Remidio Secures Gates Foundation Grant to Advance AI-Based Maternal Health Screening
Remidio Secures Gates Foundation Grant to Advance AI-Based Maternal Health Screening
Bengaluru, June 10, 2026: Health technology company Remidio Innovative Solutions has received a grant from the Gates Foundation to expand the use of its retinal imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) platform for maternal health screening in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The initiative aims to improve early risk assessment of pregnancy-related complications such as pre-eclampsia, anemia and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), conditions that continue to contribute significantly to maternal and newborn health challenges worldwide.
Expanding the Role of Retinal Imaging
Remidio's Oculomics platform uses retinal imaging combined with AI algorithms to identify signs of systemic diseases through changes in the eye's blood vessels. The company believes the same technology can help detect early indicators of serious pregnancy complications, particularly in regions where access to advanced healthcare infrastructure remains limited.
The program will be implemented across partner locations in India and Africa, regions that account for a large share of the global maternal and perinatal disease burden.
Addressing a Critical Healthcare Challenge
According to global estimates, nearly two million stillbirths occur every year, with the majority reported in low- and middle-income countries. Conditions such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes are among the leading contributors to maternal mortality, stillbirths and preterm births.
Healthcare experts believe that early identification of high-risk pregnancies can significantly improve outcomes for both mothers and newborns. However, many existing screening methods rely on laboratory testing, specialised equipment and trained personnel that may not be readily available in community healthcare settings.
Bringing Screening Closer to Patients
Remidio says one of the key advantages of retinal imaging is its simplicity and accessibility. A retinal image can be captured within seconds using portable devices and does not require invasive procedures.
The company plans to evaluate whether frontline healthcare workers can use the technology to identify pregnancy-related risks in community settings, enabling earlier referrals and intervention.
"Women at the highest risk are often the least likely to access specialist healthcare services in time. This initiative will help evaluate whether retinal imaging can support risk assessment where healthcare resources are limited," the company said.
Building on an Existing Global Platform
Remidio's smartphone-based retinal imaging solutions are already used in screening programs for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The company says its technology has screened more than 16 million patients across 55 countries.
With the support of the Gates Foundation grant, the company now plans to explore maternal health applications using the same platform, potentially expanding the role of retinal imaging beyond eye care into broader preventive healthcare.
Why It Matters
Experts increasingly view artificial intelligence and portable diagnostic technologies as important tools for improving healthcare access in underserved regions. If successful, the initiative could provide healthcare workers with a faster and more scalable method for identifying pregnancy complications at an early stage.
The project also reflects a growing trend in medical research that uses eye health data to detect signs of systemic diseases affecting other parts of the body.
Final Word
The Gates Foundation-backed initiative marks an important step in the use of AI-powered retinal imaging for maternal healthcare. As research progresses across India and Africa, the project could help determine whether a simple eye scan can support earlier detection of life-threatening pregnancy complications and improve healthcare outcomes for millions of women in resource-constrained settings.