The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has unveiled groundbreaking portable ultrasound technology in a bid to tackle the alarming mortality rates of pregnancy-related complications in remote areas in Africa.

Anita Zaidi, president of Gender Equality at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, disclosed this on the sideline of the WomenLift Health Global Conference 2024, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Addressing a global audience, Ms Zaidi emphasised the dire need for accessible diagnostic tools in regions with scarce healthcare facilities.

“Every year, nearly 300,000 women and over four million newborns perish due to pregnancy-related complications,” she stated, underlining the disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income countries.

She explained that the innovative ultrasound devices, compact as a water bottle and equipped with artificial intelligence capabilities, aim to revolutionise prenatal care by enabling early detection of life-threatening conditions.

According to Ms Zaidi, field testing has showcased the devices’ effectiveness in identifying high-risk pregnancies, surpassing human capabilities in estimating gestational age.

With partnerships driving the development of these portable, affordable, and AI-enabled ultrasound devices, she remained optimistic about their potential to catalyse transformative change in maternal and child health outcomes globally.

Ms Zaidi also announced the introduction of Vaccine Microneedle Array Patches (VMAPs), indicating that the device heralds a new era in vaccine delivery.

“These patches offer a solution to the challenges of traditional vaccine administration, particularly in regions with limited access to cold chain requirements and trained healthcare workers.

“Early trials demonstrate their effectiveness in delivering vaccines safely, with the potential to eliminate barriers to immunization and protect vulnerable populations from preventable diseases,” she said.

Ms Zaidi discussed the transformative potential of next-generation diagnostic systems in identifying life-threatening diseases faster, more affordable, and with greater accessibility.

“These innovations, including low-cost tests and Extreme Volume Manufacturing (EVM) test strips, aim to revolutionise disease testing, particularly in resource-limited settings.

“By improving the speed and efficiency of diagnostic processes, these advancements have the potential to save countless lives and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases,” Ms Zaidi said.

Meanwhile, Zaidi highlighted the importance of innovation in contraceptive technology to address the unmet needs of women worldwide.

“With a significant percentage of unwanted pregnancies and dissatisfaction with existing contraceptive methods, there is a pressing need for new solutions.

“Promising innovations, such as DMPA-SC and potential monthly pills, patches, and injectables, offer hope for improving contraceptive access and empowering women to make informed choices about their reproductive health,” she said.

(NAN)