SLMDA Healthcare Innovation Pitch Night 2026 (SLMDA at 55: Honouring Our Legacy, Shaping the Future of Medicine in the Digital Age)

As part of the lead-up to Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2026, Innovation SL, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA), will organise the SLMDA MedTech Innovation Pitch Challenge 2026, a healthcare-focused innovation platform designed to bring together medical professionals, technology innovators, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs to develop solutions to pressing challenges within Sierra Leone's healthcare sector.

Organised in commemoration of SLMDA's 55th anniversary, the initiative will provide a platform for innovators to showcase practical healthcare innovations and digital solutions across areas including Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Clinical Decision Support Systems, Telemedicine, Electronic Medical Records, Maternal and Child Health, Medical Devices, Digital Diagnostics, Disease Surveillance, and Mental Health Technologies.

The activity will feature a national call for healthcare innovations, screening and shortlisting of promising ideas, pitch preparation and mentorship sessions, and a live pitch competition before a panel of healthcare and innovation experts. It will also feature an expert panel discussion exploring the opportunities and limitations of Artificial Intelligence in clinical decision-making, alongside networking opportunities connecting innovators with healthcare practitioners, potential partners, investors, and development stakeholders.

Beyond the pitch competition, selected innovators will be considered for non-financial post-event support, including mentorship, incubation and acceleration opportunities, business development guidance, and connections to strategic partners to help transform promising concepts into viable and scalable healthcare solutions.

Through this initiative, Innovation SL and SLMDA aim to strengthen collaboration between the healthcare and technology sectors, encourage entrepreneurship within the medical profession, and promote responsible technology adoption to improve healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone.

The activity contributes to the broader GEW 2026 objectives of promoting innovation, encouraging entrepreneurial thinking, connecting ecosystems, and empowering individuals to turn ideas into impactful solutions.