Evaluating neonatal medical devices in Africa

Globally, 47% of deaths of children younger than 5 years occur within the first 28 days of life, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the greatest burden with the average neonatal mortality rate being 28 deaths per 1000 livebirths. 1 Neonatal death can be prevented by achieving high coverage of high-quality, evidencebased, and timely interventions. To meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing global neonatal mortality to 12 deaths per 1000 livebirths by 2030, accelerated improvements and innovations in neonatal care in Africa, particularly technologies that allow for early detection and intervention for major morbidities, are needed to reduce current and projected neonatal mortality rates. 2 Yet, very few point-of-care devices have been developed and evaluated specifically for the diagnosis and management of at-risk neonates in Africa. Robust literature exists regarding insecticide-treated bed nets for