Innovative Medical Devices Transforming Women’s Health in Africa

In 2024, the McKinsey Health Institute called for urgent action to address the global women’s health gap, emphasizing the need for innovative financing models to boost private-sector involvement. Across Africa, this gap has fueled a surge of groundbreaking health technologies designed specifically to tackle the unique challenges faced by women. From life-saving diagnostics to wearable devices, these innovations are revolutionizing care and paving the way for a healthier future for African women. Here are five remarkable technologies leading the charge:?

1. AI-Powered Ultrasound Devices

Despite advancements in recent decades, maternal and infant mortality rates remain high across the continent. This can be attributed to the limited accessibility of antenatal care in underserved regions, preventing many from obtaining timely, life-saving treatment. Obstetric ultrasound is crucial for quality antenatal care, but up to 50% of women in developing countries lack access to this service.?

Recent innovations in low-cost, hand-held ultrasound devices could address this problem. However, traditional training for ultrasound interpretation is lengthy and complex. To address this, new protocols and AI-based interpretation methods are being developed. These cost-effective, handheld scanners, which connect to smartphones or tablets, provide immediate visual insights without requiring users to interpret the images themselves.?

One study conducted in Zambia demonstrated that these devices can aid health workers in remote regions within various low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) perform ultrasounds to estimate key obstetric measurements: gestational age (GA, essential for planning and scheduling screening tests during pregnancy and for managing complications such as preeclampsia and preterm labour) and foetal malpresentation. The study found that the AI models performed comparably or better than traditional methods.

By enabling real-time sharing of images and videos through telehealth, these devices can also facilitate remote consultations and prompt referrals for specialised care, improving maternal and infant outcomes.

2. Single-dose HPV vaccines

The majority of cervical cancer deaths (above 90%) occur in LMICs. One promising innovation in women’s health is the recent discovery that a single dose of the HPV vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer, is as effective as the previously recommended two doses. A clinical trial conducted in Kenya involving girls and women aged 15-20 demonstrated that a single dose of Gardasil? or Cervarix? was approximately 98% effective in preventing persistent HPV 16/18 infections.

This new guidance could significantly increase the availability and accessibility of this crucial vaccine for women and girls worldwide.

3. Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment

Haemorrhage (Excessive or uncontrolled bleeding) is the most frequent direct cause of death linked to both spontaneous and induced terminations of pregnancy (TOP).?

The non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG), a simple first-aid device, effectively reduces blood loss and mortality from hypovolemic shock due to obstetric haemorrhage. In many LMICs, women with post-TOP haemorrhage often face delays in treatment due to stigma, making the NASG especially beneficial. A secondary analysis of trials in Egypt, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, involving 953 women, found that adding the NASG to standard care significantly reduced blood loss and mortality in severe cases.?

4. The CRADLE Vital Signs Alert

This semi-automated device monitors blood pressure and heart rate and has been validated for use in pregnant women. It is beneficial in low-resource settings, due to its durable, user-friendly design. Results are displayed digitally with a traffic light system indicating abnormal vital signs. This simplicity is crucial in low-resource settings, where less-trained staff handle routine tasks, and community health workers serve as key links to medical care, especially in maternity care.?

A study in community and primary care settings in Mozambique and Nigeria found that the CRADLE device was well accepted by healthcare workers across various countries and facility levels, including those with no prior experience in measuring vital signs. The device also motivated women to seek primary care and facilitated their acceptance of treatment and referrals.

5. The Ellavi Balloon Tamponade

Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) or excessive bleeding after childbirth, is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. PATH and Sinapi developed the Ellavi9 uterine balloon tamponade, an affordable, easy-to-use device which works by exerting pressure on the uterus to counter PPH and reduce bleeding. A study conducted in India recommended its use by highlighting the balloon tamponade device’s time-saving benefits, as it eliminates the need to manually assemble a “condom catheter”? (a low-cost solution some health workers had been using to reduce postpartum bleeding) with a tube and saline bag.?

In Conclusion

While strides have been made in bringing cost-effective, high-impact medical devices to women and girls across low- and middle-income countries, the journey is far from complete. To truly close the gender gap and improve health outcomes for women worldwide, greater investment in research and development is essential. At DébboAfrica, we are committed to closing this gap by making cutting-edge innovations more accessible to African women, empowering them with the tools they need for healthier, more prosperous lives. With the right support, we can transform the future of women’s health across the continent and beyond.

Written by Temi O.

Disclaimer

The content provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical guidance. Individual health circumstances may vary, and readers are encouraged to seek appropriate medical evaluation and treatment based on their specific needs and conditions.