About the grantee

Bertha Oketch and her team are piloting the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with the neoGuard™ vitals monitoring device, developed by Neopenda, in two Kenyan hospitals — Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and Bungoma County Referral Hospital. The device, which continuously monitors newborns’ vital signs (temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation), will be enhanced with AI capabilities to support predictive analytics for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) equipment needs. This project aims to develop and assess the AI-enhanced system by creating predictive models, comparing AI-generated recommendations with clinician decisions and national protocols, and gathering user feedback. The goal is to improve RDS equipment planning and inform policy on the integration of AI in neonatal care.