NGDI associate member receives Grand Challenges grant

WelTel: Moving Evidence to Action for Patient-Centred mHealth from Grand Challenges Canada on Vimeo.

Congratulations to NGDI associate member Richard Lester who received a $100,000 “Rising Star” grant for his project WelTel through Grand Challenges Canada. WelTel: Moving Evidence to Action for Patient-Centred mHealth is a research project which utilizes low-cost cell phone technology to improve HIV/AIDS treatment. The cell phones are adapted to send scheduled reminders to patients with HIV/AIDS, ensuring that they remain on track with their drug therapy. It also allows the patients to address any problems they may be having.

Grand Challenges Canada is a not-for-profit organization that aims to turn bold, innovative research into health solutions. In addition to the WelTel project, around a dozen other Canadian global public health projects were awarded a total of $1.5 million. To view an article in The Province on Richard Lester and fellow UBC researcher and Grand Challenges grant recipient Walter Karlen, click here.