The Challenge: Lack of access to critical medical equipment

Malawi, a country of 19 million people and half of whom are under the age of 15, has less than five Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. According to the World Health Organization, 90% of the world’s population does not have access to MRIs. These devices are essential to researching and developing treatments for cerebral malaria, the most severe form of malaria, which remains the leading cause of death in children under five.

The Approach: the power of strategic partnerships

APCO’s client Hyperfine is a breakthrough medical device company that created Swoop^®, the world’s first FDA-cleared Portable MR Imaging System™. This disruptive technology allows clinicians to conduct bedside scans within minutes, improving access to care for the patient, as well as cost and efficiency for hospital staff. APCO supported Hyperfine through large-scale communications campaigns related to strategic media relations and thought leadership initiatives.

APCO also secured a strategic partnership with Madonna’s Raising Malawi Foundation, focused around the shared goal of democratizing access to high quality healthcare for the children of Malawi. This partnership focused on providing MRI equipment to the Mercy James Centre for Pediatric Surgery & Intensive Care, Malawi’s first pediatric intensive care unit.

The Results: improving life-saving care for children in malawi

The Mercy James Centre for Pediatric Surgery & Intensive Care now uses a Swoop system, increasing access to life-saving care for those who need it most. Since it was delivered and quickly put into use, the Swoop system has been used by clinicians and researchers to scan more than 200 children, serving an important role in research as well as pediatric patient diagnoses and treatment.

This partnership helped support Madonna’s Raising Malawi Foundation in expanding critically needed healthcare infrastructure in Malawi, as well as advance Hyperfine’s business and societal impact objectives, raising global awareness of the company’s leadership in innovative medical device technology.