The pHera team is a diverse group of healthcare innovators who came together during i-Days Nicosia to address a critical issue in patient safety.
Future Media had a deep dive with the CEO of the startup Karthikayini Gomathinayagam.
The idea for pHera was inspired by Karthikayini’s mother, a nurse in Canada, who highlighted the risks and inefficiencies of confirming nasogastric (NG) tube placement.
Misplacement of NG tubes can lead to severe complications, and the current reliance on X-rays is both time-consuming and resource-intensive. Determined to find a better solution, the team is developing pHera, a device designed to provide a faster and safer method for confirming NG tube placement.
Representing Cyprus at the European i-Days finals in Budapest, the team’s dedication and innovative approach earned them first prize. They credit their success to teamwork, mentorship, and their ability to integrate medical innovation with business strategy.
Currently, in the research and development phase, they are working on their first prototype through the Beyond Pre-Accelerator Programme. Their short-term goal is to implement pHera within the NHS, followed by global adoption.
Karthikayini emphasizes the importance of initiatives like i-Days and Junior Achievement Cyprus, which empower young innovators to transform ideas into impactful solutions, develop leadership skills, and build confidence to address real-world challenges.
Can you introduce the pHera team and share how you came together to work on this project?
The pHera team is a multinational group consisting of Karthikayini Gomathinayagam, Ron Poon, Loukia Chatzilazarou, and Alma Sato with a shared passion for healthcare innovation! We met at i-Days Nicosia, and each of us brings different expertise from the healthcare field. I’m a 3rd Year Medical student, and after last year’s i-Days experience, I was determined to come back with an impactful solution. When I shared my mom’s story about the lack of an all-in-one solution for confirming NG tube placement, the team immediately connected with the idea. Together, we’ve been working hard to make this concept a reality.
What inspired you to address the issue of nasogastric (NG) tube misplacement, and how did the idea for pHera come about?
The idea was actually inspired by a conversation I had with my mom last year. As a Registered Nurse working in Canada, she told me that there wasn’t a time-effective way to confirm if an NG tube is in the stomach or misplaced in the lungs, which can be dangerous and inconvenient for patients before getting final confirmation through X-rays. That conversation stuck with me, and when I got the opportunity to participate in i-Days again, I knew this was the problem I wanted to solve as a medical student and as a future doctor. It’s something that directly affects patient safety, and I was determined to work on a solution.
What was it like participating in the i-Days competition, and how did it feel to represent Cyprus at the European level in Budapest and win the 1st prize?
Participating in i-Days this year was an incredible experience. Having the chance to represent Cyprus at the European finals in Budapest was a huge honor. Winning 1st prize was surreal. It validated all the hard work and passion our team poured into this project. It was also a great opportunity to meet other innovators and see firsthand the impact young people can have on healthcare.
Can you share some memorable moments or key lessons from your experience at i-Days and the EIT Health competition?
One of the most memorable moments was during the finals when we pitched our idea to a diverse panel of judges. I truly realised how much I had learned, especially compared to last year in terms of leadership and communication skills. I also realized the importance of teamwork. Everyone brought something unique to the table, and that’s what made us strong as a team. A key lesson was the balance between medical innovation and business strategy, something that’s crucial for any healthcare solution to succeed.
For those unfamiliar, could you explain the problem of NG tube misplacement and the impact it has on patients and healthcare professionals?
NG tube misplacement is a significant issue because if the tube ends up in the lungs instead of the stomach, it can lead to serious complications like aspiration pneumonia. Traditionally, X-rays are used to confirm placement, which takes time and resources. This can delay care, especially in busy hospitals or smaller clinics. For healthcare professionals, it’s a stressful and time-consuming process, often adding to their already heavy workload.
Where are you currently in the development of pHera, and what steps are you taking in the Beyond Pre-Accelerator Programme?
Right now, we’re in the research and development phase, hoping to work closely with our mentor in the Beyond Pre-Accelerator Programme. We’re preparing to build our real prototype and securing funding for further development. The program has been essential in helping us refine our business model and plan our next steps.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for pHera in the next 1–2 years? Do you envision it being adopted globally?
In the next 1–2 years, we hope to see pHera being adopted in hospitals, starting with the NHS, as it handles a high number of NG tube placements annually, making it an ideal starting point for pHera’s implementation. After that, our goal is to expand globally, making the technology accessible to hospitals and clinics around the world. We’re also looking into adapting pHera for pediatric use and potentially applying the core technology to other areas of healthcare.
How did Junior Achievement Cyprus support you during this journey, and why are programs like these vital for young innovators?
Junior Achievement Cyprus has been a great support system, providing guidance and resources to help us grow as a team. Programs like these are essential because they give young innovators the tools and opportunities to turn their ideas into real-world solutions. It’s also an incredible learning experience in leadership, teamwork, and entrepreneurship.
What advice would you give to young people interested in joining innovation bootcamps like i-Days, and how can such experiences shape their future?
My advice would be to go for it! Innovation bootcamps like i-Days give you the chance to explore your potential, learn new skills, and build connections. It’s not just about the competition. It’s about developing yourself as a leader and problem solver. These experiences shape how you think about real-world challenges and give you the confidence to tackle them head-on.
