Crib A'glow Solar Phototherapy for jaundiced newborn babies

MY STORY:

My son was diagnosed with severe neonatal jaundice in 2015 and as a first time mother, living in a rural community in the Niger-Delta of Nigeria, I did not understand the symptoms of jaundice or possible solutions or dangers that it could cause. Upon going round the hospitals in the state, the doctors said there was no available phototherapy device for him to be treated with. My son's health continued to deteriorate. Neonatal jaundice affects 50% of term babies and 80% of preterm babies, but in Nigeria, the incidents are unfortunately higher and result in higher infant death rates in many communities. This is as a result of poor access to electricity, poverty levels, poor access to good healthcare delivery and the high cost of imported phototherapy devices. Moreover, the babies that are lucky to access conventional fluorescent phototherapy devices end up having side effects such as skin burn, high fever, dehydration and heat rashes. This is as a result of the high temperatures in the fluorescent bulbs in conventional phototherapy devices available for use in most hospitals that are able to afford phototherapy. 

According the World Health Organisation, globally, an estimated 6 million babies do not receive treatment for neonatal jaundice because they lack access to effective phototherapy devices. The dire consequences of untreated jaundice are hearing loss, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, kernicterus or even death. In Nigeria, available statistics also shows that one newborn baby in every 22 dies as a result of jaundice. A situation which experts say has not changed in over a decade.  

Additionally, mothers and community health workers are not even aware on the dangers of untreated jaundice, its symptoms and its treatment. Rather, there is common practice were babies are given harmful herbs, exposed to unfiltered sunlight, as well as other unsafe methods in a bid to treat the health condition. This eventually results in even more avoidable complications and deaths.

THE STORY OF SURVIVAL

To solve the problem of untreated neonatal jaundice in underserved communities, we have built the “Crib A’glow” unit - a solar powered foldable phototherapy device used for the treatment of jaundice in newborn babies. 

These devices are designed and provided for hospitals and health centres in nondescript suburban and rural communities where access to stable electricity and access to good healthcare delivery is poor.  

The Crib A’glow Units have a lower temperature compared to most pre-existing phototherapy units, ruling out dehydration, skin burn and fever in the babies. 

Preexisting fluorescent based phototherapy devices are expensive and are not effective were electricity is absent. The Crib A’glow Solar Unit is designed to solve the problem of COST, ACCESS AND ELECTRICITY with the required standard of phototherapy. The efficacy of the Crib A'glow Unit has reduced the long stay on admission and has reduced the large number of Exchange Blood Transfusions (EBT) in these babies and also the number of complicated cases as a result of jaundice in health facilities where the device is being used.  

To increase the use of the Crib A'glow device, we carry out effective Continuous Medical Education (CME) in rural and urban communities targeting local birth attendants, community health workers, midwives and nurses on identifying, treatment and management of neonatal jaundice as well as the use of the Crib A'glow Phototherapy device. 

Tiny Hearts Technology serves jaundiced newborn babies, pregnant women and nursing mothers in struggling communities and camps of Internally Displaced People (IDP) as a result of communal clashes and insecurity. Residents of these communities are distant from access to basic social amenities including good healthcare. 

We provide the Crib A'glow for use in hospitals, primary health centres, community health centres for them to use for treatment of jaundice in newborn babies. 

The local birth attendants, generally called "Mama Ijaw" in Bayelsa State often take deliveries of pregnant women in rural communities especially where there are no accessible health facilities. We deploy Crib A'glow devices to such communities but what makes the use of the Crib A'glow sustainable and steady is the fact that it is accompanied with periodical "Jaundice Sensitisation Programs". We call it the YELLOW ALERT PROJECT. Through this consistent program, we sensitise health workers from Midwives, Nurses, Community Health Workers and the Mama Ijaws (Local Birth Attendants). 

We design training materials and translate them in local dialects to enable them observe babies for neonatal jaundice, identify symptoms and provide phototherapy where necessary. 

This has been a process in many communities in across the Niger-Delta and some other parts of Nigeria for over 6 years and has saved over 500,000 babies from neonatal jaundice and its dire consequences.

Additionally, health workers have generally been relieved from the strain of referring their "little patients" to distant hospitals were they can access phototherapy because of our proximity to rural and suburban communities. 

When my son was severely jaundiced, my family and I were faced with the challenge of accessing phototherapy devices in rural and suburban hospitals. Despite visiting over nine hospitals and making calls to at least five other health centres, we were unable to find a working device due to reasons such as unavailability, occupancy, and faulty devices. This led us to manage a faulty device, which we tried to fix ourselves when given access to it. This experience inspired me to create Crib A'glow and Tiny Hearts, a solution aimed at providing phototherapy devices and treatment to underserved communities in the thriving city of Yenagoa and its environs.

Engaging Stakeholders: To ensure that our solution met the unique needs of the community, we engaged with stakeholders in the health and community sectors during the development phase. We had conversations with them on their pain points and experiences with newborn and infant deaths and disabilities in the community. Paediatric nurses and doctors who work directly in newborn units also came onboard as advisors and ambassadors to work with us through the process of product testing and feedback. This collaboration has helped us improve our designs and continue to hold periodical meetings and training sessions with them to this day.

Identifying Challenges: During the process of engaging and involving stakeholders in the design phase, paediatricians identified the discomfort of higher temperatures in pre-existing phototherapy devices. They expressed their concerns about the high temperatures causing dehydration, skin burn, and constant fever in their "tiny patients". This feedback allowed us to design our solution with temperature control features to ensure the comfort and safety of newborns undergoing phototherapy treatment.

Access to Rural Communities: One of our unique strengths is our ability to access rural communities through our Yellow Alert Project, a jaundice sensitisation program where we speak the common dialect of the community dwellers. This approach has helped us raise awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment of jaundice, and has enabled us to reach underserved communities that would otherwise be difficult to access.

As a mother who has personally experienced the challenge of accessing phototherapy devices, I am passionate about providing a solution that addresses the needs of underserved communities in Nigeria. With my problem-solving, design, and change management skills, I believe that I am well-positioned to lead this initiative and make a meaningful impact on the lives of newborns and their families. 

The impact of Crib A'glow is significant, as it has already been deployed in over 160 hospitals and 40 Primary Health Centres across Nigeria. Additionally, the device has been used on-demand in over 350 homes, including those located in IDP (Internally Displaced Person) camps since its inception. The widespread adoption of Crib A'glow by healthcare facilities and households highlights its efficacy in treating newborn jaundice in resource-limited settings and this has resulted in to saving over 500,000 babies with this solution. This underscores the importance of our mission to provide affordable and accessible phototherapy treatment to infants in Nigeria and beyond.

VALIDATION: One of  the challenges we have faced is the negative perception that many people have about locally-made products, particularly medical devices. Despite the fact that we have taken great care to validate the quality of our product by ensuring that it meets regulatory and clinical standards, we have found it tough to convince hospitals and other organizations to either adopt the use of the Crib A'glow or purchase it.

We have found that many hospitals and organizations are hesitant to embrace locally-made products, and have been reluctant to adopt the Crib A'glow into their clinical practices. This has been a significant barrier for us as we work to bring our product to a wider audience.

By participating in the MIT SOLVE program, we believe that we can increase the validation of the Crib A'glow in settings such as hospitals, where engaging senior health workers has been particularly challenging. This will go far in helping us to break through the market barriers that we have encountered and to build more trust in our product among key stakeholders in the healthcare industry.

We are confident that the validation and exposure that we will gain through the MIT SOLVE program will be a major step forward for our company, and we look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT: We have been committed to engaging with our users to ensure that it continues to meet their needs. Through this ongoing dialogue, we have been able to identify areas where the device could be improved to make it more functional and effective.

Although we have made some improvements to the design of the Crib A'glow, we believe that there is still significant room for further development. In particular, we are interested in exploring ways to incorporate diagnostic capabilities into the device so that it can better monitor the symptoms and levels of jaundice in newborns undergoing phototherapy treatment.

Through our participation in the MIT SOLVE program, we hope to leverage the technical expertise and resources that are available to us to help us achieve this goal. We believe that by working closely with the experts at MIT SOLVE, we will be able to identify new technical support opportunities and better source the materials that we need to improve the functionality and performance of the Crib A'glow device.

Ultimately, our goal is to create a more effective and user-friendly device that can help healthcare providers to diagnose and treat jaundice in newborns more efficiently and effectively. With the support of MIT SOLVE, we are confident that we can achieve this goal and make a real difference in the lives of countless newborns and their families.

FUNDING & PARTNERSHIP: We are currently expanding our production and sales to Kenya and Ghana, we have a need to expand our production and storage capacity as well as online. Funding from the Solve and further recommendations of partnerships from MIT will make this process quicker for us.

The Crib A'glow device provides an alternative solution to the traditional phototherapy devices used for treating newborn jaundice, which can be expensive and require stable access to electricity. The Crib A'glow unit, on the other hand, is solar-powered, making it more affordable and accessible to families in rural and suburban communities who may not have access to stable electricity. This allows for more babies to receive treatment for jaundice, which can be a serious condition if left untreated.

Additionally, the Crib A'glow unit has a lower temperature compared to most pre-existing phototherapy units, reducing the risk of dehydration, skin burns, and fever in babies undergoing treatment. This helps to preserve infant health by minimizing the potential negative side effects of traditional phototherapy treatment.

Moreover, by reducing the length of hospital stays for newborns with jaundice, the Crib A'glow unit helps to preserve infant health by minimizing the risk of hospital-acquired infections and other complications associated with extended hospital stays.

We can catalyze broader positive impacts from others in the space of infant health by serving as a model for innovation and collaboration through: 

1. Collaboration: The Crib A'glow unit was developed through collaboration between healthcare professionals, engineers, and designers. This type of interdisciplinary collaboration could inspire others in the infant health space to work together to develop new solutions to important challenges.

2. Affordable and Accessible Healthcare: The Crib A'glow unit is solar-powered, making it more affordable and accessible to families in rural and suburban communities who may not have access to stable electricity. This approach could inspire others to develop more affordable and accessible healthcare solutions for underserved communities.

3. Safe and Effective Treatment: The Crib A'glow unit has a lower temperature compared to most pre-existing phototherapy units, reducing the risk of dehydration, skin burns, and fever in babies undergoing treatment. This approach could inspire others to prioritize the safety and effectiveness of treatments for infants and develop new solutions that minimize potential negative side effects.

4. Technology for Social Good: The Crib A'glow unit is an example of how technology can be used for social good. It could inspire others to develop innovative solutions that use technology to address important social issues, such as infant health.

Overall, the success of the Crib A'glow unit could influence the market for phototherapy devices used in the treatment of newborn jaundice by increasing competition, promoting innovation, prioritizing accessibility, and encouraging a focus on safety and effectiveness.

The potential impact goals for the next year and the next five years for the Crib A'glow unit is to increase its distribution to more hospitals and health centers in underserved communities, reduce the number of infants who require Exchange Blood Transfusions (EBT) for the treatment of jaundice, and raise awareness about the benefits of the unit among healthcare providers and families.

We plan to do this by:

1. Increasing distribution: In order to increase the distribution of the Crib A'glow unit, the team behind the product will partner with more hospitals and health centers in underserved communities. We will also explore partnerships with NGOs and other organizations that work to improve access to healthcare in these areas.

2. Reducing the need for EBT: The Crib A'glow unit has been shown to reduce the number of infants who require Exchange Blood Transfusions (EBT) for the treatment of jaundice. To achieve the goal of further reducing the need for EBT, the team behind the product could conduct additional research and share their findings with healthcare providers and families.

3. Raising awareness:We will attend relevant conferences and events, write articles  about our product, and engage with healthcare providers and families on social media. We will also consider partnering with influencers or other advocates who are passionate about improving infant health.

4. Scaling production: To meet the increasing demand for the Crib A'glow unit, we will scale up production. This will involve exploring partnerships with manufacturers or investing in new manufacturing equipment and processes.

5. Developing new products: Based on their research and insights, will develop new medical devices that address unmet needs in infant healthcare. These devices could include things like neonatal monitors, incubators, or respiratory support equipment, among others.
   

Overall, the potential impact goals for the next year and the next five years for the Crib A'glow unit could be achieved through a combination of partnerships, research, awareness-raising, and production scaling efforts. By working towards these goals, we will improve the health outcomes of infants in underserved communities and contribute to a more equitable healthcare system.

Progress towards impact goals for Crib A'glow is measured through a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators. Here are some key measures used to assess progress:

1. Number of Deployed Devices:

• We track the number of Crib A'glow devices produced and distributed to healthcare facilities and homes in underserved communities. This indicates the reach and availability of the devices for treating newborn jaundice - we have deployed over 380 units till date

Treatment Rates:

• By collaborating with health workers and caregivers, we are able to monitor the percentage of newborns diagnosed with jaundice who receive phototherapy treatment using Crib A'glow. This indicates the uptake and utilization of the devices in healthcare facilities and homes. 

Neonatal Mortality Rates:

• We have constantly engaged in comparing the neonatal mortality rates before and after the introduction of Crib A'glow in target communities. This has helped assess the impact of the intervention on reducing neonatal deaths related to untreated jaundice.

1. Treatment Outcomes:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of Crib A'glow by tracking treatment outcomes, such as the rate of jaundice resolution and reduction in bilirubin levels. This demonstrates the device's efficacy in improving the health outcomes of infants.

1. Complication Rates:

• Monitoring the occurrence of complications related to phototherapy treatment, such as skin burns or dehydration. This helps identify any adverse events and ensures the safety of infants during treatment.

Caregiver Feedback:

• Collecting feedback through during our repeated campaigns from caregivers who have used Crib A'glow to understand their satisfaction with the device and its impact on their child's health. This provides insights into the user experience and acceptance of the intervention.

Healthcare Professional Feedback:

• Gathering feedback from healthcare professionals who have utilized Crib A'glow to gauge their perception of its effectiveness, usability, and impact on their ability to provide quality care. This helps identify areas for improvement and further training needs.

Long-term Follow-up:

• Conducting follow-up assessments with infants treated with Crib A'glow to monitor their long-term health outcomes and identify any potential developmental or health concerns.

These measures collectively provide a comprehensive understanding of the progress made towards the impact goals of Crib A'glow. 

Engaging and collaborating with Healthcare Professionals, Caregivers and and parents is very instrumental to how we are able to measure the progress of our impact goals to date. By continuously evaluating these indicators and adapting interventions accordingly, we can ensure that we, through the production and deployment of the Crib A'glow are effectively addressing the challenge of newborn jaundice, reducing mortality rates, and improving the overall health outcomes of infants in underserved communities.

Intervention:

• Develop solar-powered phototherapy devices (Crib A'glow) for effective and affordable treatment of newborn jaundice in underserved communities.

Inputs:

• Research and development team for device design and manufacturing.
• Partnerships with healthcare facilities and organizations.
• Funding for device production and distribution.
• Training and education materials for healthcare professionals and caregivers.

Activities:

• Research and development of Crib A'glow devices.
• Establish partnerships with healthcare facilities, including hospitals and primary health centers.
• Develop distribution strategy and logistics for reaching targeted communities.
• Conduct community sensitization programs and awareness campaigns.
• Provide training sessions and educational materials to healthcare professionals and caregivers.

Outputs:

• Solar-powered phototherapy devices (Crib A'glow) produced and available for deployment.
• Partnerships established with healthcare facilities, ensuring device availability.
• Distribution network established to reach underserved communities.
• Community sensitization programs conducted, raising awareness about newborn jaundice.
• Healthcare professionals and caregivers trained on device usage and management of jaundice.

Outcomes:

• Increased access to phototherapy treatment for newborn jaundice in underserved communities.
• Early detection and timely treatment of jaundice, reducing neonatal mortality rates.
• Improved health outcomes for infants, reducing long-term complications.
• Enhanced knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals in managing jaundice.
• Increased awareness among caregivers, leading to early recognition of jaundice symptoms and appropriate action.

Impact:

• Reduced neonatal mortality rates and improved overall health outcomes in underserved communities.
• Empowered healthcare systems with effective tools and knowledge for jaundice management.
• Strengthened advocacy for the integration of Crib A'glow into national healthcare policies and guidelines.
• Sustainable access to phototherapy treatment for newborn jaundice across Nigeria and potentially beyond.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Monitoring the number of Crib A'glow devices produced and distributed.
• Tracking the usage of devices in healthcare facilities and homes.
• Collecting data on treatment outcomes, complications, and long-term health improvements.
• Conducting regular evaluations to assess the effectiveness and impact of the intervention.
• Utilizing findings for program improvement and evidence-based advocacy.

Through the logical framework and theory of change approaches, Crib A'glow aims to deliver a comprehensive solution to address the challenge of newborn jaundice in underserved communities. By outlining the inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, impact, and monitoring and evaluation aspects, we ensure a well-structured and strategic implementation of the program, leading to sustainable improvements in newborn healthcare. This approach enables us to track progress, measure the impact, and continuously improve our interventions to maximize the positive outcomes for infants and their families.

The Crib A'glow phototherapy device is powered by advanced LED (Light-Emitting Diode) technology. LEDs are small, energy-efficient light sources that emit specific wavelengths of light. In the case of the Crib A'glow device, the LEDs emit a particular wavelength of light that is effective in breaking down the excess bilirubin in a newborn's body.

LED technology is preferred for phototherapy treatment because it offers several advantages. LEDs are highly energy-efficient, consuming less electricity compared to traditional light sources. This is particularly important in low-resource areas where constant electricity supply may be a challenge. The energy-efficient nature of LEDs also contributes to longer battery life for portable versions of the device.

LEDs also have a longer lifespan and do not produce as much heat as other light sources, ensuring the safety and comfort of the newborn during treatment. The Crib A'glow device utilizes an array of LEDs strategically placed to provide even light distribution across the baby's body, maximizing the effectiveness of the phototherapy treatment.

The Crib A'glow device incorporates intelligent control systems that monitor and regulate the intensity and duration of the light emitted by the LEDs. This ensures that the treatment is tailored to the specific needs of the newborn, optimizing the therapeutic effect while minimizing potential side effects.

The use of LED technology in the Crib A'glow device enables efficient and effective treatment of jaundice in newborns, even in resource-constrained settings, ultimately improving the health outcomes for these vulnerable infants.

The Crib A'glow phototherapy device harnesses the power of solar energy to operate. This feature makes it particularly suitable for use in areas with limited or unreliable access to electricity. By utilizing solar power, the device becomes more accessible and sustainable in low-resource settings, where the availability of consistent electrical power may be a challenge.

The device incorporates solar panels that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. This renewable energy is then used to power the LED lights that emit the therapeutic wavelengths necessary for the phototherapy treatment. The solar panels typically consist of photovoltaic cells, which generate an electric current when exposed to sunlight.

The advantage of solar energy is its abundance and availability in many regions, especially those with ample sunlight. The solar-powered functionality of the Crib A'glow device allows healthcare providers to administer effective phototherapy treatment to newborns, even in remote areas where access to electrical grids may be limited or nonexistent.

The integration of solar energy technology in the Crib A'glow device enhances its versatility and portability. It reduces reliance on external power sources, such as electrical outlets or generators, making the device more independent and adaptable to various healthcare settings. Additionally, the use of solar energy aligns with sustainable practices, promoting environmentally friendly solutions for healthcare delivery.

By combining LED technology with solar energy, the Crib A'glow device offers an innovative and self-sustaining solution for treating newborn jaundice. It demonstrates the potential of renewable energy sources in powering medical devices, ensuring that life-saving treatments are accessible to those in need, regardless of their location or available infrastructure.

In 2019, there was an evident increase of Internally Displaced People Camps (IDP camps), and this was as a result of the insecurity and killings in the North and South in Nigeria. We became endangered because we were actively partnering with other agencies to deploy Crib A'glow devices to the temporary maternity health units that were set up in these camps for pregnant and infants. We had an urgent need to repackage the Crib A'glow device to look like a bag or a foldable bed to reduce being noticed or targeted. This singular improvement on our packaging enabled us deploy Crib A'glow devices to over 12 IDP camps in total that period. 

During the development phase of the Crib A'glow device, we started by engaging fabricators, engineers, medical professionals, designers, and researchers because of the uniqueness of the problem we are solving. The diversity of this team is what is responsible for the outcome of the Crib A'glow, ensuring it is effective, safe and culturally sensitive. By embracing viewpoints, the team identifies potential biases and barriers that could hinder access to healthcare such as ensuring the Crib A'glow is collapsible and lightweight to ensure it is easily moved around or transported to distant communities. Being located in a riverine part of Nigeria, the design of the device is targeted at accessibility even on water to reach riverine communities. 

Overall, our goal as an organisation is to ensure that phototherapy treatment reaches jaundiced babies regardless of where they are, so it is upon us build our team and improve our design to fulfil this goal

Because of the uniqueness of the problem that we solve, Tiny Hearts Technology revolves around a combination of revenue streams and strategies to ensure the sustainability and affordability of the Crib A'glow device. On a B2B and a B2C model, here are the key components of its business model: 

PRODUCT SALES: We sell the Crib A'glow with its solar-powered pack to healthcare facilities, hospitals, and primary health centres, government and nonprofits. These institutions purchase the devices to integrate them into their neonatal care units and offer effective treatment for newborn jaundice.

SHORT/LONG TERM LEASE: Low funded hospitals are not able to afford an outright purchase so we deploy the Crib A'glow device to them on lease on flexible payment plans.

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS: We offer service and maintenance contracts to healthcare facilities, providing regular device maintenance, repair, and technical support. This ensures the longevity and optimal performance of the devices, while generating recurring revenue through service agreements.

THIRD-PARTY DISTRIBUTORSHIP: Nigeria has 36 states with a population of close to 200 million people. To expand our reach, we have partnered with third-party distributors for the sales and distribution of the Crib A'glow device and our other accessories.

SALES OF NEW PRODUCTS: Our culture at Tiny Hearts Technology is to constantly innovate and design new products that close gaps in the infant health sector. On this grounds, we designed and currently produce complimentary products such B-Jaundice Rulers, Phototherapy Blindfolds and individual power packs that can run other medical devices in the absence of electricity.  

To enhance the financial sustainability of Crib A'glow, we have listed potential plans as well as those already being implemented:

1. OPTIMIZE COST: We will explore opportunities to optimize production costs without compromising the quality of the Crib A'glow. This includes sourcing materials and components at competitive prices, streamlining manufacturing processes, and identifying efficiencies in supply chain management. This will enable us  improve profit margins and make the our products and services more financially sustainable.

2. SCALE-UP: As the demand for Crib A'glow grows, we will leverage economies of scale by increasing production volumes. This can lead to reduced per-unit manufacturing costs and lower overall expenses. 

3. PRICING STRATEGIES: We will develop a pricing strategy that strikes a balance between affordability and sustainability of the Crib A'glow device. We will consider different pricing tiers or models to cater to various customer segments, such as healthcare facilities, hospitals, and primary health centres. Explore options like volume discounts for larger orders or differential pricing based on the financial capabilities of different regions.

4. DIVERSIFY REVENUE STREAMS: We will continue to explore additional revenue streams beyond sales, rent and maintenance of the Crib A'glow and our other products. We will offer value-added services such as training programs and maintenance contracts. These complementary services will not only generate additional revenue but also enhance customer satisfaction and strengthen long-term relationships with potential partners, customers and stakeholders.

5. PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS: We will forge strategic partnerships with organizations, both within the healthcare sector and beyond. Collaborate with NGOs, aid organizations, research institutions, and corporate entities to leverage their resources, expertise, and networks. Seek opportunities for co-development, joint marketing initiatives, or shared distribution channels to expand the reach of Crib A'glow while minimizing costs.

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: We will protect and manage the intellectual property (IP) associated with Crib A'glow. This includes obtaining patents, trademarks, or copyrights where applicable. Effective IP management will potentially create opportunities for licensing agreements, royalties, or technology transfer, further diversifying revenue streams and fostering financial sustainability.

7. FUNDRAISING AND GRANTS: We will continue to actively seek philanthropic funding, grants, and sponsorships from foundations, governmental agencies, and private donors that align with the mission and objectives of Tiny Heart Technology, using the Crib A'glow device, local healthcare worker trainings and campaigns. Develop compelling proposals, highlighting the social impact, scalability, and sustainability of the project to attract financial support.

8. EXPAND THE MARKET: We will explore opportunities to expand the market beyond Nigeria to other countries or regions facing similar challenges in neonatal care. Conduct market research to identify potential target markets, adapt the product to meet specific regulatory requirements, and establish distribution networks in those regions. Market expansion will potentially increase revenue potential and reduce reliance on a single market.

By implementing these plans, we can enhance our financial sustainability, ensuring the long-term availability and affordability of the product to improve the lives of newborns in underserved communities while maintaining a viable and self-sustaining business model.

We have already began the process of achieving some of the plans listed above.

• We optimize our costs by ensuring we source 90% of our materials locally to reduce the cost of material purchase; we design and produce low energy consuming parts of our device with Solar Energy to also reduce the cost of purchasing and burning diesel and fuel for production as this has a reasonable impact on our costings. We have also streamlined production times to 3 times in a year where we produce in badges and stock them for sale. 
• We are also generating additional forms of revenue by expanding from production of the Crib A'glow device to producing other products such as the B-Jaundice Ruler, Photocare reusable phototherapy blindfolds and power-packs to light up other individual medical devices. 
• We are currently raising funds through grants and international donor organisations to expand our reach
• We have commenced the process of expanding our sales to other markets and have sold the Crib A'glow device in countries such as Ghana and Kenya.