Combining health and social protection measures to reach the ultra ...

Innovation60% of enterprises50403020100DenmarkIrelandSouth AfricaBelgiumSwedenEstoniaUnited KingdomPortugalSpainFrancePolandFigure 5: Share of enterprises with innovation activities (%) 2002–2004engineering and technology interventions for health is quiteencouraging and this might be explained by the fact that thistype of innovation is encouraged within the South Africancontext.InnovationIn addition to the Research and Development Survey, theSouth African Department of Science and Technology alsocommissioned the South African National Innovation Survey2005 10 . This survey found that nearly 52% of the enterprisessurveyed reported innovative activities. The 52% ofenterprises which reported technological innovation activities,comprising both products (goods and services) and processinnovations, is at the same level as that recorded in Denmarkand Ireland and slightly more than Belgium (51%) andSweden (50%) (Figure 5).Companies have to be innovative in order to keep abreastof developments in health innovation – this innovative energyshould then be channelled towards appropriate research thataddresses the complex needs of our changing society. Thiscompetitiveness is a key to economic survival in anincreasingly globalized world.In order to stimulate the biotechnology industry andinnovation in South Africa, a specific biotechnology strategywas developed with the aim to focus on those areas wherethere is likely to be a comparative advantage in biotechnology,as well as to establish new programmes and technologyplatforms that will harness existing national scientific andtechnological competencies. It is believed that biotechnologycan make an important contribution to our national priorities,particularly in the area of human health (including HIV/AIDS,malaria and TB), food security and environmentalsustainability. This National Biotechnology Strategy is one ofthe building blocks of a wider health innovation strategy.ConclusionBased on this brief analysis of the South African HealthInnovation scenario, it is clear that a more specific healthinnovation strategy needs to be developed to address all theaspects of health innovation and that, although someattention is paid to research and development, thecommecialization aspects thereof need to be encouraged inorder to ensure that South Africa can be more competitive inhealth innovation. ❏Glaudina Loots is the Manager for Health Innovation at theDepartment of Science and Technology in South Africa; sheconcentrates on enabling research and innovation that leads to thediscovery and evaluation of new drug and treatment regimes, thedevelopment of new vaccines and new robust diagnostics for theidentified diseases or conditions, as well as the development ofmedical devices.She is also responsible for the South African Women in ScienceAwards, as well as addressing issues pertaining to gender anddisability in the Science, Engineering and Technology sector inSouth Africa. She currently acts as a strategic advisor to the newlymergedUniversity of Limpopo.080 ✜ Global Forum Update on Research for Health Volume 4