CRADLE project wins the 2017 Newton prize

It was announced today in Delhi that the CRADLE project led by Professor Andrew Shennan from the Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences has won the prestigious Newton Prize.

The Newton Prize recognises excellent research and innovation in support of economic development and social welfare in Newton Fund partner countries. Each year, from 2017 until 2021, a minimum of five Newton funded projects, fellowships or other awards will be awarded the Newton Prize. Each Prize will be worth up to £200,000, and must be used to advance or develop existing Newton funded work.

The CRADLE team aim to improve global women’s health. They are passionate about simple, effective solutions to improve maternal care and reduce maternal deaths. To do this, they are creating the world’s first medical device to detect shock and high blood pressure in pregnant women that is suitable for use in under resourced environments.

“The Microlife VSA will prevent deaths by detecting the signs early. We’re confident that by using the device, we can cut maternal mortality by at least 25%.” Professor Andrew Shennan said.

The hand-held device measures blood pressure and pulse to calculate the impending risk of shock. It is designed for use in developing countries, where 99% of all worldwide maternal deaths occur.

Professor Andrew Shennan and each member of the CRADLE team has worked in maternity care in both low-income and high-income countries, and has witnessed the staggering injustice in the diversity of clinical outcomes that occurs around the world. This was the driving force behind the CRADLE project.

The Newton Prize is an annual £1 million fund and aims to incentivise researchers and innovators to participate in the Newton Fund and work on the most important challenges facing Newton countries. The Newton Prize was developed to demonstrate how UK partnerships with Newton countries are solving global challenges.