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Celebrating innovation in healthcare: Lions Outback Vision awarded $5 million prize in The Challenge

We’re thrilled to share that Lions Outback Vision has been awarded the $5 million prize in the Western Australian Government’s Pilbara healthcare initiative, ‘The Challenge’. This remarkable achievement not only highlights the power of innovation and collaboration but also promises to transform eye care for communities in the Pilbara region!

A groundbreaking solution

After a year of hard work, brainstorming, and collaboration, Lions Outback Vision emerged as the standout innovator from a competitive pool of 93 applicants and 10 finalists. Our revolutionary solution is Australia’s first mobile retinal camera with fully integrated artificial intelligence. This cutting-edge technology screens for eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy with sight-threatening disease diagnosed on-the-spot, providing crucial detection for ensuring early access to treatment in remote areas. . Lions Outback Vision founder and ophthalmologist, Professor Angus Turner said “We are honoured to be awarded this prize by the Western Australian government and its key funding partners, Rio Tinto and BHP. It’s an amazing acknowledgement of all the hard work of our team and the collaborations we have on the ground in the Pilbara”.

Dr Vaibhav Shah, a Lions Outback Vision ophthalmologist, operating a novel ultra-lightweight head-mounted laser device called the Norlase Lion.

We extend our deepest thanks to all our incredible partners who have helped make this artificial intelligence (AI) leap into real-world practice possible. WACHSRoyal Flying Doctor Service WADiabetes WAPuntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS), Karratha Central HealthcareNintirri and Panaceum.

Lions Outback Vision staff examining a patient using optical coherence tomography with AI integration.

Thanks also to our funding partners, the Future Health Research Innovation FundThe McCusker Charitable Foundation and The Fred Hollows Foundation for their unwavering support.

We’re proud to collaborate with our research partners AravindThe University of Western AustraliaUCLGoogle and The University of Oxford, alongside our technology partners Optomed and Topcon. Together we are driving change!

Transforming lives in the Pilbara

The deployment of this mobile retinal camera across the Pilbara has already begun to make a significant impact. By improving access to eye screening, we’re ensuring that residents don’t have to travel long distances for diagnosis and treatment. This innovation is a game-changer for healthcare delivery in the region.

Patient Melvin receives a telehealth consultation in the Lions Outback Vision Sprinter Van.

Support and recognition

We also want to extend our congratulations to the Lyfe Languages project, which received an honourable mention for addressing language and cultural barriers between patients and healthcare providers.

The funding for this transformative project comes from the State Government’s Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, alongside the generous support of corporate partners BHP and Rio Tinto.

Words of celebration

Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson remarked on the importance of this achievement, stating, “Lions Outback Vision’s solution stood out for its immediate impact on the local community. I am excited to see how it will further transform healthcare delivery across Western Australia and beyond.”

Simon Trott, Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Our partnerships with health initiatives like The Challenge help ensure great ideas are developed to support better health outcomes for Western Australians.”

Tim Day, BHP Asset President, added, “Seeing these remarkable innovations emerge has been nothing short of inspiring. Well done to all finalists and a big congratulations to our winner!”

Looking ahead

As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to advancing healthcare through innovation. The future of eye care in the Pilbara is brighter than ever, and we can’t wait to see the continued impact of this incredible technology.

To view The Challenge finalist video

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