The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) announced the winning teams of its initiative “App-a-Thon for Health,” held under the theme “Building Apps to Enhance Patient Care.” The hackathon saw the participation of more than 200 young innovators from countries across the Islamic world and concluded with a closing ceremony held on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, as part of the International eHealth Forum at Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Launched in April 2025, the initiative aimed to empower young innovators across ICESCO Member States to develop practical digital solutions to improve patient care, strengthen health systems, and enhance youth capacities in health technology.

The jury, composed of international experts, recognized five projects for their innovation and impact. The results were as follows:

• First place: Team NeuroSense, Abu Dhabi University, United Arab Emirates;
• Second place: Team DermaScope AI, National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics, Morocco;
• Third place: Team CardioRisk AI, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, United Arab Emirates;
• Fourth place: Team PharmaSim, International Islamic University Malaysia;
• Fifth place: Team BabyHealth AI, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco.

In his address during the ceremony, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, emphasized that the initiative reinforces the Organization’s commitment to strengthening digital health capacities across its Member States. Dr. Anass Doukkali, Head of the e-Health Innovation Center at Mohammed V University, noted that collaboration with ICESCO reflects a shared belief in the power of youth-led innovation.

Dr. Adel Smeda, expert at ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, noted that the e-Health Hackathon is part of the Organization’s efforts to advance digital transformation and foster youth empowerment across the Islamic world.