2024 version, the sponsoring companies of the award were Boston Scientific, Baxter Colombia and Becton Dickinson. According to Fernando Dussan, director in Colombia and the Andean Region of Boston Scientific “The innovation projects that have been submitted to the call are of a high level, showing important results over the last four years, with proposals that are providing solutions to health challenges and generating a positive impact on thousands of people and their families.”.
During the validity of the Award, 13 health innovations have been recognized in order to treat or alleviate different pathologies. The winners have received advice in the patent and health registration process, in addition to receiving advice from different innovation teams of the companies that are part of the ANDI Chamber of Medical Devices and Health Supplies.
Baxter Colombia has also emphasized its commitment to innovation, as Hernán Betancur, general director of the company for Colombia, highlights that “in Colombia during the year 2023, 143 private sector organizations contributed significantly to innovation in the health sector. At Baxter, we are convinced of the positive impact generated by supporting the development of innovation in medical devices in Colombia from private companies, to generate not only more efficient and precise processes in health interventions, promote healthy lifestyles, health habits, self-care, etc., but to guarantee more equitable access and opportunity for patients in all regions of the country.”
As part of the recognition, the University of Ibagué, Fundación Santa Fe and the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana will visit the manufacturing plants of the sponsoring companies.
Rogerio Sperb, director of Becton Dickinson for the Andean Region, states that “As a company in the health sector, we are proud to support this recognition since it is an essential advance to promote prevention, timely diagnosis and care of the population; evidencing the potential of innovation and development capacity of medical devices in the country guarantees the importance of efficient and quality care.”
