V-Scan Access
Ultrasound designed for primary health workers in developing nations to help assess pregnancy risks
Maternal and newborn health remains one of our most pressing priorities. Despite advances, many countries need significant investment and cross-sector collaboration to help reduce pregnancy-related mortality. GE’s latest innovation is an ultrasound device designed for primary health workers to assess pregnancy risks early, and help expand the reach of quality care to mothers who need it most. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that “70% of medical equipment coming from the most developed nations does not work in developing world facilities.” To avoid these pitfalls, GE sought to re-think ultrasound from the ground-up. An global team of engineers, designers and health experts, guided by a Human-Centred Design process worked over 3 years to make VScan Access: SIMPLE for primary health workers to learn and use effectively DURABLE to last for years in tough* environments INNOVATIVE to integrate mHealth solutions AFFORDABLE to enable national scale-up