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In 2012, a set of students in IIT Madras was determined to find a solution for a real-time challenge faced by the differently abled community. Under the guidance of Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan, Head of the TTK Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2), a passionate group of mechanical engineers set sail on a journey to design a novel and affordable assistive device for people with locomotor impairments. Traditional wheelchairs empower their users. At the same time, users are restrained to a seated position, and this leads to pressure sores and a reduction in blood circulation. Further, a wheelchair user is typically entirely dependent on the assistance of other people for getting in and out of the wheelchair and for other activities. Thus there are physical and mental health-related problems related to the use of conventional wheelchairs.
The group at R2D2 sought to address the problem by developing a wheelchair that enables users to stand without seeking assistance from others. Wellcome Trust generously supported the project through their affordable healthcare scheme in India. A wheelchair was designed that would be customizable so that it could accommodate a wide range of users. Extensive user trials conducted at various rehabilitation centres across India over 6 years shaped the product. The iterations were based on the feedback received from the user community. R2D2 found in us, Phoenix, particularly given our impressive track record with SmartCane, a suitable commercialization partner. Phoenix brought in crucial expertise in affordable manufacturing. A novel mass-manufacturable design was developed to make the wheelchair affordable. Named Arise, the standing wheelchair was launched by Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Honourable Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, at IIT Madras Research Park on 5 November 2019.

India Neodesigns, an NGO that promotes innovative technology in neonatal health, was at IAP Bangalore in September after participating successfully in events in Delhi and Chennai.
Each innovator was given a 5 minute slot to present an innovation to the neonatal care fraternity. The India Neodesigns team displayed their indigenously developed technology to neonatal professionals and decision makers from the private and government sectors. We thank the neonatal community for giving their valuable suggestions for the products and being supportive of young Indian entrepreneurs.

Maghizini, a modern birthing theatre at Nandivaram Primary Health Care Centre, is now open to the public for deliveries. Magizhini was funded and designed by Phoenix Medical Systems and was inaugurated by the Health Secretary.
The first baby to be born at Magizhini was delivered on 9 November. The mother-to-be was tense when she walked into Maghizini, but she was quickly soothed by the ambience, and she walked out soon after with a bundle of joy in her arms.

We eagerly await many more such moments. ‘Maghizini means’ happiness hereafter. The labour room will live up to its name and ensure dignity and safe motherhood to every expectant mother.

	In 2012, a set of students in IIT Madras was determined to find a solution for a real-time challenge faced by the differently abled community. Under the guidance of Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan, Head of the TTK Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2), a passionate group of mechanical engineers set sail on a journey to design a novel and affordable assistive device for people with locomotor impairments. Traditional wheelchairs empower their users. At the same time, users are restrained to a seated position, and this leads to pressure sores and a reduction in blood circulation. Further, a wheelchair user is typically entirely dependent on the assistance of other people for getting in and out of the wheelchair and for other activities. Thus there are physical and mental health-related problems related to the use of conventional wheelchairs. The group at R2D2 sought to address the problem by developing a wheelchair that enables users to stand without seeking assistance from others. Wellcome Trust generously supported the project through their affordable healthcare scheme in India. A wheelchair was designed that would be customizable so that it could accommodate a wide range of users. Extensive user trials conducted at various rehabilitation centres across India over 6 years shaped the product. The iterations were based on the feedback received from the user community. R2D2 found in us, Phoenix, particularly given our impressive track record with SmartCane, a suitable commercialization partner. Phoenix brought in crucial expertise in affordable manufacturing. A novel mass-manufacturable design was developed to make the wheelchair affordable. Named Arise, the standing wheelchair was launched by Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Honourable Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, at IIT Madras Research Park on 5 November 2019.

	India Neodesigns, an NGO that promotes innovative technology in neonatal health, was at IAP Bangalore in September after participating successfully in events in Delhi and Chennai. Each innovator was given a 5 minute slot to present an innovation to the neonatal care fraternity. The India Neodesigns team displayed their indigenously developed technology to neonatal professionals and decision makers from the private and government sectors. We thank the neonatal community for giving their valuable suggestions for the products and being supportive of young Indian entrepreneurs.
Maghizini, a modern birthing theatre at Nandivaram Primary Health Care Centre, is now open to the public for deliveries. Magizhini was funded and designed by Phoenix Medical Systems and was inaugurated by the Health Secretary. The first baby to be born at Magizhini was delivered on 9 November. The mother-to-be was tense when she walked into Maghizini, but she was quickly soothed by the ambience, and she walked out soon after with a bundle of joy in her arms.	We eagerly await many more such moments. ‘Maghizini means’ happiness hereafter. The labour room will live up to its name and ensure dignity and safe motherhood to every expectant mother.

	The idea of the Phoenix Service Supermarket was born of a need for quick delivery of disposables and frequently required spares to our large customer base in India and around the world. Orders would be received as indents at the factory, and it would take us 2–3 days to process an order. Our customers expected shorter waiting periods, and we had to think of a process to meet their expectations. The management at Phoenix came up with the idea of the Service Supermarket. The Service Supermarket is for the Service Department what a retail supermarket is for a customer. In a supermarket, customers buy what they need, when they need it. The shelves are refilled as the products are sold on the assumption that what has sold will sell again. This makes it easier to see how much has been used and avoids overstocking. The aim of the Service Supermarket is to ensure that the consumption details go back to the supply chain and that stocking is triggered by the actual demand. Every day, the disposables and spares are restocked to ensure that an order received is shipped out in as little as 24 hours. The quicker an order is despatched and reaches the customer (a hospital), the quicker the hospital can provide support to tiny newborns. Together with our customers, located across the world, we can achieve our vision on ensuring that every neonate is provided the best care and that infant mortality is reduced. Mrs. Susan Manager – Customer Support

	Training is vital for a user to realize the maximum benefits from any equipment. Especially when critical care is to be provided, it is essential that the medical staff be well versed with the operation of the equipment. The Phoenix team was at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to conduct an intense 3 day training programme. Around 25 biomedical engineers from across Ethiopia were trained in the use of Phoenix products donated by the company through UNICEF, who organized the programme. We thank UNICEF for being appreciative of our training.