Butterfly Network has announced the completion of the first phase of its deployment and training program in Kenya.
Butterfly made the announcement in a press release on Thursday, 22nd December, that the first stage of its program was finished.
According to the firm, the completion of phase one is “an important milestone” in boosting accessibility to crucial healthcare services.
The Senior Director of global health at Butterfly Network, Dr Sachita Shah, expressed concern over the rate of maternal mortality in Africa and expressed delight at experiencing the inclusion of advanced technology to improve healthcare services.
In Dr. shah’s words: “Maternal mortality from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications still occur at exceedingly high rates in Sub-Saharan Africa due to limited access to standard resources for maternal-foetal care.
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“Witnessing such interest and fast adoption of our advanced digital device in these clinics has been inspirational. Together with our local university partners and the Global Ultrasound Institute, we have empowered mid-level practitioners with the technology, skills and clinical integration knowledge to save lives.”
Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Business Development Officer, Butterfly Network Darius Shahida explained that “the vast majority of the world’s population lacks access to medical imaging equipment and training, a gap that limits what’s possible when it comes to assessing the health and risk of a patient and a community at large. With Butterfly, we are changing that.”
Shahida added that “Our work here in Kenya represents the beginning of what’s possible in terms of providing practitioners with the tools, training, and confidence to transform care with ultrasound information. Obstetricians in high-income countries use ultrasound every day and so we’re honored to empower midwives across Africa with the same ability – one we know will meaningfully enhance care for pregnant women and their unborn infants.”
Recall that A $5 million award was announced in March by Butterfly Network to enhance maternal and foetal health in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave the grant.
The money was used to purchase the Butterfly iQ+ handheld, whole-body point-of-care ultrasound probe for the neighbourhood’s 1,000 medical professionals. In September, Butterfly declared that it had given 500 Butterfly iQ+ devices to Kenyan medical professionals.
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On his part, Prof. Waceke Wanjohi, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University, expressed delight in being a partner to facilitate the great feat. “Kenyatta University is honoured to partner with Global Ultrasound Institute and Butterfly Network on this momentous occasion. Maternal and fetal care in Kenya today is stronger because of companies like Butterfly, Global Ultrasound Institute and friends like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.”
“Hundreds of practitioners equipped with Butterfly devices and training will now be able to help bring improved care for mothers and their children in our communities.”
About The Butterfly Network Program In Kenya
Butterfly Network highlighted how it was able to accelerate the launch of new maternal and foetal health materials. The network explained that it was made possible through Butterfly iQ+’s mobile application. The efforts come as part of its plans to enable long-term, scalable impact under the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant.
All distributed Butterfly devices and tablets came pre-loaded with educational material. This aimed to provide continued learning and advanced content at no cost.
The company has scheduled the first half of 2023 for the unveiling of the second phase of its deployment under the same grant. It plans to provide another 500 Butterfly iQ+ devices to healthcare practitioners in South Africa.
Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Business Development Officer Butterfly Network, Darius Shahida, said the company is committed to providing user-friendly ultrasound technology that would ease healthcare services.
Shahida said: “At Butterfly, we are on a mission to transform care through easy-to-use, portable and versatile ultrasound technology to benefit all patients worldwide. We see our work in the area of maternal and foetal health as fundamental to our continued impact toward better clinical assessment overall.”
“We are proud of and confident in our work in Kenya, which will serve as a prototype that can be leveraged and optimised to continue improving access to imaging in other limited resource settings.”