As Africa's mobile health (m-health) ecosystem continues to grow in scale, Aviro - a Cape Town-based technology start-up - is focusing on improving the digital design of innovative health solutions.
The company's Android app ART Treatment Mentor recently began a pilot project with nurses at Khayelitsha Hospital, adding a mobile dimension to their routine.
According to Aviro, the app is tailored to HIV healthcare workers, who use it as a decision-making support tool when providing antiretroviral treatment to patients. The company says the app is based on South African clinical guidelines, enabling staff to easily consult on antiretroviral treatment during patient visits.
"Aviro gives clinical prompts and calculates information that is essential for patient management but is often missed in routine exams," the company says.
Jep Chumba, creative director for Aviro, says the solution was developed to help nurses make decisions quickly in high-pressure environments. "They often have to refer to confusing charts and inaccurate information pasted on the walls of their clinics. Add to that the long waiting lines and the pressure to make quick decisions affecting the treatment their patients receive," she says.
Chumba notes the solution was developed following close collaboration with nurses. "We do not believe technology will ever be able to replace the care, discernment and expertise that health professionals provide but we can create solutions that make their work easier," she says.
Hospital automation
Meanwhile, Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa recently unveiled a range of hospital automation solutions in what the company said was a response to rising health administration tasks.
The Resyone robotic bed helps patients move safely between their bed and wheelchair, with the help of only one healthcare worker. According to Panasonic, the bed transforms into a mobile sofa allowing patients to be assisted without being lifted by care givers. The Japanese electronics giant also unveiled Hospi - a delivery robot aimed at fast-tracking the movement of lab samples and medicines between floors in hospitals.
Panasonic noted its solutions aimed to ease staffing burdens and assist in instances where hospitals struggle with shortages.
Another offering has come from Cell Life. Owen Heckrath, COO at the m-health solutions company, notes one of its solutions seeks to improve drug stock management at public hospitals and clinics. "The system works out the average daily consumption of major drugs and allows workers to take stock on a mobile phone. It gives loud, vocal screen-based alerts."
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