Experts Gather In London To Propose Appropriate Medical Devices For Developing World

Experts Gather In London To Propose Appropriate Medical Devices For Developing World

Friday, September 09, 2011

The Guardian?s "Poverty Matters Blog" reports on a one-day conference held in London this week that brought together engineers, health workers, donors and charities to look at devices specifically designed for the developing world. The conference, which was organized by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), addressed that fact that, according to WHO estimates, "as much as three-quarters of all medical devices in the developing world do not function" because of such factors as "[p]arts that are expensive and difficult to replace, the need for a constant electricity supply, a lack of trained operators [or]�unsuitability to rough terrain," the blog notes.

The devices proposed at the conference include a solar-powered hearing aid, nipple shields for HIV-positive mothers who wish to breastfeed and a special seat that would allow donkeys to provide "cheap emergency transport" in remote, mountainous regions, according to the blog (Tran, 9/18).�

The Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report is published by the Kaiser Family Foundation. 2011 Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved. The report summarizes the latest, most relevant information on U.S. global health policy developments and related news from hundreds of sources. Access today's full report or sign up for an email subscription to the Daily Report.

Source: http://feeds.kff.org/~r/kff/kdghpr/~3/JSC-5EBIG9E/GH-090911-Donkey-Ambulance.aspx

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