Bangalore: Specialist doctors favour low-cost devices to reduce maternal mortality and ensure better healthcare for women in India.

"By using low-cost devices, quality healthcare can be provided to reduce the maternal mortality ratio in our country, where divergent people live in remote and inaccessible areas," a leading practitioner said at a medical conference.

On a pilot basis, the Federation of Obstetrics & Gynecologists Societies has introduced low-cost devices in partnership with Jhpiego, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University, to train doctors in modern reproductive system and demonstrate the benefits of smart technology.

"There is an urgent need for low-cost technology to provide quality healthcare services in distant and remote areas where trained medical staff are inadequate," Jhpiego vice president Harshad Sanghvi told about 500 delegates at the World Congress on Obstetrics and Gynaecologists.

Jhpiego has developed a labour monitoring tool, a hand-held device that allows recording of clinical observations, predictions of complications and quick decision-making.

The device includes a sensor module for partial automation of data collection and a telemedicine module to allow midwives seek guidance from distant clinicians.

"The electronic partogram supports main workers and brings essential services to women. We also collaborated with the (state-run) National institute of Design in Ahmedabad to produce better user interfaces," Sanghvi pointed out.

Similarly, Jhpiego developed another low cost device - HemoGlobe - to detect anaemia among women without drawing blood.