Fighting Infant Mortality in Developing Countries – The Borgen Project

Report on Infant Mortality and Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goal 3

Current Status of Global Neonatal Health and SDG Target 3.2

Global efforts to reduce infant mortality, a key component of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), face significant challenges. Complications from premature birth remain a primary cause of neonatal deaths. Achieving SDG Target 3.2, which aims to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five, is at risk.

• In 2021, over one-third of the 2.3 million newborn deaths resulted from preterm birth complications.
• Infections and diseases linked to inadequate sanitation and a lack of quality care contribute significantly to mortality rates, undermining progress on SDG 3 and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that, without accelerated action, 64 countries will not meet the SDG target for eliminating preventable infant mortality by 2030.

Disparities in Healthcare Access and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

A stark disparity in newborn survival rates exists between high and low-income countries, highlighting a critical challenge for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The geographic concentration of infant mortality underscores this inequality.

• Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia accounted for over 80% of deaths in children under five in 2022.
• The survival rate for infants born before 28 weeks is below 10% in developing nations, compared to over 90% in developed regions.
• This gap is largely driven by a lack of access to essential medical technology, which is a barrier to achieving SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) in healthcare settings. High costs, poor infrastructure, and a shortage of trained personnel prevent the implementation of life-saving care.

Innovative Solutions for Accelerating SDG Progress

Case Study: The IncuNest Low-Cost Incubator

Medical Open World has developed IncuNest, a low-cost medical incubator designed to address the resource gap and accelerate progress toward the SDGs. This innovation directly targets the technological and economic barriers prevalent in low-income countries.

1. Economic Accessibility (SDG 1: No Poverty): Priced at €350 per unit, compared to the $1,500 to $35,000 cost of traditional incubators, IncuNest makes essential neonatal care financially accessible for resource-limited hospitals.
2. Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy & SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The incubator is lightweight, portable, and requires a maximum of only 130 watts. It can operate on unconventional power sources like car batteries, making it suitable for regions with unreliable electricity and minimal infrastructure.
3. Open-Source Technology and Local Empowerment (SDG 9 & SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals): IncuNest is an open-source technology. Its blueprints are publicly available, enabling local construction and maintenance. This model promotes knowledge sharing, builds local capacity, and fosters partnerships for sustainable development.

Impact and Contribution to the 2030 Agenda

The IncuNest project provides a tangible solution that advances multiple Sustainable Development Goals. By decentralizing medical technology, it empowers communities to provide life-saving care independently. To date, IncuNest operates in over 200 locations and has saved an estimated 4,000 infants.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Directly reduces preventable neonatal deaths by providing a sanitary, temperature-controlled environment for vulnerable infants.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Narrows the healthcare technology gap between developed and developing nations, ensuring more equitable access to care.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Offers a blueprint for developing resilient, accessible, and affordable medical infrastructure in low-resource settings.

Conclusion and Outlook

Innovations like IncuNest are critical for bridging the global healthcare divide and achieving the 2030 Agenda. While systemic changes are required, the development and distribution of accessible, effective, and sustainable technologies represent a vital step toward ensuring health equity. This approach provides a scalable model for addressing infant mortality and advancing global development goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article’s primary focus is on infant and newborn mortality in developing countries, which is a core component of global health and well-being. It discusses the causes of these deaths, such as premature birth complications and infections, and highlights the urgent need for better healthcare to prevent them.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The article extensively discusses the role of medical technology and innovation in addressing infant mortality. It highlights the problem of inaccessibility to expensive medical equipment in developing countries due to inadequate infrastructure and high costs. The solution presented, IncuNest, is a low-cost, energy-efficient, and open-source incubator, which directly relates to fostering innovation and building resilient infrastructure.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • A central theme of the article is the stark disparity in infant survival rates between high-income and low-income countries. It points out that Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia account for the vast majority of child deaths and that a premature infant’s chance of survival is dramatically lower in a developing nation (10%) compared to a developed one (90%). The IncuNest project is presented as a way to bridge this healthcare gap and reduce this inequality.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.2: “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.” The article directly references this goal by stating, “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 64 countries will be unable to meet the SDG goal for eliminating preventable infant mortality by 2030 without quick action.” The entire discussion revolves around preventing the “2.3 million newborn deaths” that occurred in 2021.
2. Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries…” The development of IncuNest as a low-cost, effective medical technology is a direct example of upgrading technological capabilities to solve a critical problem in developing nations.
   • Target 9.b: “Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries…” The article emphasizes that IncuNest is an “open source technology, meaning that their blueprints are fully accessible… allowing anyone to construct their own incubators locally.” This approach directly supports domestic technology development and local adoption.
3. Under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” While not explicitly mentioned, the effort to provide equal survival chances to newborns regardless of their place of birth aligns with the principle of this target. The article’s focus on bridging the gap in healthcare access between high and low-income nations directly addresses inequality in health outcomes based on economic status and origin.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG Target 3.2
   • Neonatal Mortality Rate: The article provides the statistic of “2.3 million newborn deaths in 2021.” Tracking this number over time is a direct indicator.
   • Under-5 Mortality Rate: The article mentions that Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia “accounted for more than 80% of deaths in children under 5 in 2022.” This regional data serves as an indicator.
   • Survival Rate of Premature Infants: The article provides a stark comparative indicator: a “10% survival rate in developing nations, compared to a rate of more than 90% in parts of the developed world” for infants born before 28 weeks.
2. For SDG Target 9.5 and 9.b
   • Cost of Technology: The article contrasts the cost of high-tech incubators (“$1,500 to $35,000”) with the IncuNest unit (“€350 per unit”), indicating progress in making technology affordable.
   • Adoption of New Technology: The article states that “IncuNest operates in more than 200 locations,” which measures the distribution and adoption of the innovation.
   • Impact of Innovation: The claim that the technology has “saved the lives of 4,000 infants” is a direct indicator of its effectiveness and contribution to the health goal.
   • Accessibility of Technology: The open-source nature of IncuNest, with “blueprints are fully accessible,” is an indicator of technology transfer and local empowerment.
3. For SDG Target 10.2
   • Disparity in Health Outcomes: The difference in survival rates for premature infants (10% vs. 90%) between low and high-income countries is a primary indicator of health inequality. Reducing this gap would indicate progress.
   • Geographic Concentration of Mortality: The statistic that “more than 80% of deaths in children under 5 in 2022” occurred in just two regions is an indicator of geographic inequality. A more even distribution would signify progress.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: borgenproject.org