TY - JOUR T1 - Social Innovation in Health: research, public policy and agency capacity in the Colombian Zika Kids programme JF - BMJ Innovations JO - BMJ Innov SP - 143 LP - 148 DO - 10.1136/bmjinnov-2021-000894 VL - 8 IS - 3 AU - Marcela Daza AU - Martha Milena Bautista-Gomez AU - Laura Sofia Zuluaga AU - Marcela Mercado-Reyes Y1 - 2022/07/01 UR - http://innovations.bmj.com/content/8/3/143.abstract N2 - WHAT ARE THE NEW FINDINGS?This social innovation demonstrates how a research oriented programme can generate evidence regarding a new disease such as congenital Zika virus infection, while simultaneously offering quality healthcare to a vulnerable population and providing data that could be applied in the design of public health policies.The case study provides evidence on how a connection between social innovation, research, public policy generation, and quality and access to health can be established.The innovation shows how the commitment of the innovative team and the creation of strong bonds between team members and the community can lead to improving the children’s quality of life and to strengthening agency capacity in the mothers.HOW MIGHT IT IMPACT ON HEALTHCARE IN THE FUTURE?Results from this research-based social innovation were integrated into public policies, which ultimately guarantee that the initiative will have a continuous impact on the population affected by congenital Zika virus infection.Capacity was built in the health system, which can be useful for dealing with health emergencies in the future, in terms of replicating the approaches, mechanisms and stakeholder networks developed in the Zika virus emergency.The results presented in this case study can prompt further analysis on the possible impact of social innovations on healthcare quality and public policies, which may be helpful to combat future health emergencies.The Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic in Colombia (October 2015–July 2016) affected more than 18 000 pregnant women.1 As the epidemic advanced, evidence of the devastating consequences of congenital ZIKV infection was revealed, including microcephaly and other central nervous system birth defects. These health consequences posed significant public health challenges to the country, as highly vulnerable groups, such as mothers and young infants, experienced the greatest burden.The ZIKV emergency posed significant public health challenges as there was a lack of knowledge about the natural history of this new disease. Specialised medical care … ER -