India is at the epicenter of the global heart disease crisis, bearing an alarming 60% of the world’s burden. In 2022, the country witnessed 56,653 sudden deaths, with heart attacks claiming 32,410 lives.[1] This stark statistic underscores the critical need for timely diagnosis in mitigating the devastating impact of heart disease.
Among the array of diagnostic tools, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is a critical non-invasive, swift, and effective tool that detects cardiac irregularities preceding heart attacks. Early ECG detection of anomalies opens the gateway to lifesaving treatments within the ‘golden hour’—the critical initial moments following a cardiac event when an intervention is most likely to prevent death and minimize long-term heart damage.
Democratizing Cardiac Care
Ensuring prompt access to ECG services can significantly enhance patient outcomes, offering a vital lifeline to those at risk of heart disease in India. Recognizing this need, Sunfox Technologies has made significant strides in the health tech and med-tech domain, focusing on designing portable healthcare devices to monitor cardiac health. Its pioneering product, Spandan pocket ECG, reflects the enterprise’s commitment to diagnosing and preventing life-threatening cardiac events within the golden hour.
The Spandan ECG machine stands out with its 99.7% accuracy, portability, and capability to perform unlimited ECG tests with just a smartphone. It detects a wide range of cardiac conditions including 21 arrhythmia patterns, 12 heart dysfunctions, and 12 types of STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) and ischemia [2], making it a comprehensive tool for heart health. This breakthrough is a testament to Sunfox’s commitment to democratizing access to routine cardiac care and home ECG usage, with a focus on reaching underserved communities.
Creating Impact with Support from SAMRIDH
SAMRIDH, which is supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global, provided financial assistance, business advisory, and market access support to Sunfox. This led Sunfox to deploy Spandan ECG devices in rural areas, small towns, and sub-urban areas across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi. This support enabled the enterprise to raise additional funding, achieving a leverage of approximately 8.2x over committed funds.
As part of these collaborative efforts, a comprehensive network of 96 public clinics, including Community Health Centers and Primary Health Centers, alongside 1,415 private clinics, have collectively adopted a total of 1,551 Spandan units. This widespread implementation has enabled the screening of 63,486 individuals, demonstrating the impactful reach and potential of this initiative to revolutionize cardiac health monitoring.
The impact of the devices is further evidenced by the testimonies of doctors who have tested the device.
Dr. Ahzam Khan, a resident doctor in emergency medicine at AIIMS Nagpur, has been using the device for 6 months. He said, “Spandan ECG device has an accurate reading with an accuracy rate of 99%. I have cross-checked the results with the hospital ECG devices – Spandan shows the exact ECG. It is very useful in emergency situations. You can carry it anywhere and check the ECG on the go. It is going to be a revolutionary device and will change people’s perspective on cardiac diseases and heart problems.”
Dr. Suzanne, from the Sonali Foundation, purchased the Spandan device for a medical camp. Praising the device, she remarked, “We offer ECG services to individuals who lack access to them. Initially, I was doubtful about the device’s accuracy. However, during the camp, we conducted ECGs for 70 individuals. I am glad to share that we saved four lives that day – one of them was at a high risk. We promptly directed them to the hospital, where their condition was confirmed based on the Spandan reports, and they were admitted. I believe that Spandan should be a household and organizational essential, as it can aid in timely diagnosis and save lives. It is user-friendly and does not require specialized technical skills.”
Creating New Inroads to Healthcare for All
During its partnership with SAMRIDH, Sunfox unveiled five innovative products and services, including variations of the Spandan ECG designed for different healthcare settings—from military applications to hospital and consumer use. Each of the products and services is tailored to meet the specific needs of its user base, ensuring that life-saving cardiac care can be provided across the spectrum of healthcare environments.
Furthermore, with SAMRIDH’s financial assistance, Sunfox expanded into 12 African countries, partnering with local suppliers and doctors to deploy over 400 Spandan ECG units, conducting over 10,000 tests.[3] Their pursuit of compliance certifications, such as registration with the Kenya Pharmacy Board, highlights their global commitment to accessible cardiac care. Through strategic support to such high-impact social enterprises SAMRIDH is paving the way for making advanced strategies more accessible and affordable. The partnership with Sunfox Technologies is a testament to SAMRIDH’s commitment to ensure that life-saving medical care is available to the furthest reaches of society.
[1] https://thewire.in/rights/crimes-against-women-and-children-suicides-sudden-deaths-increased-in-2022-ncrb-report
[2] https://sunfox.in/products/spandan/
[3] https://samridhhealth.org/sunfox/
