Project Firefly aims to develop an accessible blue light therapy tool for newborns in rural Vietnamese hospitals to alleviate pressure on overloaded national-level hospitals. The design is based on in-context field research highlighting the importance of keeping infants close to their mothers, which enhances trust and creates a positive hospital environment. The approach emphasizes affordability and ease of use for mothers and healthcare staff.

1. design that matters
I N N O V A T I O N F O R S O C I A L E N T E R P R I S E
PROJECT FIREFLY

2. Design that Matters
What

3. In-Context Field Research
Where

4. Newborn Technology Development
Who

5. Project Firefl y
The Need

6. In order to reduce the volume of
otherwise-healthy newborns referred
to overloaded national-level hospitals,
rural district hospitals in Vietnam and
Southeast Asia
-NEED-a
trusted, safe, affordable tool to provide
infants with blue light therapy in the
mothers’ room

7. //01 //02 //03
Sub-title

8. //01
Unburden
the System

9. Unburden the System
Nationally //01

10. //01

11. //01

12. Unburden the System
In-Hospital //01

13. //01

14. //01

15. “This is very suitable for Vietnam because of
the psychology of Vietnamese mothers - they
want their baby beside them. It makes for a
friendly hospital environment.”
- Bui Van Chan
Vice Director
Ha Duong Pediatric Hospital //01

16. //02
Engender
Trust

17. “Firefl y is very easy to use because you don’t
have a adjust the height, anyone can use it -
nurses, mothers, and midwives.”
- Ngo Min Chuong
Director
Nam Dim Provincial Hospital //02

18. //03
Aff ordable
Not Cheap

19. “You need buy-in to the therapy. Even in the
U.S., when you tell parents their baby has
a potentially dangerous condition and we’re
just going to shine a light on them, there is
disbelief.”
- Dr. Steven Ringer
Head of Newborn Medicine
Brigham and Women’s Hospital//03