openPR Logo
Press release

A new technology for diabetes in Africa

02-01-2012 02:54 AM CET | Health & Medicine

Press release from: HealthWorks Global

EasyBag, a solution for insulin in Africa

EasyBag, a solution for insulin in Africa

Diabetes is growing rapidly in sub-Saharan Africa due to urbanization and an aging population. Although once considered as rare in this region, it is estimated that diabetes will affect over 13 million people in sub-Saharan Africa in 2012 and that 350,000 of these people will die of associated diseases, but that so far only 15% of all diabetes cases in sub-Saharan Africa are diagnosed. By 2030, there will be an estimated 24 million adults with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Treatment, insulin and equipment for diabetes are often lacking in developing countries, and in countries that have them, the costs for these diabetes supplies generally prove unaffordable for patients because access to subsidized healthcare in Africa is often limited or nonexistent.

If insulin is exposed to extreme temperatures, it is easily damaged and loses its effectiveness. The perfect storage temperature for insulin is between 2 and 8°C and when opened, it can be stored for up to three weeks at a temperature not exceeding 25°C.

In a large majority of sub-Saharan countries, less than 20% of the rural population has access to electricity (16.1% in Kenya, 18.8% in Zambia). There is therefore a lack of continuous and accessible refrigeration methods and it is now customary in rural Africa to bury insulin in the ground to try to keep it at a cooler temperature. However, this inadequate method of conservation is very unstable and can quickly damage insulin.

In a study published in 2009*, 131 patients with type-1 diabetes were tested. 59% of these patients were hyper glycemic, showing poor control of diabetes. Of these patients, 56% maintained their insulin at room temperature. Inadequate storage temperature of insulin is a major reason for poor management of diabetes in developing countries.

MedActiv, a company created by diabetics in France, has developed the EasyBag, an isothermal bag that keeps insulin cool without electricity using gel crystals that cool when soaked in water. This new technology is ideal for countries where electricity is not available for diabetics.

To enable the EasyBag, it must simply be immersed in water for 40 seconds. The crystals in the panels of the EasyBag turn into a gel that stays fresh for between five to seven days based on an evaporation process that will keep the insulin at a temperature between 16 and 25°C (up to an ambient temperature 42°C). To "reload" the EasyBag, it must simply be immersed again in water for 40 seconds.

Over 80% of diabetes deaths occur in countries with low and middle income. In the 34 poorest African countries, the cost for a person with diabetes to manage his disease is twice the average wage. An estimated 6% of all deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2010 were probably caused by diabetes.

One of the defining points of healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa is that they focus nearly exclusively on the management of acute infections and thus have difficulty in providing the management and long-term treatment needed by patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Having access to insulin, syringes and testing equipment is vital, but it is not enough for a diabetic in Africa. A healthcare system with trained staff and adequate facilities is also essential. At the moment, healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from a serious shortage of accessible health facilities for the rural population and patients often have to travel long distances, with prohibitive transport costs to get tested and seek treatment.

The MedActiv EasyBag solution will help these patients to have better management of their diabetes, because it allows them to keep their insulin at an acceptable temperature without any electricity. The EasyBag reflects the corporate values of MedActiv, which are to create products that give patients something that is often denied to them: the freedom to take responsibility for their own health.

* Effect of temperature on the potency and Pharmacological action of insulin, Indian J Med Res 130, August 2009, pp 166-169

About MedActiv: MedActiv develops solutions for the storage and transport of thermo sensitive medications. Millions of people worldwide suffer from diseases that make them virtual prisoners of their medications. MedActiv develops solutions that allow them to travel anywhere safe in the knowledge that their medication is kept at the right temperature.

For more information, please contact:
HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59
http://www.medactiv.com

Press Contact:
Name: Uwe DIEGEL
Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com

This release was published on openPR.

Permanent link to this press release:

Copy
Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.

You can edit or delete your press release A new technology for diabetes in Africa here

News-ID: 209060 • Views:

More Releases from HealthWorks Global

A new solution for the safe transport of organs?
A new solution for the safe transport of organs?
The MedActiv Cooling Curve – 36 hours between 2 and 8°C A few years ago, MedActiv started developing solutions for the transport of fragile medications so that people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis or multiple sclerosis could travel with their medication. Two brothers in France started the business after their medication was frozen in a hotel by accident. There are millions of people worldwide who are prisoners of
iCool by MedActiv, for the safe transport of polyarthritis medication
iCool by MedActiv, for the safe transport of polyarthritis medication
The iCool isothermal bags – new freedom for polyarthritis patients A few years ago, MedActiv started developing solutions for the transport of fragile medications so that those suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, polyarthritis or multiple sclerosis could travel with their medication. Two brothers in France started the business after one of their medications was frozen in a hotel by accident. Diseases that make them prisoners of their medication affect
EasyBag - the French miracle that keeps insulin cool for five days without electricity
EasyBag - the French miracle that keeps insulin cool for five days without elect …
MedActiv has again improved the performance of the EasyBag to transport insulin without electricity. The EasyBag uses polymer gel crystals that cool the insulin when placed in contact with water. The EasyBag will now keep insulin cool for a record-breaking 5 days without electricity. How it works: The EasyBag pouch must simply be immersed in water for 40 seconds. The crystals in the panels of the EasyBag then turn into a
The A to Z of traveling with diabetes
The A to Z of traveling with diabetes
Diabetes should not prevent you from taking a long hike or making a trip to an exotic country. If you have diabetes and want to travel, you simply have to carefully plan your trip. There can always be unexpected events (lost luggage, the marooning of your boat on an exotic island), but if you are well prepared, you should be able to overcome these difficulties without any problems. "The real voyage

All 5 Releases


More Releases for Africa

Buildexpo Africa – Largest building and construction exhibition returns to Eas …
Buildexpo Africa is the only show with the widest range of the latest technology in building material, mining machines, construction machinery and heavy equipment. At the latest edition of Buildexpo, East Africa's largest building and construction fair, we bring you exhibitors from over 40 countries who are the finest in infrastructure development. Find what suits you best from about 14.3 million business prospects during the three-day event, with over 10,000 products,
South Africa Agriculture Market, South Africa Agriculture Industry, South Africa …
The South Africa has a market-oriented agricultural economy, which is much diversified and includes the production of all the key grains (except rice), deciduous, oilseeds, and subtropical fruits, sugar, wine, citrus, and most vegetables. Livestock production includes sheep, cattle, dairy, and a well-developed poultry & egg industry. Value-added activities in the agriculture sector include processing & preserving of fruit and vegetables, crushing of oilseeds, chocolate, slaughtering, processing & preserving of
Smart Africa Launches Africa Wide Coordinated Response to the Coronavirus Pandem …
Smart Africa, a bold and innovative commitment from African Heads of State and Government to accelerate sustainable socioeconomic development , has launched a continent-wide technology based coordinated impact response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for Africa. Kigali,Rwanda., April 22, 2020 - Smart Africa has launched a continent-wide technology based coordinated impact response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for Africa. This response is aimed at bringing together the 30 member states under
Wellness Tourism Market 2019 Future Growth with Worldwide Players: Africawellnes …
Wellness Tourism Market 2019 Industry Research Report provides a detailed Global Wellness Tourism Industry overview along with the analysis of industry’s favorable growth opportunities, the advent of flexible packaging is likely to dampen the market’s growth to an extent. Nevertheless, the increasing number of manufacturers, high demand for management applications, growth of residential & commercial sector and superior strength & corrosion resistance property. Get Sample Copy of this Report -https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/904685 Market Overview:
Vizocom Selects iSAT Africa as Its Africa C-band Partner
Vizocom, a leading global provider of satellite services, announced today that it has signed a partnership agreement with iSAT Africa to cooperate in providing satellite services and solutions. Sharjah, UAE, March 02, 2016 -- Vizocom, a leading global provider of satellite services, announced today that it has signed a partnership agreement with iSAT Africa to cooperate in providing satellite services and solutions such as data solutions including C-band VSAT services and
Vizocom Selects iSAT Africa as its Africa C-band Partner
Vizocom, a leading global provider of satellite services, announced today that it has signed a partnership agreement with iSAT Africa to cooperate in providing satellite services and solutions. Sharjah, UAE, February 29, 2016 -- Vizocom, a leading global provider of satellite services, announced today that it has signed a partnership agreement with iSAT Africa to cooperate in providing satellite services and solutions such as data solutions including C-band VSAT services and