EKF Diagnostics is supporting the reduction of anaemia in developing regions of South America through the use of its point-of-care (POC) haemoglobin analysers. EKF’s Hemo Control hemoglobin analyser has been helping the reliable screening and monitoring of anaemia to fight chronic child malnutrition by South American public health programmes for a number of years. In Peru, one such programme has reduced chronic malnutrition in children under five years old from 28% to 13% since 2006. The significance of this achievement has been recognised by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Malnutrition is one of the major causes of anaemia, so haemoglobin measurement using Hemo Control provides a reliable screening tool for the effectiveness of ongoing nutrition and health programmes. The health workers using the Hemo Control highlighted its reliable use in extreme weather conditions; for example, in Peru there are approximately 8600 of these point-of-care analysers in action. They are successfully deployed from coastal regions with temperatures over 35°C; to the mountains, at more than 4500 metres above sea level and far lower temperatures; and the jungle, with its humid, hot climate. However, due to its robustness and versatility, the device works reliably to deliver simple, accurate and reliable haemoglobin and haematocrit test results whatever its location.
EKF Diagnostics’ Hemo Control delivers quantitative, laboratory-quality haemoglobin results from 25 seconds, ant also calculates haematocrit. It uses the well-established photometric azide methaemoglobin method ensuring reliable results with a high precision (coefficient of variation [CV] <2%). Owing to its backlit screen, soft-load cuvette holder and integrated rechargeable battery, it is the ideal analyser for stationary use and mobile settings. It also features a bi-directional interface using a public standard protocol that allows direct integration with third-party software.