Developed by Ugandan product and systems engineer Nura Izath, this bracelet-like device uses medical-grade sensors to track key health indicators and wirelessly transmit the data to the cloud. After processing, the data is sent to a display screen that presents the information for multiple newborns at once.
Nura’s story
Born in Soroti, Uganda, Nura was raised by her mother after the tragic loss of her father, a Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) lieutenant who passed away in the line of duty. Growing up in Soroti, she developed a deep sense of resilience and a passion for creating solutions that improve lives. With a BSc in Computer Engineering and an MSc in Information Systems from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), she is dedicated to leveraging technology to address neonatal and maternal healthcare challenges in Africa.
Her inspiration for Autothermo, a medical device that continuously monitors newborn vital signs, came from a personal experience caring for her one-day-old nephew. Struggling to monitor him while managing household chores, she recognized the need for a reliable, real-time monitoring solution that gives caregivers peace of mind. This experience ignited her mission to develop life-saving innovations for resource-constrained settings.
My journey with Autothermo was inspired by a deeply personal experience with my one-day-old nephew. While his mother attended an exam, I found myself juggling the responsibility of closely monitoring him alongside other household chores. This experience triggered the urgent need for a reliable and continuous newborn monitoring solution.
The innovation
Autothermo is designed to monitor and improve newborn health outcomes, providing real-time tracking for neonatal care providers in hospitals and clinics, as well as parents and caregivers. The device helps detect early signs of health issues, such as cold, fever, or respiratory distress, ensuring timely intervention.
Worn on the upper arm near the axilla, the bracelet-like device is powered by a rechargeable battery and equipped with medical-grade sensors that continuously monitor temperature, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. It features RGB LEDs that provide easy-to-interpret, color-coded visual alerts, while a Wi-Fi module transmits real-time data to a central display screen. This screen allows healthcare providers to remotely monitor multiple newborns simultaneously using an intuitive emoji-based alert system.
Built with recyclable materials and ISO 10993-compliant medical-grade silicone, the bracelet ensures safety and comfort, preventing skin irritation.
Looking ahead, Nura plans to complete ISO certification, launch Autothermo in Uganda, and expand across Africa. Within three years, the goal is to scale regionally and explore global partnerships to bring this life-saving innovation to developing countries worldwide.
Making a difference
Each year, over 17 million newborns worldwide develop hypothermia, with 85% of cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, it remains a leading cause of newborn admissions, worsened by staff shortages, high patient-to-nurse ratios, and a lack of continuous monitoring tools. Many healthcare facilities still rely on traditional thermometers and manual checks, which provide only intermittent data, delaying timely intervention.
Pending clinical validation, Autothermo will help healthcare workers track newborns more efficiently. With 70 newborns for every four healthcare workers in many facilities, the device reduces workload, optimizes hospital resources, and will offer parents greater peace of mind.
