Subscribe
About

Gates Foundation funds health projects

By Leigh-Ann Francis
Johannesburg, 13 May 2010

Gates Foundation funds health projects

In its fourth round of funding, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Grand Challenges Explorations grants have been awarded to 78 science projects, with each collecting $100 000, states CNET News.

Through its grants, the five-year, $100 million initiative aims to foster "creative projects that show great promise to improve the health of people in the developing world," and as part of the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative, is supported by the Gates Foundation.

This latest round of grants brings the total number of Exploration projects receiving funding to 340. Although the group originally anticipated funding roughly 60 projects per round, it is averaging closer to 80.

Grants boost NY e-health records

Federal grants totalling $48.2 million will help New York primary care providers adopt electronic health records (EHRs), reports eWeek.

That money will filter to a pair of regional extension centres, the New York e-Health Collaborative and NYC Reach (New York City Regional Electronic Adoption Centre for Health), which will assist primary care providers in carrying out the implementation of those records. Providers will also have the opportunity to qualify for about $63 750 in incentives.

"Our goal is to help approximately 10 000 primary care providers in the state of New York adopt EHRs within two years to enhance patient care and the efficiency of their practices," says David Whitlinger, executive director of New York eHealth Collaborative.

Intuit acquires Medfusion

Business software company Intuit has acquired healthcare communications software company Medfusion, says Wisconsin Technology Network.

The cash transaction is valued at approximately $91 million. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of Intuit's fiscal year 2010.

Intuit plans to integrate Medfusion into its Quicken Health solutions. Intuit says the acquisition will be used to further its presence in the healthcare sector, helping medical professionals communicate with patients online, access and manage personal health records provide a better way for patients and professions track healthcare expenses.

Share