Boston, MA and Kigali, Rwanda, November 17, 2025

ArcHealth Foundation, a US-based public charity advancing equitable access to maternal and newborn health innovations, announced a grant to the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda. The grant will support SONA Global’s work on the potential acceptability of VATARA, a new suction technology designed for medical use.

The study, conducted in partnership with ArcHealth, UGHE, and SONA Global, will assess VATARA’s operational potential in labor and delivery settings. This includes the possible use of emerging techniques for managing postpartum hemorrhage, the leading direct cause of maternal mortality worldwide.

“This collaboration reflects our mission to bridge innovation and access by funding local institutions to conduct research that informs the delivery path of life-saving technologies,” said Natalie Meyer, Managing Director and Board President of ArcHealth Foundation. “By working with UGHE and SONA Global, we aim to accelerate solutions that strengthen maternal health systems in sub-Saharan Africa.”

The study will explore VATARA’s feasibility and acceptability as a bedside suction source, its potential applications beyond hemorrhage control, and early insights into cost and willingness to pay. Since the product is not yet registered, findings will be based on demonstrations to help guide future use cases and scale-up strategies for introducing VATARA in low and middle income countries.

“UGHE is pleased to lead this important research in partnership with ArcHealth and SONA Global,” said Abebe Bekele, MD, UGHE Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research. “As an institution committed to training the next generation of global health leaders, this project aligns directly with our mission to deliver high-quality, evidence-based solutions for Africa’s most pressing health challenges.”

Dr. Kiran Agarwal-Harding, Founder and President of SONA Global, said, “At SONA Global, we develop innovative and affordable solutions to improve access to emergency surgery, and this partnership marks an exciting step forward as we evaluate VATARA’s use for the labor and delivery setting. This study will help shape VATARA’s role in saving the lives of mothers across different clinical environments.”

About ArcHealth Foundation

ArcHealth Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to bridge the gap between medical innovation and global healthcare so that life-changing maternal medical devices are affordable and accessible worldwide. Learn more at arc-health.org and follow ArcHealth Foundation on LinkedIn.

About the University of Global Health Equity

The University of Global Health Equity is a Rwanda-based health sciences institution founded by Partners In Health. UGHE trains global health leaders and conducts research to transform health service delivery for underserved populations. Learn more at ughe.org and follow UGHE on LinkedIn.

About SONA Global

SONA Global is a non-profit humanitarian organization that develops affordable medical devices and multilingual education to address gaps in access to essential surgery. Its flagship product, VATARA, provides reliable and portable suction for labor and delivery settings, especially in facilities without consistent electricity or wall suction. Learn more at sonaglobal.org and follow SONA Global on LinkedIn.

Media inquiries

Natalie Meyer
ArcHealth Foundation
natalie@arc-health.org
+1 802 377 1977