Hypertension, often dubbed the “silent killer,” affects 1.3 billion people worldwide and is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and chronic kidney diseases. According to the WHO’s 2023 Global Hypertension Report, 78% of adults with hypertension live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to reliable blood pressure monitoring can be scarce. In this context, Biospectal OptiBP stands out as a frugal innovation that could improve hypertension management in these regions.
Biospectal OptiBP is a smartphone application that transforms a regular smartphone into an accurate, easy-to-use blood pressure monitor. The app uses the phone’s camera to measure blood flow at the fingertip through a technique called photoplethysmography. The blood pressure is then estimated using an advanced algorithm. The initial setup requires calibration with a standard sphygmomanometer, which means a healthcare practitioner must be involved at the start. However, once calibrated, the app allows patients to monitor their blood pressure independently, without the need for expensive or bulky equipment.
This innovative tool is particularly well-suited for LMICs, aligning perfectly with the principles of frugal innovation: cost-effective and simple to use. It runs on a smartphone, making it highly accessible in low-resource settings. The app’s durability and ease of maintenance depend on the smartphone used, but the technology itself is independent of environmental factors, making it versatile across different settings.
Biospectal OptiBP has been extensively tested across various populations and settings, including LMICs, with promising results. It is currently available in countries like Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, and Bangladesh. By enabling widespread access to blood pressure monitoring, Biospectal OptiBP has the potential to significantly improve hypertension control in low-resource settings, addressing a critical need in global health.
Learn more about Biospectal OptiBP https://biospectal.com/
