Early Detection of Preeclampsia: A Crucial Step for Healthier Pregnancies
Preeclampsia is a condition that many have heard about, yet only a small fraction truly understand. Despite its significance, only 2% of women in my social circle were aware of it before I initiated my engagement with Intignus Biotech via Villgro.
Intignus Biotech is an enterprise Villgro supports through the Invention Based Enterprise Program with The Lemelson Foundation. They address this concern through their innovation PEscreen® — a preeclampsia screening test.
In May, during Preeclampsia Awareness Month, Intignus undertook several awareness-building activities to educate the public and discuss condition-management with emphasis on early detection with healthcare professionals.
Awareness Campaign at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital
At Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital, Pune I had the opportunity to see the Intignus team in action. Here’s what I witnessed:
- Clear Lack of Awareness: Many pregnant women and their families at the OPD were initially unaware of preeclampsia and its risks. However, once informed through skits performed by doctors themselves and interactions with Intignus Team, their interest piqued, leading them to inquire further with the doctors. Given the severity of preeclampsia, it’s crucial to educate pregnant women and ensure they have access to accurate information.
- Prevention & Management:Â Discussions with gynecologists and obstetricians revealed that most preeclampsia patients seek medical aid too late, resulting in severe health effects and premature births. The overlapping symptoms make early detection challenging but necessary to prevent complications. Timely intervention following early detection can significantly improve outcomes for both mothers and babies.
- Active Innovation Adoption: Doctors’ feedback on PEscreen® was positive and encouraging. They were able to share their technical expertise and patient cases related insights/learnings to help the team with product development and positioning in hospitals Such innovations can empower healthcare professionals to make informed decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Through initiatives like these, Intignus Biotech is creating awareness and facilitating early detection and better management of preeclampsia, ensuring healthier pregnancies for many women.
