So that the place where a premature baby is born does not limit their chances of survival.
We create accessible medical technology to save lives where it’s needed most.
Who We Are
We are Medical Open World, an NGO that creates accessible medical technology such as IncuNest, an incubator that costs 96% less than commercial ones. We already have more than 300 incubators in 37 countries and have saved more than 5,000 lives.
What is IncuNest?
An affordable alternative to conventional €35,000 incubators
Real Impact
How You Can Help?
Partnerships & Recognition
Our work has been recognized and supported by partners committed to global health.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What problem are we trying to solve?
Every year, 1.5 million premature babies die because they have no access to an incubator. A commercial neonatal incubator costs €35,000 on average, a price out of reach for many hospitals in low-resource countries. As a result, many newborns there have to be kept warm in cardboard boxes, wrapped in aluminium foil or next to a heater. To change this, we developed IncuNest, an open-source, low-cost neonatal incubator.
What is IncuNest?
IncuNest is the neonatal incubator we design and build at Medical Open World. It automatically controls temperature and humidity, and includes phototherapy, pulse oximetry, remote monitoring over the internet and a 7-inch touchscreen.
It weighs 12.5 kg, can be fully disassembled and fits in a 23 kg checked suitcase. It uses only 130 W and runs on 220/110 V or on a 12 V battery, so it adapts to places without a stable power supply. Learn more about IncuNest.
What does it mean that IncuNest is open source?
Our goal is to save as many lives as possible, so we share all our technology free of charge: blueprints, electronic designs, software and technical documentation. Any person or organization can find them in our GitHub repository to build, adapt or improve their own incubator. Commercial use requires authorization from Medical Open World.
How much does an IncuNest incubator cost?
A commercial neonatal incubator costs €35,000 on average. Producing an IncuNest costs €1,500, more than 20 times less, without giving up the essential functions for caring for a premature newborn.
Where are the incubators built?
Since 2020 we have been building them together with the Salesians, in their vocational training centers. Today they are produced in 10 Salesian centers across Spain, the main one in Pamplona. More than 2,000 students take part in building them: they learn a technical trade while being part of a project that saves lives.
Who acquires the incubators?
Most of our incubators are acquired by health centers and NGOs working in areas of extreme poverty. We ask these organizations for a contribution equal to the real production cost: €1,500 per unit. Many cover this amount through grants or donations they raise themselves, which makes them our great allies: besides funding their own incubator, they help sustain the program for those who cannot pay.
When we confirm that a hospital or NGO cannot afford the cost, we give them the incubator free of charge. These organizations also help us ensure the equipment is used and maintained properly.
Can I request an incubator for my country or for a mission?
Yes, as long as there is a specific need at the destination. The request must be submitted by the person in charge of the health center or organization that will use and maintain the incubator, through our request form.
We then assess the real need, the technical conditions on site, transport, costs, donation criteria and delivery times, so that each incubator reaches the place where it can truly make a difference.
How do the incubators reach their destination?
Whenever possible, a volunteer travelling from Spain or elsewhere in Europe takes it. Because IncuNest can be disassembled and fits in a 23 kg checked suitcase, we send it to them from Pamplona and they carry it as luggage to its destination.
What have we achieved and what is our goal?
To date we have installed more than 300 incubators in 37 countries and helped save more than 5,000 lives. But our goal is far more ambitious: we want to multiply our impact by 100 so that no premature baby dies for lack of an incubator.
How can I help?
You can help us by making a donation, becoming a member or joining as a volunteer. Every contribution brings an incubator closer to a hospital that needs it.