According to the Mumbai Mirror, a newspaper based in India, a new diagnostic test for anemia has been developed. The new diagnostic test, developed by Dr. Myshkin Ingawale, can test a patient’s oxygen saturation, pulse, temperature and blood hemoglobin through the use of a photo-plethysmograph.

According to Dr. Myshkin, the new device does not use needles or other disposable medical products. Because of this, the device’s operating cost is very low. In rural areas where blood sampling equipment isn’t available, the new test represents a safe, affordable alternative.

Traditional general blood tests in India cost 40 to 400 Rs. With the new device, the cost of an anemia blood test will drop to 10 Rs.

According to its inventor, the device will prove very useful for pregnant women in rural areas. The Mumbai Mirror states that an estimated 40 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in India are caused by anemia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines anemia as a hemoglobin level of less than 11 grams per deciliter of blood. If a pregnant woman’s hemoglobin levels drop below nine grams per deciliter, she could risk hemorrhage.

Nutrition and genetics can both impact an individual’s risk of anemia. However, anemia is particularly common among low-income groups. In addition, groups in South-East Asia have a higher risk of anemia than people from other parts of the world.

References

www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/2013020420130204113036782b29a679f/Thane-e...