[imagesource:wikicommons]

In another win for South African Universities, Maureen Etuket, a doctoral student at Stellenbosch University, and her team developed a device to prevent maternal deaths caused by postpartum haemorrhage.

The device improves blood loss diagnosis and management and won them the Mandela Rhodes Foundation’s 2023 Äänit Prize.

Along with the millions of potential lives they could save, the team also won a handsome $ 38,000 (R700 000).

The oldest of four siblings, Etuket says she is grateful for this award as it will go a long way towards helping them finish the prototype and make the device available for use in hospitals – hopefully by 2025. She credits the award to the hard work of the entire team.

The Ugandan-born researcher discovered that many nurses rely on visual estimation to detect excessive bleeding after childbirth, known as Postpartum Hypertension (PPH). This is often referred to as ‘silent death’.

Etuket and students at Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research and Education Institute developed a SMART PVD device to measure blood loss after childbirth, which could significantly improve healthcare in understaffed hospitals.

She explains: “Before a woman gives birth, a drape (blood collection container) is attached to the bed so that the blood can flow into it for measurement.

“Our device also has an electronic module which we put inside this bag, and it sounds an alarm when the blood has reached a certain level. This alarm alerts doctors and midwives to attend to a woman who might be in danger. The electronic module is not connected to the blood and hence does not touch the blood.

“When you’re able to know how much blood a woman is losing, you’re able to deliver the appropriate care on time because there’s planning that goes into it. Sometimes the theatre needs to be ready, sometimes it’s about the blood transfusion. The blood bank has to be notified; they need to prepare a couple of pints of blood. Sometimes the doctor must be notified on time.”

Although the prototype is still in its early stages, Etuket is certain that the final product will be a game changer in public healthcare not only in Africa but around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.

“Postpartum haemorrhage is not just a problem in Uganda; it is also a concern in other parts of Africa, including South Africa. We must find ways to prevent excessive bleeding after birth as this is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation. Women do not have to die from this.”

Etuket already laid the framework for this when she worked towards her Master’s degree in Health Innovation at UCT in 2022.

Keep an eye on this lady, she’s going to change the lives of many in the decades to come.

[source:uct/engineering]