In an effort to promote better healthcare services in Tanzania, a team of researchers from the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) recently introduced their innovative web-based system, SmartTB, to healthcare professionals in Mwanza. Led by Ms. Joan Jonathan, a member of staff from the Department of Informatics and Information Technology (DIIT), the team received funding from the SUA Research and Innovation Support (SUARIS I) on the project titled “Prediction of Diagnostic Accuracy Using Big Data Analytics and Visualizations from Trained African Giant Pouched Rats for Tuberculosis Detection at SUA APOPO”.
SmartTB aims to support healthcare providers and TB patients by promoting adherence to treatment among people living with tuberculosis in Tanzania. The system is a product of extensive research and development efforts by the team, and the workshop provided an opportunity to showcase the system’s features and receive feedback from healthcare professionals.
The workshop, held at Sekou Toure Hospital Hall on Thursday, March 30, 2023, was attended by healthcare professionals from the Sekou Toure hospital, Ilemela, and Nyamagana districts. The participants were introduced to the SmartTB system and invited to evaluate its performance and suggest enhancements. The feedback from the workshop was crucial in helping the team improve the system and ensure that it meets the needs of healthcare providers and patients in Tanzania.
Ms. Joan Jonathan and her team have demonstrated the importance of going back to the users involved to get feedback on research outputs. By showcasing their innovation and inviting feedback from healthcare professionals, the team has set a new standard for promoting innovation and collaboration in healthcare services in Tanzania. The SmartTB system is poised to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare services in the country and is a testament to the transformative power of research and innovation.
