Tanzania - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

This device is designed to extract and concentrate oxygen from the air, making it suitable for breathing. It operates continuously, filling an airbag for the patient to breathe from without the need for expensive oxygen refills.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

This innovative device is purposely designed to effectively and efficiently extract and purify oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere, ensuring that the processed oxygen is completely safe for inhalation. The device operates continuously, continuously storing the purified oxygen in an airbag for the patient's use. It offers extended respiratory support without the need for frequent and expensive oxygen refills and can be powered using a standard electrical power source. The system is regulated using a user-friendly display that is managed by specialized software. A network of carefully calibrated sensors is used to precisely monitor and maintain product quality and to ensure the proper functioning of the device.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

In recent years, the world has been faced with a global health crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the importance of adequate resources to deal with infectious diseases. Respiratory illnesses continue to be a significant concern, with many patients requiring ventilator support. However, healthcare facilities are grappling with a shortage of ventilators, and the high cost of oxygen refill cylinders has made them unattainable for many patients due to financial constraints. This project is dedicated to enhancing access to medical services by developing a low-cost ventilator that serves as a viable alternative to expensive oxygen refill cylinders, which are out of reach for a large portion of the low-income population. The goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, has access to life-saving medical equipment to address respiratory ailments.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

1. Improving access to medical services by providing a low-cost ventilator that replaces expensive oxygen refilling cylinders, unaffordable for the majority of low-income populace. 2. It provides a user friendly interface that doesn’t require an expert to supervision 3. The device is portable and gives user ability to easily change positions as long as there is access to power 4. This device uses simple way to produce oxygen with inexpensive raw materials which extracts oxygen from the ambient air thereby reducing production cost.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The beneficiaries of low-cost oxygen ventilators are primarily individuals in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) and newly emerging economies (NEEs). These ventilators are designed to be both simpler and cheaper to make than currently available models, making them accessible to parts of the world that have historically had minimal access to such critical care equipment¹. Patients in intensive care units (ICU) who are seriously ill with respiratory diseases like COVID-19, flu, and tuberculosis can greatly benefit from these ventilators¹. The design of these ventilators, which was initially developed for the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to address the global shortage of mechanical ventilators for other respiratory diseases as well. Furthermore, low-cost ventilators can deliver both non-invasive and invasive respiratory support in modes that include CPAP, continuous delivery of oxygen via nasal cannula, bi-level ventilation, and mechanical ventilation, which are essential for a variety.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-11-11

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

My partner is a professional chemist who practices chemical laboratory analysis at a government institution, which serves as the country's referral chemistry laboratory. He is also a registered chemical inspector who works in the field of chemical inspection for the government. His experience relies on chemical laboratory analysis, industrial chemistry, production, chemical storage quality, assurance, and quality control. He is proficient in both Swahili and English. He possesses various skills such as computer skills, time management, entrepreneurship, project management, and research proposal development. He is currently a government employee and has played a significant role in the development of our project. As part of the project involves using chemicals to extract oxygen from the ambient air, he has been involved in curating all the chemical processes taking place in the instrument.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://www.instagram.com/emmyally35?igsh=MXEwZjQ1d3h6Zjhoeg==

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

f) Healthcare (healthcare equipment and services)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

1. Health Equity: Affordable medical devices help bridge the gap in health equity by making essential medical care accessible to the poor, who are often the most affected by health crises. 2. Reducing Financial Burden: The availability of low-cost medical devices reduces the financial burden on families and individuals, preventing them from falling into poverty due to exorbitant healthcare costs. 3. Improving Health Outcomes: By providing critical care during emergencies, affordable medical devices improve patient survival rates and health outcomes, which is particularly important for low-income populations who have limited access to such technologies. 4. Economic Stability: When people are healthy, they can work and contribute to the economy. Access to affordable medical devices ensures that individuals can return to work quickly after illnesses, maintaining economic stability for themselves and their families.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

1.Reducing Financial Burden: The availability of affordable medical equipment alleviates financial strain on families and individuals, shielding them from food insecurity caused by overwhelming healthcare expenses. 2.Economic stability: When individuals are in good health, they can actively participate in the workforce and make valuable contributions to the economy. Access to affordable medical devices is essential as it enables people to recover quickly from illnesses and return to work, thus helping to maintain economic stability for themselves and their families, and reducing the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity. 3. Long-Term development: Affordable medical devices improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, contributing to the long-term development goals of an individual and country, including hunger-fighting.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

1. Oxygen ventilators are crucial for treating respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, COPD, and COVID-19, saving lives 2. Affordable medical devices help health systems provide better care without draining funds from essential services 3. Affordable ventilators promote health equity, ensuring all patients have access to necessary care 4. Affordable ventilators reduce mortality rates for respiratory illnesses, improving community health 5. Affordable ventilators enable a more effective response to health crises, potentially saving thousands of lives. 6. Affordable ventilators make home care possible for long-term respiratory conditions, improving patients' quality of life 7. The need for affordable medical devices encourages innovation, leading to the development of new technologies 8. Affordable medical devices contribute to a stronger economy by improving population health and productivity 9. Sustainable production and use of medical devices can contribute to a healthier environment.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

1. Improving Student Health: Access to medical devices helps students with respiratory conditions manage their health, attend school regularly, and achieve better educational outcomes. 2. Supporting Special Needs Education: Affordable ventilators enable schools to effectively support students with chronic respiratory conditions, ensuring they receive a quality education. 3. Educational Continuity: Access to affordable ventilators helps students with medical conditions keep up with their peers, preventing them from falling behind in school due to frequent hospitalization. 4. Reducing Absenteeism: Medical device access decreases the likelihood of students missing school due to illness, supporting the continuity of their education. 5. Enabling Parental Support: Affordable medical devices allow parents to care for their child with medical needs without sacrificing employment, ensuring support for their family and their child's education.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

1. Improved Healthcare Access: Affordable ventilators ensure women in underserved areas receive critical respiratory care during childbirth complications and other health emergencies. 2. Economic Empowerment: Women benefit from job opportunities in engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, and supply chain roles, enhancing their economic participation. 3. Educational Opportunities: Training initiatives support women's advancement in technical and medical fields, fostering skill development and representation in STEM careers. 4. Health Equity: Accessible ventilators help mitigate healthcare disparities, ensuring women have equal access to life-saving technologies. 5. Community Leadership: Women in leadership roles drive advocacy for gender equality in healthcare and employment sectors within their communities. 6. Policy Influence: Successful projects influence policies that promote gender equality in healthcare, fostering societal change.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

1. Energy Efficiency: Efficient designs minimize operational costs, enhancing sustainability in resource-limited settings. 2. Renewable Energy Integration: Low power requirements enable integration with solar and other renewables, vital for off-grid areas. 3. Reduced Healthcare Facility Energy Use: Lower energy consumption frees resources for critical healthcare needs. 4. Sustainable Design Innovation: Promotes eco-friendly manufacturing practices across industries. 5. Technological Knowledge Sharing: Advances benefit diverse sectors beyond healthcare. 6. Green Economy Growth: Local production supports jobs aligned with sustainability goals. 7. Community Health Resilience: Provides reliable healthcare infrastructure independent of fossil fuels. 8. Policy Influence: Demonstrates benefits, driving support for clean energy initiatives in healthcare and broader sectors.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

1. Job Creation and Skill Development: Manufacturing and maintaining ventilators can create jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors, boosting specialized skills and knowledge. 2. Accessibility and Health Improvements: Affordable ventilators can improve respiratory care, leading to better health outcomes and increased economic productivity. 3. Local Manufacturing and Supply Chains: Local production of ventilators can stimulate economic growth by creating demand for raw materials, components, and services, supporting local businesses. 4. Cost Savings and Reinvestment: Affordable ventilators can lower healthcare costs, allowing funds to be reallocated to critical areas, fostering broader economic growth. 5. Innovation and Competitive Advantage: Developing low-cost ventilator systems can position a country or company as a medical technology innovator, opening new markets for increased revenue and economic growth.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

1. Stimulating Technological Innovation: Low-cost ventilators drive research and innovation in medical technology, leading to advancements in design, efficiency, and functionality. 2. Enhancing Manufacturing Capabilities: Producing these ventilators requires precision manufacturing and integration of technologies, leading to development of new manufacturing techniques and processes applicable to other industries. 3. Strengthening Supply Chains: Establishing a production and distribution network for low-cost ventilators can enhance supply chain resilience, encouraging the development of local suppliers and reducing dependency on international suppliers during global disruptions. 4. Infrastructure Development: Facilities for ventilator production, testing, and maintenance can lead to investments in infrastructure, including manufacturing plants, quality control labs, and distribution centers. 5. Fostering Collaboration

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

1. Improved Healthcare Access: Making oxygen systems more affordable allows underserved communities to access essential medical care. 2. Affordability and Accessibility: Lower costs make these life-saving devices accessible to a broader range of healthcare facilities, including those in rural or economically disadvantaged areas. 3. Health Equity: Affordable oxygen systems help bridge the gap between different socio-economic groups in terms of health outcomes. 4. Economic Empowerment: Healthier populations can contribute more economically. Better access to oxygen therapy reduces work absences and prolonged illnesses. 5. Support for Vulnerable Populations: Children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses benefit significantly from improved access to oxygen therapy. 6. Community and Healthcare System Strengthening: Affordable medical technologies can strengthen local healthcare systems, making them more resilient and improving comprihensive care.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

1. Enhanced Healthcare Accessibility: By providing affordable ventilators, cities and communities can ensure that more residents have access to critical healthcare services, promoting public health and well-being. 2. Strengthening Public Health Systems: Investing in affordable medical technology like ventilators bolsters local healthcare infrastructure, making the community more resilient to crises and contributing to the overall sustainability of communities. 3. Economic Resilience: Local production and maintenance of low-cost ventilators can create jobs and stimulate economic activity, contributing to economic stability and growth, crucial for sustainable urban and community development. 4. Environmental Benefits: Developing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly ventilator systems can reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare facilities, supporting environmental sustainability 5.Local innovation and capacity building in the communities

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

A low-cost oxygen ventilator system project contributes to responsible consumption and production by promoting the efficient use of resources and sustainable manufacturing practices. By designing ventilators that require fewer materials and consume less energy, the project minimizes environmental impact. Local production reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and supports local economies. The project also encourages the recycling and reuse of components, reducing waste. These practices align with Sustainable Development Goal 12, fostering a culture of sustainability and responsible resource management in healthcare technology.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

1. Energy Efficiency: Efficient ventilator designs lower energy consumption in healthcare facilities, reducing their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Renewable Energy Integration: Ventilators designed to operate on solar or wind power promote clean energy adoption, especially in off-grid areas, advancing sustainable healthcare solutions. 3. Sustainable Manufacturing: Using eco-friendly materials and practices minimizes environmental impact during ventilator production, supporting climate goals through reduced waste and energy use. 4. Resilience to Climate Change: Affordable ventilators enhance healthcare system resilience to climate-related disasters by ensuring critical medical equipment availability during emergencies, mitigating health impacts effectively.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

6

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

A low-cost oxygen ventilator system project contributes to the Life Below Water goal in several key ways: 1. Healthcare Access Impact: By enhancing access to healthcare through ventilators, pressure on marine ecosystems is reduced. This helps prevent harmful practices like overfishing that threaten marine habitats. 2. Sustainable Resource Management: Efficient ventilator designs that conserve energy and water indirectly support marine resource conservation by reducing the environmental footprint associated with resource extraction and production. 3. Climate Resilience: Strengthening healthcare systems with essential equipment such as ventilators enhances community resilience to climate change impacts. This resilience mitigates disturbances that could otherwise harm marine ecosystems .

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

1. Ecosystem Preservation: Enhances biodiversity by improving healthcare, reducing mortality, and lessening natural resource strain. 2. Sustainable Resource Management: Energy-efficient designs and sustainable practices lower environmental impact and land degradation. 3. Climate Resilience: Equipping healthcare systems with ventilators bolsters community resilience against climate change, protecting ecosystems. 4. Biodiversity Conservation: Better human health indirectly aids terrestrial biodiversity, ensuring ecosystems support diverse life forms. 5. Advocacy and Awareness: Sustainable healthcare initiatives increase awareness of land conservation and advocate for protective policies. 6. Community Engagement: Local involvement in healthcare fosters ecosystem stewardship and sustainable land management. 7. **Education and Research**: Promotes understanding of human-ecosystem health interplay, informing conservation strategies.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

6

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

1. Improving Public Health: Access to affordable ventilators reduces mortality rates and improves public health, fostering social stability and reducing public health crises that can strain institutions. 2. Supporting Healthcare Infrastructure: Strengthening healthcare systems with essential medical equipment promotes stability and resilience, supporting strong institutions capable of responding to health emergencies. 3. Promoting Access to Justice: Improved healthcare access ensures equitable treatment for all, promoting social justice and reducing inequalities in health outcomes. 4. Economic Stability: By creating jobs and supporting local economies through production and distribution, the project contributes to economic stability, reducing socio-economic inequalities that can lead to instability. 5. Policy and Governance: Successful implementation can influence healthcare policies, promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

1. Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Involves collaboration between governments, healthcare providers, NGOs, and private sector companies to develop, produce, and distribute ventilators, fostering partnerships and sharing expertise. 2. Knowledge Sharing: Encourages sharing of technical knowledge and best practices in medical device development and manufacturing, advancing global health capabilities. 3. Capacity Building: Supports capacity building in healthcare systems, particularly in low-resource settings, through training programs and knowledge transfer, strengthening local capabilities. 4. Resource Mobilization: Mobilizes resources from various stakeholders to fund research, development, and deployment of low-cost ventilator systems, ensuring sustainability and scalability. 5. Global Health Initiatives: 6.Policy advocacy.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

3

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

6

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

The low-cost oxygen ventilator system project drives innovation by encouraging the development of affordable, energy-efficient medical devices. This innovation includes creating ventilators with low energy consumption and sustainable materials, reducing costs and environmental impact. The project fosters collaboration among engineers, healthcare professionals, and researchers, leading to advancements in medical technology and manufacturing processes. By addressing the needs of underserved communities, the project stimulates creative solutions to global health challenges. It also supports the local production and maintenance of ventilators, building technical expertise and capacity. These innovations not only improve healthcare access and outcomes but also contribute to broader technological and economic advancements, demonstrating the potential for scalable, sustainable healthcare solutions.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

The main competitors of the low-cost oxygen ventilator system project include established medical device manufacturers like Philips, Medtronic, and GE Healthcare, which produce high-end ventilators. What makes this project stand out is its focus on affordability and accessibility. By designing cost-effective, energy-efficient ventilators, it addresses the needs of underserved and low-income communities that traditional manufacturers often overlook. Additionally, the project emphasizes local production and sustainable practices, reducing transportation emissions and supporting local economies. Its innovative approach to creating reliable, easy-to-maintain devices ensures that even remote healthcare facilities can provide critical respiratory care. These factors collectively distinguish the project, making it a viable and impactful solution for improving global health equity and sustainability.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

1. Mentorship Programs: Connect aspiring female entrepreneurs with experienced mentors for guidance and support. 2. Networking Events: Host events that facilitate networking and collaboration among female entrepreneurs and potential investors or partners. 3. Raise Awareness: Launch campaigns to highlight the successes of female entrepreneurs, inspiring others and changing perceptions. 4. Access to Resources: Advocate for and help secure funding, grants, and resources specifically aimed at supporting women-led businesses. 5. Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses, educational institutions, and government bodies to create supportive ecosystems for female entrepreneurs. 6. Advocacy: Promote policies and initiatives that remove barriers and provide equal opportunities for women in business.