Breaking the Status Quo

Breaking the Status Quo and Innovating at the age of 14

By Sanjana Bhowmick

A student of class 10 and a budding innovator, Archit Rahul Patil, innovated the life-saving Postpartum Haemorrhage Cups. He developed low-cost silicone Postpartum Haemorrhage Cups (PPH Cups), which would measure the post-delivery blood loss accurately and reduce the maternal mortality rate.

A Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2021 awardee Archit Rahul Patil got inspired from a young age. Talking to the India Book of Records, he says, “Since my childhood, I had to witness and experience the emotional trauma of maternal deaths; during childbirth, due to excessive blood loss. I learned from my parents (who are doctors) that there is no single accurate method to measure post-delivery blood loss. It leads to delay in diagnosis and unfortunate death of mothers despite marathon efforts by the medical team. This situation inspired me to find the solution to the problem.”

The PPH Cup helps in accurate and real-time measurement of post-delivery blood loss. These cups help in prompt and early diagnosis of excessive post-delivery bleeding & alert the medical team. Getting the necessary medical treatment for PPH (postpartum haemorrhage) in golden hour reduces the death rate (maternal mortality) and (morbidity), thus preventing further health deterioration of the mother. This low-cost device is not only life-saving but also safe, effective and reusable. It is user-friendly for women as well as for caregivers.

The impact of this 50gm device is validated; by all stakeholders and is currently in use by three government medical colleges in Maharashtra (India).

Archit was aware of Postpartum Haemorrhage trauma in his childhood. During the 2017-18 Dr. Homi Bhabha Young Scientist competition, Archit conducted various workshops for better eco-friendly menstrual hygiene options. In this event, he became aware of different menstrual products and had a first-hand experience of handling the products. The idea struck his mind, and he further researched the subject and developed the product.

Making of the PPH cups was not an easy task to accomplish Archit reveals the challenges he faced, “It took almost two years from the ideation to the final product development. The greatest complication was to incubate the idea while developing the final product. Making a flawless mould after multiple attempts was one of the most critical and difficult phases I encountered.”

This journey wouldn’t have been possible for Archit without the immense support and guidance he received from his parents. They provided him logistical support and also helped him in industrial collaboration for the development of the product.

Revealing about his robust plans, he says, “I want to introduce this life-saving innovation at an international platform to outreach global users. I want UNICEF, WHO, Government of India to incorporate the PPH cup in maternal schemes, as it will help in reducing maternal mortality. I have formed a company, Archit Scientific Private Limited and this device will be commercially marketed under this banner.”