On June 1, 2022, Revital Healthcare (EPZ) Limited made history by becoming the world's first manufacturer of a respiratory device that supports neonates and infants with breathing problems without the need for electricity.
The Kilifi County-based firm's latest innovation, the Vayu Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (bCPAP) system, provides blended oxygen to infants without the use of electricity, making it a game-changer in neonatal care.
Compared to traditional CPAP systems, the Vayu bCPAP system is considerably cheaper, portable, and has components that are reusable after sterilization, making it accessible to hospitals across the country.
Revital Healthcare has already shipped 120 units of the device to Ukraine as a donation to the troubled country in conjunction with UNITAD.
According to World Health Organization statistics, respiratory distress is a leading cause of global child mortality, with nearly 1.1 million neonates dying annually due to preterm birth complications in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
County Health Executive Charles Dadu disclosed that over 1,000 cases of neonatal complications are recorded in the 120 functional delivery rooms annually in Kilifi County, with 40% of these cases resulting in fatalities.
However, with the adoption of the Vayu bCPAP system, the mortality rate is expected to decrease significantly, as evidenced by the 10 babies whose lives were saved after using the device.
Revital Healthcare has partnered with US firm Vayu Global Health Innovations to manufacture the devices locally, with the aim of reducing child mortality in local Kenyan hospitals.
The devices are already in use at several hospitals in Kenya, Tanzania, and over 15 other countries globally, offering a beacon of hope for neonates and infants in need of respiratory support.
