TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Inclusive innovation
Who or what inspired your idea for Health Hub?
The idea actually came to me during one of my geography lessons in school. We were learning about global access to resources and I saw how dramatically healthcare availability differs between urban and rural areas. Seeing that nearly over half the people in rural communities lack access to basic healthcare is what really struck me. I’ve always had a passion for both science and social justice, and this made me question: why does where you live determine whether you live? That moment really sparked the idea of HealthHub.
What did your design and development process look like for the project?
I began by researching healthcare challenges in underserved areas, focusing first on clean water and basic medical care. I sketched concepts by hand on ProCreate which allowed me to develop my digital designs, and then eventually I created a full design booklet. I used evaluation matrices to compare materials and energy sources, ensuring that I took sustainability, affordability, and durability into consideration. Taking feedback from
Vaishnavi receiving her award on stage at The Big Bang Fair in 2025.
family and friends also helped significantly as I learned how to refine my ideas to be clearer and how even the smallest of adjustments could allow the HealthHub to be more user-friendly in real world conditions.
Did you encounter any challenges
or unknowns during your process – if so, what were they, and how did you tackle them?
One challenge was creating a solution that was both technically feasible and practical for communities with limited infrastructure. I overcame this by researching multiple solutions, using solar power and modular components, and designing simple visual guides to ensure the Hub could be used independently. I had to make sure the HealthHub was durable, affordable and easy to maintain even in remote or low-resource areas. Time management alongside my school mock exams was another significant challenge, but careful planning helped me balance both.
Were there any ‘lightbulb’ moments or memorable moments of discovery or creative thinking that made a difference to your idea?
IHEEM CEO Pete Sellars and COO Tania Davies meet Vaishnavi and her family.
A key moment was realising that simplicity could have the biggest impact, especially in communities with limited literacy or technical experience. I therefore used clear icons and pictorial guides to help them understand the device, empowering the people to take care of their own health. Also, at one point I was stuck on what to choose to base my project on: water access or medical care, but I realised that health is a system and I thought why couldn’t I create a device that could
January 2026 Health Estate Journal 13
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