Portfolio, Research & Projects

Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) RLC, West Africa - Community Service Project, 2024

The Reinforcing Engagement through Mobile Interventions for Non-communicable Disease (REMIND) project was initiated as a response to the high rates of missed appointments among patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana. Missed appointments can lead to severe health complications and increased healthcare costs, making it crucial to develop strategies to enhance appointment adherence. Our project was conducted within the framework of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Regional Leadership Center – West Africa,. We aim to highlight the potential of mobile health solutions in promoting patient engagement and improving health outcomes in resource-limited settings.

Objectives

The primary objective of the REMIND project was to evaluate the feasibility of a mobile phone-based reminder intervention to reduce missed appointments among patients with hypertension and diabetes. Initially, our situation was characterized by a concerning no-show rate of up to 43% among NCD patients, significantly impacting their health management. We sought to change this trend by implementing an automated reminder system that would help patients remember their appointments and appreciate the importance of consistent attendance in managing their conditions. Throughout the process, we were mindful of factors such as participant recruitment and retention, intervention acceptability, and the need to comply with ethical guidelines

Results

In this feasibility study, we found that participants expressed high levels of satisfaction with the mobile reminder system, indicating that this approach was both accepted and appreciated. Unexpectedly, we also discovered that participants who received reminders reported improved overall engagement with their health management, highlighting the intervention’s potential to influence not only appointment attendance but also patient behavior related to their health. The insights gained from this project will inform the development of larger-scale mHealth strategies in Ghana and potentially across the West African region, with the goal of fostering better management of non-communicable diseases and improving health outcomes for communities at risk.

The REMIND feasibility study - Pope John Paul Medical Center, Jamasi - Ashanti Region, Ghana

Zipline/KNUST Collaborative Evaluation Study 2023 - 2024

The project titled "Assessing Impact of Medical Drones in Reducing Healthcare Disparities in Underserved Populations in the Kwabre East Municipality of Ghana" aims to evaluate the effectiveness of medical drones introduced by Zipline in enhancing healthcare access in underserved communities. This initiative sparked my interest due to the persistent healthcare disparities prevalent in many regions of Ghana, particularly in rural areas where geographic barriers and resource constraints limit access to essential medical services. Collaborators on this project included a multi-disciplinary team from the Department of Health Policy, Management and Economics at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and personnel from Zipline International Incorporated. The project was completed in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti region, an area with significant healthcare access challenges. We would like to acknowledge the support of the local health directorate, healthcare facilities, and all participants who contributed to this study.

Objectives

The primary objectives of this project included assessing the impact of medical drones on healthcare access, evaluating changes in medication and vaccine availability, and investigating the factors that influence the utilization of drone services among healthcare providers and patients. Throughout the project, essential considerations included obtaining ethical approvals, ensuring participant consent, and addressing any cultural sensitivities related to healthcare access.

Results

Our findings revealed a significant positive impact of medical drones on reducing healthcare disparities, with approximately 92% of patients and 84% of healthcare providers reporting improved access to medical services. The introduction of drones resulted in a threefold increase in childhood vaccinations, demonstrating enhanced medication availability and equitable access to healthcare. An unexpected insight was the high level of trust and reliance on the drone service among both patients and providers, indicating its potential for broader application in health systems. Overall, this project not only met its objectives but also uncovered critical aspects of how technological interventions can enhance healthcare delivery, potentially influencing future health policies and practices in Ghana and other similar settings.

Zipline and KNUST award top research on drone delivery for healthcare equity

DIGITAL PIONEERS PITCH

Accessible & Affordable Healthcare - 2025

This projected aimed to addresses significant challenges in accessing affordable healthcare, particularly in underserved communities like rural Ghana. It recognizes that many individuals, exemplified by the user persona Linda Appiah, face geographic and financial barriers that make obtaining quality healthcare difficult.

To tackle these issues, our project proposes a telemedicine app powered by AI that connects patients and doctors through video calls, chat, and AI-driven symptom analysis. This app is designed to reduce travel costs and wait times, facilitate early diagnosis, and ensure secure consultations. Key features include AI-driven medication insights, a doctor chat function, and an appointment booking system for easy scheduling.

The project plans to expand its capabilities by offering services in multiple languages and developing an AI health assistant. Ultimately, the goal is to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)

PITCH VIDEO PRESENTATION OF THE AI ENABLED TELEMEDICINE APP

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