MariTest

MariTest

MariTest

Re-Imagining Malaria diagnosis in Sub-Saharan Africa

Kampala, Uganda

UGA

Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit

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Malaria remains a public health emergency across sub-Saharan Africa, where 95% of global malaria cases and 97% of deaths occur—76% among children. Every 75 seconds, a child under five dies from malaria, totaling over 1,100 lives lost daily. Community Health Workers (CHWs), often the only point of care in remote areas, are central to malaria detection and treatment. Yet they are being failed by outdated tools—primarily malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (mRDTs). mRDTs are becoming increasingly unreliable due to Plasmodium falciparum mutations (HRP2/HRP3 deletions), leading to up to 80% false negatives in some regions. Stockouts caused by a $4.3 billion funding gap further leave CHWs diagnosing based on symptoms alone—fueling drug resistance and mistreatment. mRDTs also generate significant plastic waste and require cold-chain storage, both unfeasible in off-grid communities. Additionally, poor data collection—still largely paper-based—means health systems lack real-time surveillance to detect outbreaks or allocate resources effectively. This fragmented, under-resourced diagnostic system is costing lives and undermining efforts to eliminate malaria by 2030. Without a sustainable, accurate, and scalable diagnostic solution, malaria will continue to devastate communities and reverse decades of progress. The time for transformative action is now.

MariTest is a hand held device that helps detect malaria quickly and accurately—without needing a blood sample. Instead of pricking a finger, the user simply places their finger on the device. Within two minutes, MariTest uses advanced sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect hemozoin, a substance produced when malaria parasites break down blood in the body. This makes it effective across all malaria types, even those that current test kits often miss. MariTest is rechargeable, works with solar power, and does not produce medical waste, unlike single-use test kits. It also connects to a digital system that tracks malaria cases in real time, helping health officials respond to outbreaks faster and more effectively. Our solution directly serves community health workers (CHWs), especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas, where lab tests and doctors are scarce. By giving CHWs a reliable, easy-to-use tool, MariTest allows them to diagnose malaria early, start treatment quickly, and save more lives. It also helps identify severe cases faster, ensuring patients get the urgent care they need. MariTest is not just a tool—it’s a smarter, safer, and more sustainable way to fight malaria.

Our primary target population is Community Health Workers (CHWs) and the remote, underserved communities they serve across sub-Saharan Africa—particularly children under five, who account for over 75% of malaria deaths. These communities are disproportionately affected by malaria due to limited access to healthcare infrastructure, trained personnel, and accurate diagnostic tools. CHWs are the first—and often only—point of care in these areas. However, they are severely underserved. They rely on outdated rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) that are increasingly unreliable due to Plasmodium falciparum mutations, frequently out of stock, and environmentally unsustainable. In the absence of proper tools, CHWs are forced to diagnose based on symptoms, leading to mistreatment, drug resistance, and avoidable deaths. MariTest directly addresses these gaps. It’s a non-invasive, AI-powered, handheld device that delivers accurate malaria results in under two minutes—without requiring blood, reagents, or electricity. It empowers CHWs with a reusable, easy-to-use diagnostic tool that improves early detection and enables timely treatment. Additionally, it supports digital reporting for better outbreak tracking and health planning. By equipping CHWs with smarter, sustainable tools, MariTest enhances their effectiveness and ensures that even the most remote communities have access to life-saving diagnostics.