Project HOPE Enters Strategic Partnership with Guardit Technologies to Combat Childhood Pneumonia in Developing World
Millwood, VA (December 17, 2009) — Project HOPE and Guardit Technologies will partner for the Delivering the Breath of Life pilot project in the Aceh Barat District of Indonesia. The project will use sensors developed by Guardit, to help detect the onset of pneumonia by monitoring the respiratory patterns of children under five.
Today, pneumonia is the leading killer of infants and young children worldwide, claiming more lives than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined. Project HOPE and Guardit Technologies will collaborate to test a “Pneumonia Kit” that will monitor respiratory rates of children and alert parents and doctors via telecommunication when rates become abnormal. Once doctors are notified, they can diagnose the child and take action toward treatment.
Guardit CEO, Michael Script said, “Guardit is excited about the opportunity to work with Project HOPE in adapting and testing our new technology to address one of the world’s most critical public health issues.”
Project HOPE’s history in Indonesia began in 1960 when the SS HOPE, the world’s first peace-time hospital ship, visited Indonesia providing free medical care. Since 1986, HOPE has collaborated with universities and the Indonesian Ministry of Health and Welfare to provide medical training and health education to midwives, nurses, physicians, as well as developed a biomedical engineering program.
Project HOPE currently works with local organizations in the Aceh Barat District of Indonesia to reduce infant and child morbidity and mortality by improving infant and child nutrition practices, as well as maternal health. According to a survey conducted by UNICEF in 2006, malnutrition among children under five remains high in Aceh Barat District (6.5% of children were classified as wasted, 32.6% were classified as underweight and 25.1% were classified as stunted), which can be attributed, in part, to a high disease burden.
About Project HOPE
Founded in 1958, Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) is dedicated to providing lasting solutions to health problems with the mission of helping people to help themselves. Identifiable to many by the SS HOPE, the world’s first peacetime hospital ship, Project HOPE now provides medical training and health education, as well as conducts humanitarian assistance programs in more than 35 countries. For more information, please visit www.projecthope.org
About Guardit Technologies
Guardit Technologies provides Personal Notification Services and Smart Object Sensing for awareness, protection, safety and security of assets. Guardit’s goal is to provide technology-based, real world solutions for a better, safer world. For more information, please visit www.guardit.com.