Crib A'Glow
Crib A'Glow is a portable solar-powered phototherapy unit that uses blue LED lights to treat infants with jaundice. The device was invented by Virtue Oboro, a visual designer and mother whose newborn son had developed jaundice. Crib A'Glow has won multiple prizes for innovation.
Background
[edit]In 2015, Oboro's son developed symptoms of jaundice soon after birth. The nearby hospital had five phototherapy units; however, two were already in use and the other three were inoperable. Once he was in a phototherapy unit, a power outage led to him developing severe jaundice for which he received an emergency blood transfusion.[1] Jaundice affects more than 60% of newborns throughout the world, with the most serious cases requiring phototherapy. In Nigeria, it is estimated that fewer than 5% of medical facilities have sufficient phototherapy devices to treat the condition.[2] Approximately 100,000 infants die annually from jaundice, with many more experiencing permanent injuries.[1]
After Oboro's son recovered, she and her husband began their Tiny Hearts Technology company to work on the development of a portable crib that could use solar power to provide phototherapy to jaundiced infants.[1]
Description
[edit]Oboro was assisted by her husband's experience with solar energy and a pediatrician who helped ensure the device met phototherapy guidelines and was safe.[2][3]
Manufactured in Nigeria and using local materials, Crib A'Glow is affordable, retailing at $360 compared to $2,000 for other phototherapy units used in Nigeria.[2] Phototherapy devices used in developed countries have common side effects such as skin burns, dehydration, and rashes. Crib A'Glow avoids these side effects through the use of LED lights.[1]
The portable unit is particularly useful in remote areas where access to electricity can be limited or inconsistent.[2]
Crib A'Glow is in use at hundreds of hospitals in Nigeria and Ghana[2] and has treated about 300,000 babies as of December 2021.[1]
Awards
[edit]Johnson & Johnson awarded Crib A'Glow $50,000 as one of six winners of its Champions of Science Africa Innovation Challenge 2.0.[4][5] Tiny Hearts Technology, Oboro's company, received the third-place prize from the Africa Business Center of the United States Chamber of Commerce for its inaugural Digital Innovation Awards in 2020.[6] The device was selected by the Royal Academy of Engineering for the Africa Prize 2022 shortlist.[7][8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Griffin, Jo (December 27, 2021). "Engineering the future: meet the Africa prize shortlist innovators". the Guardian. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Cairns, Rebecca (February 22, 2022). "This Nigerian tech startup is fighting baby jaundice with solar-powered cribs". CNN. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "Nigerian Mom Designs Solar-Powered Cribs That Put an End to Baby Jaundice Disease". The Scotfree. March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Champions of Science Africa Innovation Challenge announced". Bizcommunity. September 5, 2019. ProQuest 2284819722.
- ^ Rabbitt, Meghan (September 5, 2019). "6 Entrepreneurs Whose Savvy Innovations Could Boost Healthcare Across Africa". Content Lab U.S. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Chamber Recognizes Three Nigerian-Based Startups With Digital Innovation Awards at U.S.-Nigeria Digital Economy Conference". Targeted News Service. December 5, 2020. ProQuest 2467345742.
- ^ "2022". Royal Academy of Engineering. December 3, 2021. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ Kangethe, Joseph (February 2, 2022). "Great minds who won The 2022 African Prize for Engineering Innovation". The Exchange. Retrieved March 15, 2022.