Kenya plans to put in place by year-end a biometric medical record system developed by Japanese engineers in a bid to improve the survival of newborns in the African country.

UNICEF says an estimated 2.4 million infants died in their first 28 days of life in 2020. Experts say those deaths -- many of which took place in developing countries -- could be mostly prevented through typical medical interventions such as vaccinations.

The new system was developed by Japanese electronics maker NEC and Nagasaki University, in cooperation with Kenyan researchers.

The system keeps the medical records of children and links them to their fingerprints, which are taken when they are born. Since newborns' fingerprints are not yet fully developed, it is supplemented by voice authentication by their mothers.

The planned full-fledged introduction of the system by Kenya follows a trial that the country launched in the autumn of 2022.

If successful, it will be the first time in the world that the technically difficult authentication of newborns' fingerprints has been put to practical use for a medical system.

Experts say the system will make it easier for medical professionals to keep track of children's vaccination histories, and that it is useful when planning vaccination campaigns.

NEC and Nagasaki University officials say they will consider introducing the system in other countries as well.