Varsity team wins Microsoft contest

A mobile-based medical application has won the Game of Learners (GOL) competition sponsored by Microsoft’s Africa Development Centre.

Dubbed RemD (short form for Remote Doctor), the app was developed by five students from Dedan Kimathi, Multimedia, Strathmore and Mt Kenya universities.

The challenge was to demonstrate the application of technology in developing e-health systems that will enable patients to access normal medical services remotely.

RemD uses technology to avail a set of tools and services that aim to bring health care services to a user or an organization.

The winning team had Daniel Katungi (Mt Kenya), Sandra Makena (Dedan Kimathi), Joshua Melita (Strathmore), Cyndrella Wafula of Multimedia and was led by Microsoft Student Ambassador Joshua Ndemenge from Dedan Kimathi.

Interact with users

“Any user seeking medical services can access our services through the mobile app or the USSD app, while the doctor on the other end can interact with these users using the Windows app,” said team leader Ndemenge.

ADC Managing Director Jack Ngare congratulated all the 25 participating students, noting that some of the projects presented had big potential for commercialisation and Microsoft was willing to support them achieve that dream.

Apart from RemD, the other projects submitted included Tribore, MediChap, Mizizi and Motion, all showcasing various solutions on different technology platforms.

“While access to healthcare has been a key concern in Africa for ages, the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the impetus to discover new technology solutions that will enable health providers handle an influx of people who get sick,” said Mr Ngare.

“It is encouraging to see the young generation and innovators harnessing the technology they have access to in developing solutions for the industry.”