Alex: “I really like the system”
Alex* was enrolled under the KNCV-led and Stop TB Partnership funded TB REACH project in Tanzania which introduced 99DOTS (medication sleeves) as a Digital Adherence Technology (DAT) in the gold mining Geita region in northwestern Tanzania.
Alex* (35 years), a miner and TB patient, was enrolled on the 99DOTS system. Since the start of his treatment, he takes his medication daily. When interviewed on his experience with 99DOTS, he said “After I was diagnosed with TB, I was registered to a program where I have to make a free phone call every day after taking the pills. The doctors gave me my medication, which came in an envelope with hidden numbers, and I was asked to call this after taking my medication”.
Alex points out that his improved adherence of the medication is rooted in the 99DOTS system. He also understands the implication of missing a dose better. Alex had an adherence of 99%, and states that this can be attributed to the 99DOTS system automated reminder messages, which has been very helpful in reminding him to take his medication on the days he forgets.
Alex says “We, who work in the mines, are usually very busy. We go out in the morning and come back in the evening, it is very easy to forget taking your drugs on days like that. It happened to me the other day. I forgot to take my medication. Late in the evening, I received a message, politely reminding me to take the drugs and make the call. That really helped me, I took the drugs and made the call. I really like the system; it has even created friendship between me and the health worker. He shows me my adherence calendar when I come to the facility for my drugs, it’s completely green and I want to keep it up!”
Patient adherence calendar for Riziki William from the 99DOTS platform.
These TB REACH projects are the predecessor of the ASCENT project, that is funded by Unitaid.
The Unitaid funded and supported ASCENT project is led by KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation in consortium with The Aurum Institute, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and PATH. It is implemented in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ukraine, the Philippines and South Africa. The aim of the project is to make digital adherence technologies available to all TB patients worldwide.
* Patient name changed to respect privacy.
**Article originally published by the ASCENT project can be accessed here.