Rwanda’s fight against tuberculosis (TB), especially drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), has reached new heights with the adoption of smart pillboxes integrated with the MDR-TB Treatment Adherence App on the DHIS2 platform. This innovative solution, a collaborative effort between the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) of Rwanda, KNCV, HISP Rwanda, and HISP Tanzania, is enhancing treatment adherence and improving patient outcomes.
The project began with a comprehensive planning phase, followed by the installation and mapping of data elements to ensure seamless integration. The app was successfully deployed in the production environment, receiving positive feedback and causing minimal disruption to existing workflows.
Rwanda’s existing case-based DHIS2 Tracker for TB presents an ideal foundation for integrating the smart pillbox API developed by KNCV. This integration enable adherence data from the smart pillboxes to be seamlessly incorporated into patient case management views, facilitating more effective monitoring and support.
As the system is live, final testing has been conducted to ensure optimal performance. User training sessions have been organized, and a support plan is in place to assist users during the initial phase of implementation. Monitoring tools have been set up to track system performance and user engagement, and a feedback loop has been established to gather insights for future improvements.
Starting on June 26 and continuing through July 24, 2024, various key activities were undertaken, including a strategic planning session involving KNCV and HISP Tanzania, the installation and data mapping of the MDR-TB Treatment Adherence App within the DHIS2 testing environment on June 28, the deployment of the solution in the production environment on July 15 with the reconfiguration and distribution of smart pillboxes to MDR treatment centers, and a comprehensive user training session on July 24 facilitated by KNCV and HISP Rwanda for representatives from NTP and MDR-TB treatment centers.
Key Outcomes and Impact
The training provided healthcare providers with practical skills to use the smart pillboxes and the app effectively. Participants praised the system’s ease of use and identified a key feature request — the ability to reassign pillboxes — which will be addressed in future app updates.
Next Steps
Future updates will incorporate user feedback, including the development of requested features such as pillbox reassignment functionality. The success of this initiative positions Rwanda as a leader in leveraging digital health solutions for infectious disease management.
The collaboration between NTP, KNCV, HISP Rwanda, and HISP Tanzania underscores the power of innovation and partnership in advancing healthcare solutions. Rwanda’s experience serves as a model for other countries seeking to harness digital technologies to combat TB and improve public health outcomes.
A Model for Innovation in Healthcare
This successful deployment of smart pillboxes has transformed TB treatment adherence monitoring in Rwanda, setting a benchmark for digital health solutions in infectious disease management. Through collaboration and innovation, Rwanda is demonstrating how technology can revolutionize healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. END