Problem being addressed[edit | edit source]
In many low-income countries such as Bangladesh, the majority of deliveries are performed at home by a traditional birth attendant (TBA). These TBAs may or may not be properly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of post-partum hemorrhage (PPH), which is frequently the leading cause of maternal death.
Detailed description of the solution[edit | edit source]
The Quaiyum Blood Mat is an absorbent mat to be placed under a woman during delivery that can absorb up to 500mL of blood. Blood travels across the mat at a constant velocity, allowing the TBA to visually evaluate blood loss. When the mat is saturated at 500mL, it will start to leak, which signals PPH.
Designed by[edit | edit source]
- Designed by: Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Quaiyum, Chairman of the Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology at the University of Dhaka in Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Manufacturer location: The device was developed at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh (ICDDR,B).
Funding Source[edit | edit source]
Dr. Quaiyum is affiliated with the ICDDR,B in Bangladesh and received a grant from the Gates Grand Challenges competition in 2010.
References[edit | edit source]
Peer-reviewed publication[edit | edit source]
Prata, N., Quaiyum, M. A., Passano, P., Bell, S., Bohl, D. D., Hossain, S., Begum, M. et al(2012). Training traditional birth attendants to use misoprostol and an absorbent delivery mat in home births. Social Science & Medicine.
Other internally generated reports[edit | edit source]
Judd, G. (2013). UN secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits icddr,b. Link available here.
VSI. (2011). Scaling up of Misoprostol for Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage in 29 Upazilas of Bangladesh. PDF available here.
Externally generated reports[edit | edit source]
Maternova. (2013, January 11). (Quaiyum) Blood Mat. Link available here.