Three University of Zimbabwe students — Buphilo Ndlovu, Takemore Mazuruse and Tichapiwa Zishiri working with their lecturer Reggemore Marongedze — have developed a digital health application called Chronicare as part of the higher learning institution’s research innovation and industrialisation week.
According to Mazuruse, the mobile health application, which allows for digital interaction between patients and doctors through telemedicine will be pitched both to the public and private sector health industry stakeholders as a way to tap into the digital opportunities in health promotion as well as aiding chronic disease management.
“In response to government’s education 5.0 drive, we want to ensure that our innovations add value to our national aspirations at the same time providing ready solutions to those that provide readily available, accurate and reliable health information especially related to chronic disease management. This is a tailor-made health communication intervention which is global in outlook,” he said.
“The Chronicare mobile health app comes with various facets among them a dashboard that allows patients to monitor their health, a medication scheduling facility, a chatbot that allows patients to enquire on key areas of interest as well as a blog sharing relevant health news as shared by official and reputable health stakeholders locally and internationally.”
Nldovu said they were proud to introduce some exciting innovations as part of their practical learning and hoped that this project contributes to chronic disease management at the same time aiding government and private sector health management efforts.
“We are all duty bound in ensuring a healthier and thriving nation and true to the ‘everyone hands on deck’ call by government and the president, we are happy to play our part towards a healthier and productive Zimbabwe,” Ndlovu said.
“As Masters in Digital Humanities students, we are learning a lot of digital tools that are coming in handy in our professional careers and we hope to ride on that new found skillset to aid our local health sector.”
Zishiri corroborated Ndlovu’s sentiments highlighting the need enhance health communication through provision of personalised and relevant health information.
“This medical journalism project, which falls under our collective and broad health communication drive named Health.Comm is designed to enhance human health communication through provision of personalised health information, resources and support with a view to empower individuals to make informed health decisions while addressing the growing demand for accessible health services,” he said.
Key objectives of this innovation include improved health literacy, user engagement as well as sustainable monetisation.
Key features of Chronicare mobile health app include health guidance, resource library, symptom checker, subscription services, corporate partnerships, in-app advertising and affiliate marketing to bridge the gap between individuals and essential health information,” she said.
The Chronicare app, which was a big hit with many delegates at the three-day Research Innovation and Industrialisation Week also aims at improving overall health literacy and empowering users to take charge of their well-being.
By integrating monetisation strategies, the project seeks to create a sustainable model that supports continuous innovation and outreach, thereby enhancing public health outcomes through empowering individuals, enhancing health literacy and promoting a culture of wellness in the digital age.