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Innovation Overview

A goal of the SIHI Network is to learn from successful social innovations such that lessons and impact can be scaled to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Following innovation identification, through our crowdsourcing calls, we set out to select social innovations for in-depth study. Learn more about our crowdsourcing calls to identify innovations.
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  • HIV
  • Health Financing
  • Malaria
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Neglected Tropical Diseases
  • Primary Health Care
  • Technology
  • Tuberculosis

OUR SOCIAL INNOVATION CASES

To date, we have produced 40+ indepth case studies, from 17-different countries, which are freely available for download. You can view all the case films from our channel.

 
  • icons Primary Care
  • icons Maternal & Child Health
  • icons malaria
  • icons Tubercolosis
  • icons HIV
  • worm Neglected Tropical Diseases
  • icons Technology
  • icons Health financing

OUR RESEARCH PROCESS

Social innovations are selected using the following criteria as well as expert review to determine cases offering a high-potential of valuable learning.

Appropriateness of the solution to the need

The solution addresses a country health priority and a perceived need in the community.

Degree of innovativeness

The solution presents a creative, unconventional or new approach as compared to the status quo.

Inclusiveness

The solution has the potential to enhance equity and access in health, especially for the most excluded or marginalised.

Affordability

The solution is affordable to those excluded in the local context and presents a more cost-effective alternative as compared to the status quo.

Effectiveness

The solution has the potential to achieve a positive outcome on the health of the local population AND / OR enhances the capacities of the local population.

Scalable

Feasibility for the solution to be applied, replicated and scaled-up to other communities with similar problems.

Sustainable

Participatory approach is evident in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the solution (i.e. contributions from various stakeholders: the patients/families, local health personnel, local leaders.

Participation and Co-creation

The solution has the potential to affect change within the health or social system.

Systems-change

The solution has the potential to affect change within the health or social system.

Our country teams of researchers travel to each selected social innovation and spends several days with them to experience the work first hand. We seek to gain a deeper understanding of the social innovator/ creator of the project, the ins and outs of the project itself as well as the local community. At the same time, we make a short film of each project for advocacy.

CASE STUDIES FROM LOW AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES

Watch our film library

© 2025, TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases