A team of computer engineering students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has created an automated device to improve the safety of blood exchange transfusions in newborns.
The innovation addresses critical challenges in treating severe infant jaundice, a condition that affects thousands of Ghanaian babies annually.
The Automated Neonatal Exchange Transfusion system replaces the traditional manual method that requires medical staff to carefully measure and replace blood volumes by hand. This painstaking process leaves room for human error that can lead to complications. The student-developed device uses microcontroller technology and precision sensors to automate the transfusion process while maintaining strict safety protocols.
Team leader Samuel Kyei Agyemang explained their motivation came from witnessing the difficulties neonatal nurses face during manual procedures. “We designed ANET to reduce the cognitive load on medical staff while ensuring consistent, accurate treatment for vulnerable newborns,” he said. The system’s built-in safety mechanisms automatically pause the procedure if irregularities are detected in blood flow rates or volumes.
Preliminary tests show the device can perform transfusions with greater consistency than manual methods. This could prove particularly valuable in regional hospitals where specialist neonatal care is limited. The World Health Organization reports that severe jaundice causes approximately 114,000 newborn deaths and 178,000 cases of disability worldwide each year, with the highest burden in sub-Saharan Africa.
The KNUST innovation arrives as Ghana’s health system works to reduce its neonatal mortality rate, which stands at 25 deaths per 1,000 live births according to recent UNICEF data. Medical professionals have welcomed the development while emphasizing the need for rigorous clinical testing.
Such student innovations reflect a growing trend of African engineering solutions addressing local healthcare challenges. The ANET team is currently refining the prototype for hospital trials and seeking partnerships for potential production. Their work demonstrates how technology can bridge critical gaps in medical care, particularly in resource-constrained settings where specialized expertise may be scarce.
As the device moves toward clinical implementation, its success will depend on both technical performance and practical considerations like cost, maintenance, and ease of use for frontline health workers. The development also highlights the potential for academic institutions to contribute meaningful solutions to national health priorities through applied engineering projects.
