SAM PHOTO

SAM Photo® Diagnosis App is a mobile application developed by Action Against Hunger to detect severe acute malnutrition (SAM). It uses morphometric analysis of the body to diagnose the nutritional status of children under five years of age with a single photo of their left arm, enabling rapid and reliable identification of malnutrition and facilitating rapid access to the necessary treatment.
 

How does it work?

The process is intuitive. A person takes a photo of the child's left arm, without the need for an internet connection. The application evaluates the image, determining nutritional status through a previously validated algorithm. Once analysed, the photograph is automatically deleted, and if there is an Internet connection, the anonymous data is stored in a database that constantly improves the algorithm and provides highly useful information for public health systems. Finally, the user receives detailed information about treatment options in their area.

Geographical scope

Currently, SAM Photo is present in the following countries:

África

• Senegal. It is the first place where we have developed and tested the SAM Photo App technology in real cases. It is the country where we have generated scientific evidence that supports the methodology we use. In Senegal, we work in the Matam region, bordering Mauritania, located in the Senegalese Sahel.
• Uganda. It is the second African country to join the portfolio and the first in East Africa. where SAM Photo App will be tested for the first time in the context of a displacement camp. Our foray into this field is in coordination with UNHCR.
• Mauritania. It is the most recent country to join the partnership and the second in the Sahel region. The project is expected to be developed towards the south-east of the country, an area at high risk of food insecurity and malnutrition.

Latin America

• Guatemala. In this context, in addition to continuing to explore the influence of phenotypic differences on the accuracy of our diagnostic method for acute malnutrition, we have  further explored the study of chronic malnutrition.

Southeast Asia

• India. It is the first Asian country to join SAM Photo App’s global portfolio. In addition to being one of the most populous countries in the world, the rate of malnutrition is  proportional to the size of the population. The introduction of SAM Photo App in this context on an operational basis will be of great benefit to the National Response to Child Malnutrition.

SAM Photo has captured the attention of numerous audiences, excelling in various areas linked to research, innovation, and development. As a result, it has been awarded several prizes. These awards are a testament to the commitment, dedication, and potential of the SAM Photo project, which aims to become a reference tool for the detection of severe acute malnutrition.

• Go!ODS (2024): The go!ODS Awards aim to recognize and support innovative projects that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. After a thorough analysis of the 506 submissions to the IV go!ODS Awards, SAM Photo was awarded in the category of SDG 3, Good Health and Well-being. >Check article

• Fast Company (2023): The "Ideas that Change the World Awards" recognize sustainable designs, innovative products, bold social initiatives, and other creative projects that are reshaping the way we work, live, and interact with the world. A jury composed of editors and journalists from Fast Company selected the winners and finalists from over 2,200 submissions spanning urban design, education, nature, politics, technology, corporate social responsibility, and other fields. SAM PHOTO was chosen as one of the five finalist ideas in the Technology for the Developing World category. >Check article

• Gold Anthem Award, Best Humanitarian Action (2023): The Webby Awards are the leading international organization honoring excellence on the Internet, encompassing websites, video, advertising, media and public relations, apps, mobile and voice, social media, podcasts, and games. Established in 1996, the Anthem Awards recognize work done in seven core causes: Humanitarian Action; Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion; Education; Arts and Culture; Health; Human and Civil Rights; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment, and Climate. >Check article

• Mutua Madrileña (2020): Since 2012, the Mutua Foundation has been promoting its Call for Social Action Projects Grants to financially support NGO projects aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable communities.

• DKV (2019): An awards ceremony that pays tribute to those anonymous individuals and entities in the healthcare sector who, in addition to carrying out their professional duties, also work to support or drive charitable projects, helping to change our society.

• ASTER/ESIC (2018): The ASTER Digital Innovation Award is convened by ESIC BUSINESS & MARKETING SCHOOL to recognize companies that have driven a process of business transformation leveraging new technologies, revitalizing their business models, and making a qualitative leap in their competitive capacity.

• Vodafone (2018): Entities and projects that utilize innovation in new technologies for social action are awarded.

• Aid & International Developement Forum (2017): This competition celebrates individuals as well as teams who have introduced game-changing initiatives, created research or inventions that have made an impact on the humanitarian aid and development sectors globally.

• Diario Médico (2016): The benchmark medium for healthcare professionals awards the best ideas in research.