Mycobacterium tuberculosis genomics: The Next Generation

This thesis represents one small step in the battle with TB, where we apply WGS approaches to explore different topics of TB research. Here we offer the global community a method to diagnose complex TB infections consisting of multiple distinct strains. We show that this functionality is necessary and has been overlooked by the TB community in...

Accelerating the development of UCP-LF CAA strip readers for schistosomiasis diagnosis

This document reports the exploration of the development of a context-specific strip reader for an innovative lateral flow test detecting schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis is a common poverty-related parasitic disease in many Sub-Saharan African countries. Transmission happens in infested water, putting especially children at risk....

Assessment of laparoscopic instrument reprocessing in rural India: a mixed methods study

Background: Laparoscopy is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure that uses long slender instruments that require much smaller incisions than conventional surgery. This leads to faster recovery times, fewer post-surgical wound infections and shorter hospital stays. For these reasons, laparoscopy could be particularly advantageous to patients...

Improving the use of surgical suction pumps in Sierra Leone

In Low-to-Middle-Income Countries more than 95% of the medical equipment are devices donated by NGOs, usually second hand, refurbished devices from High Income Country Hospitals. However, the lack of consumables and spare parts and infrastructural limitations lead to 70% of that equipment not working, or working improperly shortly after being...

The embodiment of low-field MRI for the diagnosis of infant hydrocephalus in Uganda

Compared to other parts of the world, the incidence of hydrocephalus in children is very high in sub- Saharan Africa. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would be the preferred diagnostic method for infant hydrocephaleus. However, in practice, MRI is seldom used in sub-Saharan Africa due to its high prize, low mobility, and...

Target product profiles for devices to diagnose urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is a treatable and preventable neglected tropical disease of Public Health importance affecting over 200 million people worldwide while Nigeria is one of the high burden countries. Currently, available diagnostic tests are cumbersome, low in sensitivity and not field-adaptable given the high skills required that are not available...

The Equipment Journey as a tool to design safe surgical equipment for low-and middle income countries: Electrosurgery used as an example

In low- and middle income countries there is a need for safe and affordable high quality surgical equipment. Nowadays, electrosurgical units are part of the standard equipment in operation theatres worldwide, since electrosurgery comes with many advantages such as reduced blood loss. However, the technology of electrosurgery also carries several...

Empowering the accessibility of safe global electrosurgery: Safe electrosurgery should be available for everyone, everywhere

Msc. Roos Oosting and the Global Health Design Lab initiated development of affordable and high-quality electrical surgery units (ESU) as a step towards improving surgical care. The ESU is used as an operating tool to assist the surgeon for a high variety of essential surgical procedures. The ESU consists of a high frequency generator with an...