Nugusse, who rides horse drawn carriages for a living in Ethiopia, successfully completed his tuberculosis (TB) treatment using a digital adherence technology (DAT), the smart pillbox, provided by the ASCENT project. TB patients often struggle taking their prescribed medication every day. DATs are designed to help them with their medication adherence, in a way that relieves burden from the patient and the health care facility. 

In this video, Nugusse speaks fondly of the smart pillbox. He says: “I was very sick with TB, and now I am cured. … The box’s alarm rings every morning at 8:00 AM. This helped me to take my medication on time.”

He continues by explaining how the DAT works and that his health care provider gets notified when he has taken his medication. “I benefited a lot from this technology. Thanks again, my respect!”

Watch the full video here:

The Unitaid-funded and supported ASCENT project is led by KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation in partnership with The Aurum Institute, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and PATH.