Collected in the Reimagining Global Health (RGH) report , these improvements aim to meet the goals set by the United Nations for 2030 , which focus on ending preventable deaths in neonates and children under five years of age , and that the rate of maternal mortality is reduced to less than 70 women for every 100,000 live births.
The initiative, supported mostly by the international organization PATH and carried out by 50 experts, brings together promising innovations in four areas: maternal, newborn and child health; infectious diseases; reproductive health; and non-communicable diseases . Will they all be up and running in the next 15 years? These are:
New formulations of oxytocin
The forms of oxytocin that are being developed and tested could increase coverage as they will be much easier to administer and will not need to be kept in cold places for proper storage.
Kangaroo mother care
The report also proposes improving the survival of children thanks to the ‘ skin-to-skin ‘ method, since this intimate contact improves the thermal regulation of newborns and promotes breastfeeding.
Neonatal resuscitators
One in ten newborns need help to breathe immediately after leaving the womb. Currently there are reusable resuscitators, but we want to reduce production costs and make them more accessible.
Small-scale water treatment tools
We all know that contaminated water can lead to diarrheal diseases, one of the leading causes of death among children . New technologies make it easier to disinfect this much-needed good or to get it cheaper. This proposal is capable of treating up to 8,000 liters and more than one and a half million lives of children.
Broadly neutralizing antibodies in HIV vaccines
Although some promising vaccines already exist, scientists aim to take full advantage of the potential of broadly neutralizing antibodies to reproduce harmless HIV variants. On the other hand, they are fighting for the improvement of adherence to treatment in people infected with HIV through long-acting antiretrovirals (GSK1265744 and TMC278-LA) that would be injected every eight weeks, thus replacing the daily oral intake.
Powerful single-dose anti-malaria drug
It is estimated that by 2022 a new drug (OZ439) will be ready, capable of attacking the most resistant strains, and ideally, only one dose would be needed to cure the disease . Work is also being done on the vaccine that blocks the transmission of malaria, and on improving rapid detection tests.
One year contraceptive vaginal ring
Within the reproductive health area, it is the most notable innovation, according to the report. Its peculiarity is that it can be used up to a maximum of 13 times; it is in the body for 21 days and is removed for 7). “It is a good option for many women. They can put it on themselves at home. In addition, it is comfortable and reversible for those who want to have more control over family planning,” says the report.
Injectable contraceptives
This is one more option that will allow women to have in their own hands the decision of having or not having children or of spacing pregnancies , if they consider that they are not physically, mentally, or financially prepared.
Polipíldora
It consists of a combination of low-cost medications that reduces cardiovascular risk or controls its progression. Being a single daily pill, it would facilitate adherence to treatment in high-risk groups.
Uterine balloon tamponade
When women have postnatal bleeding that is difficult to control, professionals use a small balloon that presses against the wall of the uterus and reduces bleeding. A cheaper version can be made by tying a condom to a catheter, which allows it to be inflated with clean water.
Device to measure blood pressure and risk of shock during labor
Preeclampsia affects more than 5% of pregnant women and, if left untreated, leads to a hypertensive disorder (eclampsia) and is fatal. Methods to detect pre-eclampsia are being tested, with devices that measure blood pressure or perform biomarker tests.
Chlorhexidine for the umbilical cord
Chlorhexidine is a very inexpensive antiseptic, recently applied and successfully used to prevent umbilical cord infections. This measure would reduce deaths due to sepsis by 9%.
Best respiratory rate monitors
Current detection monitors measure blood oxygen, respiratory capacity, and other parameters , but research is under way on how to make them in a way that makes them more affordable and functional.
Delegation of functions in diabetes care
Taking advantage of the mass use of mobile devices and innovating in e-health is another of the chosen proposals. This will improve the exchange of information, encourage changes in patient habits, and facilitate communication with health professionals, thereby reducing the burden of these diseases.
In addition to all of the above, researchers around the world are working to launch drugs and new vaccines against tuberculosis, treatments against severe diarrhea; improvement in nucleic acid amplification tests; greater access to intrauterine implants and portable eye detection devices, etc.
“To achieve the 2030 health goals , we must focus on our brightest minds, collective resources, and shared aspirations to accelerate innovations with the greatest potential for impact,” said Steve Davis, CEO and CEO of PATH.
