Opportunity Area

How might we improve access to maternal health pharmaceuticals and supplies for the youth in Uganda?

Sub Area:

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Topic: Emergency obstetric care

What is the title of your idea?

iDrain

Describe your idea in one sentence.

This is an improved chest drainage system which removes the pleural effusion contents of mothers who get their build up.

Where are you located?

Mbarara, Uganda

Are you incorporated?

No

If not, do you hope to complete within the next one month once accepted into the program?

Yes

How did you come up with the idea? Explain briefly how you identified the need or opportunity?

Developed the idea in August, 2016 from a Global Surgery Hack-a-thon held at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. As a team we were obliged to come up with an innovation of our own and we came up with the idea.
7 out of 10 mothers who undergo cesarean section retain pleural effusion and so require immediate attention with the system. In Uganda (and Africa at large), there is no known manufacturer of the device. People resort to the use of traditional ways of using water bottles which are not safe.
According to statistics, 146 out 100,000 mothers die after giving birth and with this in place, the number is expected to reduce.

What problem does your idea solve in the market?

This system goes for an anticipated price of United States dollars 6.25 (US$6.25 equivalent of 20,000UGX) while that of the Indian counterparts goes for US$400 per pack making ours cost effective.
Our supply meets the growing demand.
It is reusable and can be reused once sterilized.
It is power independent making it energy efficient.
According to; Reducing Maternal Mortality in Uganda Ellis et al; Pg 222, Scarcity of equipment, medications, and blood for transfusion are major contributors to inadequateemergency obstetrical care. This solves lack of equipment that is easy to use.

Who are the beneficiaries of your solution and how will they benefit?

Mothers who have undergone surgery, individuals who have had accidents, and patients with chronic infections such as Tuberculosis, cancer, emphysema and connective tissue damage. They will benefit by using this device which improves their quality of life.

Why are you convinced your idea will solve the challenge or need?

It has a valve which ensures there is no back flow of pleural contents into the chest.
It works on the basis of negative pressure making flow follow gravitational force.
Has a bellow for sucking out air built in the system while in use.
Has a water seal.
Stable on the ground and thus no chances of it sliding off while in use.
The patients can move with it making it mobile and increase compliance.
Together, all this ensure there is no infection caused from its use.

What other initiatives like yours exist out there? How will you differentiate yourself?

The ones on the local market are traditional in that they are made from water bottles and straws which are highly infectious. There is reported high chances of patient in compliancy with the existing system. People will be sensitized on the dangers of using them.
The Indian manufacturer’s system is more expensive than ours therefore clients will willingly choose ours.
The tubes they use usually get obstructed by the pleural contents and stop the drainage.
They are not stable on the ground and usually slid off during use.

What have you done up-to date to test your idea with potential users? What learnings do you have to share?

Tested it at the hospital of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital on over 100 patients who had retained pleural effusion and it has gained success in the last 2 months.
We have leant to make use of a water seal that is airtight, fixed valves in the tubes and been able to get all the required materials required for assembling the equipment locally.

Please tell us about each founder and their roles on the team. How do you know your founders and how long have you worked together?

1. Mr. Ssebaketta Julius is currently at Mbarara University of Science and Technology doing Bachelors of Pharmacy. He oversees marketing and distribution.
2. Mr. Burinya Benson Bekinga, a student at Kampala International University pursuing Bachelors of Clinical Medicine and Community Health, is the team leader and oversees all the team’s activities.
3. Ms. Namayenga Catherine, a Bachelors of Biomedical engineering holder at Makerere University Kampala supervises the production and assembling of the system.
4. Ms. Agaba Patricia, a student at Mbarara University of Science and Technology pursuing Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery, is the one responsible for product testing in our newly formed potential markets.
We have worked together since August, 2016.

Please tell us about other team members that are not cofounders.

None of the members.

Please describe each founder’s previous experience starting out a business or working in the area of sexual reproductive health? Or You can share anything impressive that each founder brings to the team.

1. Mr. Ssebaketta Julius is business oriented and prescribes drugs that are co-used with the iDrain system with ease.
2. Mr. Burinya Benson Bekinga, has attended to hundreds of mothers at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital and secreaned them for Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer.
3. Ms. Namayenga Catherine is a known market researcher and has wide diversity on guiding and counseling mothers.
4. Ms. Agaba Patricia other has wide knowledge on Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Where is your team located? Please indicate the city or town.

Mbarara, Uganda

Which members of your team will attend the program full-time?

All the four (4) members.

Please share a link to a 3 minute online video that best describes your idea and your team

https://youtu.be/ilJGHMrmmS4

Supporting Documents

View Document

How old are you?

23

Gender

Male