Bengaluru: A device developed in namma city is now helping in the well-being of children in Africa. Healthcare workers there are using the respiration monitor, developed by the city based unit of Phillips, to detect respiratory ailments in children below five years of age and held them fight child mortality due to pneumonia.
The device is affordable and accurately measures the breath rate of a child. “The device was been completely developed in the country and the innovation happened in Bengaluru itself,” said M.R. Srinivas Prasad, CEO, Philips Innovation Campus.
The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) had approached them to develop a device, which would help them reach the goal of cutting down on infant mortality rate by 2030. The device is designed for use at low resource areas, provides instant feedback, that helps in correct diagnosis.
All the caregiver needs to do is tie the monitor, using a belt, across the baby's chest. “After fixing the age group one needs to monitor it for a minute and if the beat is normal then the device gives a green signal, but if the rate is above 60 breaths per minute it shows a warning signal. Hence, it provides both qualitative and quantitative results. It can be used even on less than one-year-old children,” said Sagar P.M., System Architect with Philips.
The device can also run without power for up to ten hours. According to the city-based innovators it took them 3-4 years for research and trials. The device has been made based on the WHO IMCI guidelines as well.
“It is already being used in East Africa and Kenya by healthcare workers and hospitals. And, we did carry out trials in Bihar, Mysuru and hospitals around Bengaluru as well,” added Niels Buning, Venture Manager, Phillips. However, it would take time for the product to make inroads into the country. “We are in talks with the government and since the laws are different in India, it would take time for clearances,” said Srinivas.
