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Gender affairs PS Zainab Hussein speaking during the launch of the maker space where engineering students working together with nurses to design lifesaving equipment for Kenya's mothers and babies. Photo/Monicah Mwangi
The University of Nairobi and Kenyatta National Hospital have partnered to develop three medical devices.
They are a photo-therapy unit for treatment of babies born with jaundice, suction device and an improved examination lamp, both used during deliveries and operations.
The devices were developed at the university's Maker Space laboratory, funded by US anti-poverty NGO – Concern Worldwide.
The laboratory was launched in 2013 to address maternal, newborn and child health.
This created a partnership between engineering students, doctors, nurses and biomedical engineers from KNH.
The university has already secured patents for the devices, said to be more superior to the existing equipment in the market.
“We want innovation to be the key defining factor of our leadership. We can make anything that makes anything. That's the spirit of this space,” UoN vice chancellor Prof Peter Mbithi said.
The devices were launched yesterday by Gender PS Zeinab Hussein at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences in Kabete.
She praised the university for initiating projects that focus on local needs.
“In government, we believe our development will depend on innovations that understand our own needs and gaps,” Hussein said.
She encouraged girls to take science-related courses at the university.
Hussein said in the next six months, the government would start a campaign to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics among girls.
“The days of Stem being a reserve only for men are long gone,” she said.
Dr Richard Ayah, the director of the university's science and technology park, which hosts the laboratory, said the medical products were developed by undergraduate students supervised by technical staff.
He said five more devices were in different stages of development.
“One of the ways of unlocking innovation is to have different people working together. We have put together engineering and medical specialists to develop these products,” Ayah said.
“If they are successful the work of the Maker Hub could mean the difference between life and death for mothers and babies in critical health emergencies,” Concern said in a statement.
UON and KNH unveil locally developed medical equipment
