On 24  September 2021, Strathmore University, Mount Kenya University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kabarak University and African Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Rwanda, participated in the Microsoft ADC University Mentorship program 2021.

In groups of five, the onus on the participants was to figure out a workable and applicable solution to the provision of health care using technology. Their innovations were required to answer to the theme: “Virtual health care solutions; improving the workflow in hospitals.”

Amen Gemeda and Jafer Abdikadir, Informatics and Computer Science students, were among the many that participated in this competitive program and emerged winners!

What were your team innovation?

Amen: M- Tiba or M – health was our team’s innovation as a solution to greatly improve health care whereby doctors were able to gain real-time access to a patients’ vital signs from anywhere in the world, gauge the patients’ condition, and determine if hospitalization is necessary.

Our innovation was a progressive web application that would address the problem through data collection and processing in hospitals and eventually improve access to comprehensive virtual healthcare in remote areas.

Jafer: The name of our project “Jenner App” was inspired by the man who discovered the small pox vaccine, Edward Jenner. The App provides a website that patients directly interact with to get medical attention while simultaneously allowing the doctor to access the patient’s records and gauge their condition to determine whether hospitalization is necessary.

How does the innovation work?

Jafer: Once a patient is registered into the system, they can access the various medical support offered by the system. This includes viewing their vital signs, their previous diagnoses and prescription, as well as meeting with a doctor for a virtual consultation. Ideally, we are saving costs and stretching the few available resources to improve workflow in the hospitals.

Amen: M-Tiba works by utilizing an AI based data processing solution that will help healthcare institutions study, analyse, share a patient’s medical records, and derive insights that will support medical intervention.

The innovation has three modules: the patient, nurse and doctor’s. Considering those without access to the internet, this innovation applies the use of facial recognition features that enables a patient to scan their face, thus making their medical details readily available. The nurse and doctors have access to the files and can make a diagnosis without one physically visiting the hospital.

Did you receive any support? Technical or otherwise?

Amen: Yes yes! Over and above receiving technical support, we received mentorship from Microsoft staff. They checked in and motivated us constantly throughout the twelve weeks.

What challenges did you face?

Jafer: I was faced with a positive challenge, that is, working with unfamiliar people. We were randomly assigned to work with other students from the 47 teams. As the project lead, I had to get to know everyone’s strengths and weakness. I learnt that diversity is good. Each person in my team was uniquely good at what they did. Through that, we were able to succeed and scoop the 1^st Runners up position.

Amen: I too, was challenged to look beyond our differences and work together for the success of the project.

Coming up with a precise topic was also a challenge. Having to figure out and narrow down to the topic that we settled for took quite some time. I mean, good things take time, as they should. Microsoft coaches and mentors were of great help.

A win for us!

The program ended on 17 December 2021, announcing the “M-tiba” innovation by Amen Gemeda and his team as the overall winners while the “Jenner App” innovation by Jafer Abdikadir and his team scooped the first runners up position.

We were awarded gym bags, water bottles, Tech organizers and LinkedIn vouchers, among many other prizes.

Any parting shot?

Amen: Capitalizing on teamwork is key. My team members and I worked towards a shared ambition – to ensure that there is virtual access to health care.

I’d urge my fellow students to pursue all opportunities that are offered by the University. You might stand a chance to win the competition or program.

Jafer: Engaging with Microsoft was never in my wildest dreams. Through this program, I got priceless exposure to the field of studies that I am interested in. The experience was eye opening.

One key moment of realization is how we were constantly encouraged to come up with applicable solutions in relation to the theme. How can our idea be applicable in the future? Truly, this program has shaped me to be open-minded and well prepared me for the professional world.

Congratulations to the winners and the teams that well represented Strathmore. Well deserved!

This article was written by Jemmy Kamau.