KUKUA - Early malnutrition detection for remote areas in Sub-Saharan Africa

Mission

"Effortless is more": improving the measurement system to bring healthcare for all.

The challenge

Malnutrition stands out as a leading factor contributing to numerous illnesses and fatalities in sub-Saharan African countries. In Kenya, approximately 45% of deaths among children under the age of 5 can be attributed to inadequate nutrition during these critical years, which form the bedrock of a person's life. Moreover, healthcare provision is inadequately resourced and heavily reliant on Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in rural areas of Kenya. The lack of proper infrastructure further compounds the challenges faced by CHVs during their visits.

The solution

KUKUA is a growth monitoring device tailored for children aged 0-5 in sub-Saharan Africa, addressing the region's malnutrition-related fatalities. Designed for easy use in challenging conditions, it measures weight, height, and arm circumference using a load beam sensor, measurement tape, and rotary sensor. Data is transmitted via an app for swift diagnoses. KUKUA's blend of analog and digital measurements provides accurate growth data in remote areas, enhancing healthcare and aiding early malnutrition detection. In this way, valuable data can be shared with the Ministry of Health, Kenyan government, and global NGO's (like Red Cross and UNICEF) in order to increase awareness and ask for essential healthcare practices and financial assistance.