By Williams Mhango, LCC 3

Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) students have once again demonstrated their exceptional innovation skills, this time at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme's Malawi Innovators in Global Health Technology (MIGHT) Mentorship held from May 15 to 16, 2024. 

Led by final-year Biomedical Engineering student Emmanuel Mtegha, a team of three developed a Mobile IoT Cooling Device for Thermolabile Drugs, which is a device used to transport and maintain insulin, vaccines and other temperature sensitive medicines at controlled temperatures, ensuring their accessibility even in remote health posts, and facilities.

When asked about the inspiration behind their project, Mtegha said: "We were driven by the critical challenges faced in maintaining a reliable cold chain for temperature-sensitive medications in Malawi. We wanted to address this specific problem and make a positive impact on public health outcomes."

"We are very excited and motivated at the same time. Knowing that our pitch won and it was like an acknowledgement to our efforts. It encourages us to keep striving for excellence. Our innovation will fill the gap in the storing and transportation of temperature-sensitive drugs from health facilities to remote locations without a worry on loss of drug effectiveness because the device will be able to maintain temperatures within the acceptable range of storage for long periods of time."

The team, comprising Mtegha, Collins Chatangwa, and Lovemore Miseu. Responded to a call for applications into the MIGHT programme which was shared by the MUST Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wilson Mandala. Otherwise the team developed the innovation as part of their final year project.

Mtegha said the victory not only marked a significant milestone for the team but also illuminated the path for the future, proving that with the right blend of creativity, perseverance and teamwork, one can indeed make a difference. 

The team credits MUST Design Studio for providing resources and guidance throughout their journey.

Among others, the MUST Design Studio provided resources like 3D printing and laser cutting for prototyping, as well as guidance from project supervisors Edwin Khundi, a Biomedical Engineering lecturer and Nelson Mwenifumbo, design studio engineer.

According to Mwenifumbo, the students’ innovation benefitted from critical thinking, design thinking, and problem-solving skills, which were instrumental in refining the work.

The Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme supported the team by offering a platform to present their innovation and gain feedback from public health experts in Malawi. 

This collaboration was facilitated by MUST's strong industry connections, which enabled the team to refine the Mobile Cold Storage Unit.

MUST's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in its students' achievements. 

The university gives them a supportive environment, resources and connections to industry experts, equipping them with the skills and confidence to tackle real-world challenges and make a positive impact through technological advancements.