Indian
engineer Nitesh Kumar Jangir whose low-cost neonatal breathing device saved the
lives of new-born babies across small towns.
India won the 2019 Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable
Development Award in London.
Nitesh Kumar Jangir created Saans as a breathing support device to avoid deaths
of premature babies from respiratory distress syndrome due to a lack of
immediate access to complex medical equipment.
He received his award in the People category alongside 14 other innovators from
across the 53 member-countries of the Commonwealth.
The main aim is to ensure that babies don’t lose their lives due to the lack of
access to a piece of technology.
This device can be used anywhere to deliver crucial support to premature
babies.
About
CPAP Device
It is the world’s first neonatal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
device which can be used in multiple ways through direct source electricity
including a vehicle’s electrical supply, a rechargeable battery, compressed
gas, or even manual air pumping.
It is of low cost and this award for use in similar conditions in regions like
Africa.
The Commonwealth Innovation Awards receive a trophy, a certificate and 2,000
pounds in prize money.
The awards are divided with five thematic categories improving the lives of
People; boosting prosperity; protecting the planet, promoting peace; and
building partnerships for development.
