Students from the Global Women’s Health Thesis Lab recently visited LAYCO, a purpose-driven organisation working to advance sustainable and accessible healthcare solutions worldwide.
During the visit, the LAYCO team provided an in-depth introduction to their mission and work, with a particular focus on their flagship innovation, the vela®. Designed to support safe childbirth in a wide range of contexts - from high-resource hospitals to low-resource settings, including regions in Sub-Saharan Africa - the device exemplifies how thoughtful design can address critical global health challenges.
The session offered students a hands-on experience: participants assembled the vela® themselves and tested its application in a practical setting. This interactive component highlighted the connection between academic research and tangible, real-world impact.
In addition, students presented their individual thesis proposals to LAYCO professionals, creating an opportunity for direct exchange with practitioners working at the forefront of global women’s health. The presentations sparked valuable discussions, with feedback coming both from the LAYCO team and fellow students across disciplines.
The visit reflects the core aim of the LDE Thesis Labs programme: to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and connect academic research to real-world challenges and partners.
The Global Women’s Health Thesis Lab extends its thanks to Dieuwertje Drexhage, Thom Weustink, Glo Micali, and the wider LAYCO team for their openness, time, and continued commitment to impactful innovation in global health.
