Insights for Innovators: Q&A Judges Series with Elvis Nekehforba
Working with the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health's Sub-Department for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Elvis Nekehforba brings an essential systems-level perspective to the Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize. With expertise spanning epidemiology, data systems, and monitoring and evaluation, Elvis shared what makes a solution truly ready for national health integration and real-world deployment. He also shared his reflections from attending the Sub-Saharan Africa SnakeHack.
How can better data systems and supply chain tracking directly address the chronic shortages of antivenom in rural communities?
Data systems and supply chains can address problems in the snakebite patient journey through predictive demand. Why do I say predictive demand? Because in many countries, especially in Africa, we don't have a system that tells us which area or hospital is lacking antivenom. So if we can design a solution that predicts antivenom shortages or stockouts, it will address data and supply chain issues.
"If we can design a solution that predicts antivenom shortages or stockouts, it will address data and supply chain issues."
When reviewing entries, what details will indicate to you that a solution can be integrated into the National Ministry of Health's disease control strategies?
As a judge, to determine whether a solution is good for the nation and can be incorporated, I would first look at whether it is compatible with the government health system package. The solution cannot exist in isolation; it must fit within the government's health system package. In that respect, it will be easier for the solution to scale in that country.
Secondly, for that solution to be accepted, I would look at whether it is in line with the WHO package of snakebite management and, equally, the national snakebite management protocol. Is it compatible with that?
Thirdly, I would look at the burden of that solution on the users. Is it lighter, or will it give them more work? If it adds work, then the solution's sustainability becomes a question.
Lastly, I would look at traceability. Can the solution trace antivenoms that are dangerous or ineffective in the system? If those types of solutions come in, I think it will actually address problems in the snakebite patient journey.
"As a judge, to determine whether a solution is good for the nation and can be incorporated, I would first look at whether it is compatible with the government health system package."
In three words, what makes a strong entry?
Field-friendly (or field-ready), scalable, and human-centered.
What is your top advice for teams outside the traditional snakebite field who want to enter this Prize?
My advice to people outside of the snakebite field is that they should not work in isolation. They shouldn't work as if they are designing something to solve a local problem at home; they should work with others to develop a scalable solution that can eventually solve problems across Africa and around the world.
"My advice to people outside of the snakebite field is that they should not work in isolation."
Having spent time at this SnakeHack hearing about potential solutions and observing teams, what is your biggest takeaway regarding how innovators are approaching the challenges within snakebite?
My biggest takeaway from this SnakeHack is that I've seen amazing solutions. People aren't only looking at traditional local approaches; they're also bringing in technology that spans first aid, access and logistics, diagnosis and assessment, and emergency care. When I look at these solutions, I see cross-disciplinary collaboration, which is amazing.
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Elvis’s guidance to innovators is that game-changing innovation must move past isolated, local fixes to create scalable, human-centered tools that seamlessly integrate with existing national health protocols. By tackling predictive supply chains, field-friendly diagnostics, and data traceability, multidisciplinary teams have a unique opportunity to rewrite the snakebite patient journey.
If you are developing a field-ready, scalable solution to overcome critical supply chain or clinical delivery bottlenecks, enter the Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize before 16 September 2026.
