Updated Nov 12, 2020
Sofia Stafford
Send MessageDespite global reductions in maternal and child mortality, women and newborns are still dying at alarming rates during childbirth, especially in rural, low-resource regions of the world. In sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, many governments have turned to policies focused on comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEmONC) as a necessity for reducing maternal and newborn deaths. General anesthesia is a core signal function of CEmONC—needed to ensure the safety of C-sections and other procedures—but at rural health facilities, the inputs needed to offer quality anesthesia are stifled by limitations in physical and human resources, leaving thousands of women and newborns without adequate care to survive childbirth.
The UAM is paired with comprehensive simulation-based training and local technicians certified to provide preventative and reactive maintenance to every UAM in the field. First, the UAM. As a means of reducing maternal and newborn mortality, many countries prioritize comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care capacity at the first facility women go to give birth in rural districts. In these settings, basic infrastructure affecting quality of anesthesia care is insufficient: many facilities lack reliable oxygen and steady access to electricity, both of which are required for safe anesthesia care. The UAM has been procured by governments and individuals for its ability to thrive in such settings: when there is power, it will generate its own medical oxygen without the need for an external source; if the power goes out, it will connect to any other oxygen source and continue ventilating and monitoring the patient on battery backup; and if both power and oxygen fail, the UAM will continue delivering anesthesia safely using room air. The UAM also comes with a three-year warranty covering annual maintenance, repairs, spare parts and ongoing customer support. The UAM is augmented by simulation-based training and mentorship—as a means of skills development, evaluation, and product-specific practice. This "package" of the UAM, service warranty, and trainings provides an innovative solution to these realities.
EXECUTIVE TEAM INCLUDES WOMEN