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Research unveils technology to boost pediatric healthcare in Rwanda

By Esther Muhozi
On 23 March 2024 at 11:24

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), a Swiss organization promoting healthcare on an international scale, has presented the results of research on technology that can be utilized to simplify the provision of healthcare to children in Rwanda, contributing to the medical decisions made by clinicians.

This technology, known as the ’Electronic Clinical Decision Support Algorithm (CDSA)’, was employed in the DYNAMIC Project.

The project was implemented by Swiss TPH in collaboration with Rwanda Biomedical Center and Unisante and is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. It aims at improving pediatric healthcare for children under the age of 15, in primary healthcare centers in Rwanda. It plays a role in reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

The project focused on decreasing the prescription of these medications and preventing their provision to patients who should not receive them, considering the negative side effects on the body, such as diarrhea, and the risk of high dosage consumption leading to antibiotic resistance in the body due to microbes developing immunity against the medication.

The technology utilizes a tablet operated by the clinician, featuring clinical decision support, which provides all necessary information for healthcare, from patient examination, required tests, to the prescription of medications.

Upon entering the patient’s information, including weight, height, and other measurements, the doctor can input symptoms into the system, which then correlates all the information, presenting the clinician with questions based on the patient’s provided data for further inquiry.

It then guides the clinician by displaying all possible diagnoses based on the patient’s information, suggesting necessary tests if needed, and advising on the appropriate medications. However, this does not replace the clinician’s need to analyze the information provided by the technology in conjunction with their medical expertise.

Currently, this technology is used in 39 health centers across the Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts. During the research period of over two years, children treated with this technology were monitored alongside those treated without it.

Results indicated that the use of this technology reduced the prescription of antibiotics by 46%, from 70.5% to 24.5%, without negatively affecting the healing rates of treated children, who continued to recover at the same rate.

Furthermore, the technology ensures the delivery of quality healthcare, as it prevents the clinician from overlooking any details based on the patient’s information, addressing issues commonly encountered in traditional methods where details might be forgotten when recorded manually.

Alexandra Kulinkina, the Project Leader at Swiss TPH, expressed confidence that if the Rwandan government would consider implementing this project at scale, it would enhance pediatric healthcare in Rwanda.

She said, "We hope this research will be considered in the development of new strategic plans and other programs by the Rwandan government. We plan to continue to hold joint meetings to discuss how the findings of this research can benefit more people."

Byiringiro Jean Paul, the Health Director for Nyamasheke District, noted that the technology had yielded positive results in his district, suggesting the government should consider its adoption in other districts.

He mentioned, "Another wish is that it wouldn’t just be in Nyamasheke and Rusizi, but that the Ministry of Health would expand it to other districts as well."

Dr. Muhammed Semakula, Director of Planning, Evaluation, and Finance at the Ministry of Health, representing Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, stated that since 85% of all diseases are treated at primary healthcare facilities in Rwanda, which are still being empowered, this technology could impact many lives.

If adopted in health centers nationwide, it could also reduce the budget allocated for purchasing unnecessary antibiotics, allowing those funds to be invested in other beneficial areas for the Rwandan people.

The project focused on decreasing the prescription of these medications and preventing their provision to patients who should not receive them, considering the negative side effects on the body.
This technology, known as the 'Electronic Clinical Decision Support Algorithm (CDSA)', was employed in the DYNAMIC Project.
The Director General of RBC Prof. Claude Mambo Muvunyi also attended the event.
Alexandra Kulinkina, the Project Leader at Swiss TPH.
It was a good opportunity to exchange ideas among researchers and participants.

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