Maternal, Newborn, and Adolescent Health

Sisu Global Health (previously, DIIME and CentriCycle) is creating a new standard of care for autologous blood transfusion. The Hemafuse is handheld, electricity-independent, locally-affordable tool designed be a safer, faster replacement. The device is syringe-like to manually suction and filter the blood for transfusion in a sterile, closed environment; decreasing risk of clots and of infection and promises to decrease the mortality of women.

We propose to work with immunologists and vaccinologists to model the potential outcomes of "synchronized scheduling" to immunization coverage and protection, FP uptake, and growth monitoring success. We will also conduct research with immunization stakeholders in Africa to assess the acceptability of such a change. If both modeling and research are positive, we will hold a technical meeting to reach consensus on whether and how to move forward with a trial to formally assess the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of adjusted immunization schedules.

The INSPIRE, a simple, sustainable technology, helps Community Health Workers (CHWs) quickly and accurately identify rapid respirations (by automating counting) and abnormal temperatures in neonates and supports timely management and treatment. The methods currently used to monitor respiratory rate rely on an individual observing the infant's chest movements and counting. Major errors in counting have been documented using this method. The INSPIRE accurately measures an infant's respiratory rate automatically and indicates whether the rate recorded is abnormal.

This project aims to develop an early stage detection of preeclampsia that will be based on the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Homogenous No-Wash (HNW) platform enabling detection of clinically validated biomarkers without pre-processing or washing from a complex sample in a point-of-care setting. Clinical performance will be assessed using non-invasive urine specimens and optimized assay algorithms to improve specificity for interventions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Our idea is to develop BreathAlert, a $25 battery-powered monitor that detects and automatically corrects apnea. BreathAlert is a stretchy band placed around a baby's chest to detect if breathing has stopped; if apnea occurs, coin-sized vibrating motors in the strap are activated and the vibration automatically stimulates the baby to resume breathing.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the standard of care for treatment of neonatal respiratory distress, but the availability of CPAP devices is limited by cost and facility infrastructure such as electricity and pressurized air. The bubble CPAP (bCPAP) kit and oxygen blender address the lack of electricity and pressurized air, common in rural health clinics, and have been demonstrated to provide a stable supply of blended gas.

Monash is seeking to develop an affordable heat-stable, self-contained, simple to administer inhaled delivery system for oxytocin. Such a product removes the challenges associated with access and use of the current oxytocin product and has the potential to ensure that a high-quality oxytocin product is accessible to women with greatest need. The project is innovative as it would, for the first time, provide an effective oxytocin product that does not rely on cold chain supply and storage to maintain quality or the presence of healthcare workers trained to safely administer injections.

The Bili-Hut is a novel phototherapy device designed to improve access to jaundice treatment in low resource areas. It is extremely light-weight, portable, and capable of prolonged operation with a battery. The working prototype complies with recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics for high intensity phototherapy, delivering treatment in the optimal therapeutic light bandwidth equivalent or superior to existing commercial devices.

We aim to develop and validate simple, low-cost, low-technology tools to improve community-based identification, referral, and care of premature and jaundiced newborns by frontline health workers.

Guatemala has one of the highest national maternal mortality ratios in Latin America at 149 per 100,000 live births, and up to 260 per 100,000 in some northern departments. Only 31% of deliveries are attended by a skilled birth attendant. We propose to scale up an already tested innovative strategy, combining technology, service delivery, and demand creation approaches.