Reducing neonatal mortality in Ethiopia with an innovative monitoring system for newborns

Ethiopia currently has the fifth highest rate of neonatal deaths worldwide (WHO, UNICEF, 2019). Although progress has been made, the neonatal mortality rate remains high, decreasing from 49 deaths per 1,000 births in 2000 to 33 in 2019 (Ethiopian Public Health Institute and ICF, 2021). This decrease does not go far enough, particularly in rural areas where access to health care is limited.

Immediate postnatal care is essential to prevent serious complications, but in Ethiopia, only 35% of newborns are examined within the first 48 hours, compared with 63% who receive no follow-up care whatsoever (Ethiopian Public Health Institute and ICF, 2021). The quality of care in hospitals is also affected by energy instability and a lack of equipment. A study of 32 healthcare institutions determined that qualified personnel were only present at 48% of births, and only 46% of these facilities had the required equipment (Biadgo, Legesse, Estifanos et al., 2021).

The team at Jimma University has designed a neonatal system incorporating various sensors to monitor vital signs, essential for early detection of life-threatening conditions such as hypoxia, sepsis and respiratory distress syndrome.

The device's sensors monitor multiple parameters by measuring temperature, cardiorespiratory functions and blood oxygen levels. Its built-in warning system alerts medical staff to any signs of distress, so that emergency care can be provided to newborns whose lives are at risk. This innovative technology consumes very little energy, and is powered by a lithium-ion battery with autonomy of up to 24 hours, ensuring that the device will continue to function even during a power cut. It has also been designed using affordable components that are easily replaced, facilitating maintenance and making it suitable for use in areas where resources are limited.

FID funding will be used to improve and test the prototype by:

• Evaluating the current prototype and new prototype proposals based on feedback from users and health workers.
• Training 20 to 30 hospital staff in how to use the device.
• Developing and testing an optimized prototype.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance and preparing the product for wide-scale distribution.

Pilot testing will be conducted in 3 to 5 hospitals in Ethiopia, with between 200 and 300 newborns, and 20 to 30 healthcare professionals will receive training (nurses, midwives, maintenance technicians). The expected results include:

• Improved capacity of caregivers to monitor and respond to neonatal complications.
• Higher rate of accuracy in detecting neonatal complications (up to 95%).
• Reduced rate of neonatal deaths in hospitals involved in the pilot.
• Reduced monitoring interruptions as a result of power cuts.

If the results are conclusive, the project could be rolled out on a wider scale with support from health authorities and international organizations.