# 1. Real-time data collection

In order to provide a holistic and satisfying patient experience, the various parties involved in healthcare – doctors, healthcare providers, insurance providers, medicines and patients – should be able to exchange information securely with each other.

The use of cloud-based data management systems can be a stable solution to solve inefficiently caused by the traditional way of managing data with pen and paper.

The most advanced solution to this healthcare management problem is to use a blockchain-based database to store and share people’s records. And the trend in medical technology not only allows for fast and complete data transfer but also eliminates insecurity, thus maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of patient information.

Patient data is one of the most overwhelming aspects of healthcare.

Storing and retrieving this patient data, when necessary, is a challenge that hospitals need to address. Overloading and mismanagement of data often lead to misdiagnosis, compromising their security, improper treatment, expiring meetings and failure to keep up with ongoing changes or regression of the patient’s condition, etc.

# 2. Nutrition: awareness of food consumption, optimization of nutrition in chronic noncommunicable diseases.

A healthy diet is an important determinant of human health. In the Republic of Moldova, the diet is responsible for about 20% of the global burden of disease. Reducing the burden of disease caused by food and nutrition can be solved by changing the eating behaviour of the population to a healthier one.

Dietary risk factors (excessive intake of salt, sugar, fat and energy) lead to the development of metabolic risk factors (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood glucose, overweight and obesity). In the Republic of Moldova, food risk factors make the largest contribution to the global burden of disease.

In the field of nutrition, personalization has quickly risen to the top, to become a key expression in the industry, both for large companies and new start-ups, which seek to be their customers and, ultimately, consumers, solutions state-of-the-art for all health needs. The use of digital tools and mobile devices helps people to understand and track their health and quality of life needs and to correlate them with food quality.

The next wave of the personalization trend sees consumers able to make decisions based on their unique genetic profile, metabolism or disease risks. From new non-invasive continuous monitoring and analysis systems to the technical application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to identify patterns and correlations between user collected data and specific health-related conditions, there is enough room for improvement in several areas.

# 3. Improve patient compliance with a disease management plan

Disease management programs are structured treatment plans that aim to help people better manage their chronic diseases, maintain and improve their quality of life. Digital technologies that virtually track and encourage progress in health can enhance healthy daily practices for people with chronic illnesses. Specifically, digital tools could: educate patients on proper disease management, encourage the management of their own key health factors, provide tools on some aspects of using a peak flow meter for asthma patients and the importance of testing glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) for patients with diabetes, participants learn how to interpret the results of these tests so that they know when to contact their doctor, improve patient-physician communication.

The basis of a good chronic disease management plan is a good plan for adherence to the drug. The driving factor here is simple: when a patient cannot or does not take the medication as prescribed, the condition of his disease will suffer. Here various digital tools as well as mobile applications, all can find applications.

# 4. Reduce the burden of non-communicative diseases by real-time health monitoring and remote care. Empowering and involving patients / using new digital solutions.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have increased in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in recent decades and are a significant concern in healthcare. Over 85% of “premature” deaths worldwide due to NCDs occur in LMIC. NCDs are an economic burden for these countries, increasing their health care spending. However, targeting NCD in LMIC is a challenge due to the evolution of health systems and the focus on acute diseases. Major issues include limitations with universal health coverage, regulations, funding, distribution and availability of the health workforce, and the availability of health data. LMIC health experts have formed a think tank to understand and examine the issues and provide potential opportunities that could address the growing burden of NCDs in these countries. This review presents evidence and presents pragmatic solutions to combat NCDs.

#5. Smart solutions for mental health

Mental health problems are among the leading causes of early retirement in many countries, leading to significant economic losses. According to the WHO, mental disorders are among the main public health challenges in the WHO European region, affecting approximately 25% of the population each year (Source: WHO, 2015). Moreover, mental health conditions, including depression, can have a strong stigma in society – the fear of being excluded and discriminated against because of this condition prevents individuals from seeking help. In addition, there is a lack of human resources to provide personalized support to patients with mental health problems. The pandemic has also triggered a greater need for mental health care, which has widened the gap between supply and demand. These circumstances pose a significant problem for businesses. They can lead to lower productivity, hamper financial results and dramatically extend and complicate the recovery of the crisis across the EU. To make matters worse, the remote work caused by the COVID pandemic has made it impossible to support the mental state of employees through regular face-to-face meetings and, otherwise, to support employees with traditional methods.

# 6. Ensuring/maintaining good health in the era of remote work.

Problem 1: No remote access

Healthcare has been associated with in-person consultations for decades. This was a problem that forced patients to run to the nearest medical centre for treatment.

Now, the outbreak and blockages of COVID have made it even worse. The contagion effect of the virus has kept people in the four walls of their homes. So what do I do if I need to see a doctor and have an emergency?

The need for remote access or virtual consultations is the need for time, which must be taken care of in order to stay one step ahead in the race to adopt the technology.

Solution 1: Invest in mobile and web healthcare applications

Mobile application developers continue to develop the flexibility and performance capabilities of these remote-oriented platforms. This creates a reliable experience for medical experts to provide quality care and advice to patients miles away.

With mobile healthcare solutions, telemedicine aims to raise the level of healthcare with portable devices and smartphones to monitor health. The use of technology in the field of health has accelerated the development of products that experience technologies such as holography, artificial intelligence and machine learning, augmented and virtual reality.

# 7. Respiratory problems

Outcomes for patients with the chronic respiratory disease remain poor despite the development of new therapies. In part, this reflects the fact that adherence to therapy is low and clinicians do not have exact methods to assess this problem. Digital technologies promise to overcome these barriers to care. For example, algorithmic analysis of large amounts of information collected on health and treatment use, along with other disease-relevant information, such as environmental data, can be used to guide personalized interventions that can have a positive impact on such as the usual setting and correct use of the inhaler. New approaches to data analysis also offer the possibility of statistical algorithms that are better able to predict exacerbations, thus creating opportunities for preventive interventions that can adapt therapy as disease activity changes. To realize these possibilities, digital approaches to disease management should be supported by strong evidence, have a solid infrastructure, be collaboratively designed as clinically efficient and cost-effective systems, and reflect the needs of patients and healthcare providers. healthcare. Regulatory standards for digital interventions and strategies for managing large amounts of data generated are also needed. This review highlights the opportunities offered by digital technologies for the management of patients with respiratory diseases.

—-

In order to develop the Vertical HealthTech in Moldova and to be actively involved in solving the challenges facing medicine at the moment, Startup Moldova has launched “Vertical HealthTech 2021” – a comprehensive program designed to increase opportunities in the ICT sector supporting innovations and technological health services.

The first activity of the program took place in May 2021 – HealthTech Hackathon, organized by Startup Moldova in collaboration with the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu”, with the support of USAID and Sweden in the Tekwill project, in partnership with FreshBlood and SanoPass.

The event took place between May 25 and 27, 2021, during which 10 teams exchanged experience, participated in mentoring sessions and increased their skills to develop solutions to improve medical services.

At the end of the event, there was a Demo Day, in which the teams presented their ideas. Bronze, Silver and Gold went to Corlab-Tech, Keep My Child Safe and HeroDoc.

The 10 solutions presented at HealthTech Hackathon:

• 1st place: “Corlab-Tech” – a software that collects and analyzes data provided by customers for early detection and monitoring of Parkinson’s disease – a chronic degenerative disease;
• 2nd place: “Keep my child safe” – a solution that aims to help parents of children under 5 to monitor and monitor the temperature of the little ones, rhythm and respiratory rate;
• 3rd place: “HeroDoc” – an application that aims to improve the relationship between patients and doctors, by eliminating distances;
• „Medplatform.md” – a platform aimed at continuing education for doctors and medical staff, includes a wide range of validated collaborators and a team of professionals from several medical institutions;
• “MyID” – Digital Health Passport – a digital health passport solution that helps solve problems related to verifiable test results, vaccine certificates, privacy control and data sharing;
• “Pharmec” – an application that connects pharmaceutical companies with patients;
• “Fastboss digital assistant for healthcare” – an application that helps medical staff to complete routine tasks in a matter of seconds;
• “TeleMedPrevention” – an application that solves the problem of getting to the doctor quickly in the context of a pandemic;
• “OMG! WELL BEING! ” – a platform that will connect people with real experts in the field of medicine;
• “IntoAction” – an application that aims to support people to be active, leaving the sedentary lifestyle.

Three winning teams, interested in developing medicine through technology continue to transform and improve their digital solutions in the HealthTech Acceleration stage! The winning teams will validate their products, using all the necessary means, support and expertise of specialists, both in the IT and medical field, to improve their technological products and to move to the next stage – the piloting. At the end of the acceleration program, participants will have the opportunity to test their solutions in practice.

“The Republic of Moldova has a valuable potential to develop medicine through technology. Here, at home, we have young specialists eager to revolutionize health as we knew it until now and to offer free access to medical services to all those who need them. Those three days of the Hackathon firmly proved to us that we need to invest in our specialists in the country because this is where we will mark our successes. Ten teams from HealthTech Hackathon came up with ingenious ideas that can help medicine, starting with local implementation and certainly developing globally. Next, we will work side by side to make the plans a reality,” says Mary Nemciuc, Ecosystem Builder at Startup Moldova.

In order to continue the rapid development of the vertical at the same pace, we are looking for a HealthTech Expert to join the Startup Moldova team. The HealthTech expert will be responsible for providing expertise and management to potential innovative projects, bringing together actors, developing roadmaps and supporting HealthTech initiatives from an early stage.

The entrepreneurship activities will focus on institutional development and fortification of the Startup Moldova concept, development and deployment of entrepreneurial education programs; implementation of general and vertically-driven initiatives, implementation and supporting community initiatives, facilitation for bringing all stakeholders together, mapping ecosystem players, and supporting entrepreneurial innovation, forming and developing a local talent pool and attracting foreign expertise, addressing the talent gap by reconversion mechanisms and entrepreneurial education opportunities and directly support startups in their needs. Tekwill will support the e-commerce agenda by adjusting its programs towards inclusive digitization initiatives.

JOB TITLE

HealthTech Expert

#01. Basic Functions:

The HealthTech Expert will be responsible to provide expertise and management to innovative potential projects, bring actors together, develop roadmaps and support HealthTech initiatives from an early stage.

#02. Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop the strategic plan for the development of the HealthTech vertical in Moldova
• Ensure that all proposed program objectives and targets are achieved in a timely manner
• Ensure timely delivery of quality final products (minimum 3 programs)
• Manage and interact with the HealthTech community and HealthTech Companies to best match their needs and ideas (minimum 30 active representatives)
• Identify key partnerships with local, regional and EU key stakeholders (sign minimum 2 MOUs)
• Work on behalf of the community to present joint/new/existing projects and ideas
• Oversee the development of program implementation plans, performance monitoring plans and all required reports
• Maintain coordination and collaborate with ICT Excellence Center project implementing partners, and other donors and investors involved in ICT sector development in Moldova, to coordinate efforts and share results – Mapp healthtech startups from Moldova – Find and offer sufficient guidance to healthtech startups in form of mentoring – Finding opportunities for local startups – support in elaboration content for education program in developing HealthTech Ecosystem in Moldova
• Report regularly to the Senior Project Coordinator, respectively if required to USAID/Sweden, where appropriate, regarding decisions to be made, activities undertaken, and progress.
• Report on HealthTech related potential activities and initiatives
• Compile proposals into portfolio requests.
• Others may be applicable.

* The level of effort is expecting to be up to 60 full time working days.

#03. Qualifications:

• Relevant experience in designing and implementing HealthTech related activities
• Proven expertise and knowledge of the HealthTech sector, national, regional and international context.
• BSc or BA degree in information technologies, business, economics, or social sciences.
• Proven success in managing and leading the design of complex projects
• Fluency in English. Romanian and Russian will be considered as a plus.

#05 . Deliverables:

1. Project proposals, including project plans, budgets, etc
2. All projects related documentations
3. Action Plan(s)
4. Reporting materials related to performed activities based on a deliverables established together with the Entrepreneurship Program Manager
5. Reporting documentation required by Entrepreneurship Program Manager
6. Any other documentation that is required for the best reach of the set forth results

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE
The consultant will perform his/her duties for the Republic of Moldova.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
The assignment will begin on/about July 2021-December 2021.

REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS.
The consultant will report to the Entrepreneurship Program Manager, who will be responsible for supervising the employee’s performance.

CONTACTS

Please send your CV and motivation letter to osuruceanu@ict.md and mnemciuc@ict.md.