摘要： In a low resource setting there are many barriers for providing the standard of healthcare that is normal in developed countries. Modern healthcare largely depends on reliable and accurate medical devices that can diagnose disease, monitor treatment and provide accurate prognostic information. Often medical devices are associated with high costs for purchasing and maintenance that often includes costs for a large number of consumables. In addition, a particular infrastructure is required and highly trained staff are needed to operate these devices. To be successful and useful in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), a medical device needs to be inexpensive, portable, safe, non‐invasive, easy to use and interpret, and battery‐powered. Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a medical device that fulfills all of these requirements and thus has great potential to make an impact on healthcare in LMICs. Its most important use to date has been in neurological monitoring. Its success in this field is due to its low cost, ease of use and ability to be used in a low resource environment.