portable and durable pediatric monitoring system enhances healthcare access in africa

goal 3 impala: transforming pediatric healthcare

Born from a collaboration between GOAL 3, ManGo Product Design, and Amref Flying Doctors, the IMPALA health monitor has been developed to transform pediatric healthcare in low and middle-income countries. This affordable monitoring system has already achieved optimal results during its pilot implementation at St. Luke’s Hospital in Malawi, with a 61.7% reduction in baby mortality and a 26% reduction in admission time, revolutionizing healthcare access in Africa. 

In countries with higher healthcare budgets each patient in a hospital will have their own monitor to keep track of their vital signs. In Africa however, to attach such an expensive device to each patient, is not feasible due to budget limitations. Hence one system must be able to monitor multiple patients, and it was thus decided to make the health monitor a portable, drop-protective device integrated with a sturdy handle and a protective sleeve.

all images courtesy of ManGo Product Design

goal 3 and mango craft user-friendly medical technology

GOAL 3’s mission is to empower healthcare workers with durable and user-friendly medical technology in underprivileged regions, aiming to enhance healthcare access for 100 million people by 2030. Their first step toward achieving this goal was the development of an affordable pediatric monitoring system suitable for challenging environments and regions. Most hospitals in African countries rely on equipment donations from Western or Asian settings, which are often ill-suited for their environments. Not only is this equipment unable to withstand high heat and humidity of the common unsealed hospitals, but the unreliable power grid also plays a role. Frequent power spikes and extended periods without electricity require robust engineering to ensure the equipment’s functionality and durability.

The GOAL 3 IMPALA system was developed in collaboration with ManGo Product Design, whose work encompasses the electronics, software, user interface, and device itself. The project began with an IDO13485 audit of the selected manufacturer to comply with medical industry standards, and clinical trials in Malawi, necessitating efficient development within a limited timeframe, and collecting valuable user input to inform the design.

portable, durable, and visually appealing

The GOAL 3 IMPALA patient monitor was designed to be highly portable, unlike its Western or Asian counterparts. Addressing this, the design team integrated a sturdy handle into the device, ensuring ease of transportation, and a protective sleeve to achieve impact resistance. The team at ManGo focused on creating a distinctive design language for the monitor, aiming to evoke positive emotions and relief for both healthcare providers and patients. Unlike conventional monitors, often lacking in pleasing aesthetics, the monitor radiates a sense of uplifting optimism. Further, as the device would predominantly be used in hot and humid climates, the team conducted extensive CFD analysis and thermal measurements to safeguard and electronics from damage while still providing adequate cooling.

The collaboration resulted in a meticulous integration of the monitor’s components. Logical locations for the alarm light, connectors, PCBA’s, and touch screen were determined, taking into account user feedback and extensive testing. Drop, topple, and freefall tests were conducted, along with water ingress protection and thermal testing in a climate chamber. Further, following field tests in Malawi and optimal results, only one unexpected issue was discovered: cockroaches infiltrating the monitor. The air flow slots, necessary for cooling the electronics, inadvertently allowed baby cockroaches to enter and cause damage to the internal components. By adding small meshes into the air slots, the team was able to prevent access to the device for the cockroaches.

project info:

name: GOAL 3 IMPALA
designer: ManGo Product Design

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom