Innovation in Healthcare winner's showcase

Innovation in Healthcare

 Category sponsored by:

Professor Subhashchandra Daga, MIMER Medical College, India

The judges were impressed by the innovative way in which the team from MIMER College in India adapted polysterene foam boxes that were used to transport vaccines to act as a home incubator and a transport device to keep new born babies warm. They put four breathing holes into the boxes to allow air to circulate and to bubble oxygen through or to provide external feeding if needed. The team found that not only were the boxes easy to use for families and traditional birth attendants but they were also safe and effective.

Subhashchandra Daga said:

"This BMJ Group award will raise awareness of a simple and a low cost device, the Styrofoam Box,that keeps the babies warm without use of electricity. This device holds hope for survival to thousands of low birth weight babies that are born at home, in harsh weather conditions, and in poor and remote areas of the world.We also hope that the award inspires others to use innovative technology in health for the larger good of the mankind.