Chidi Egwuatu from Nigeria wasn’t able to play football or sit in a vehicle for longer than 30 minutes before he started his tuberculosis (TB) treatment. He uses the digital adherence technology (DAT) video observed treatment (VOT) to make sure he takes his medication accordingly. Chidi says: “The video helps me, it reminds me to take my medication on time”.

Worldwide directly observed treatment (DOT) is still used as the standard of care for TB patients. DOT requires daily in-person contact between the patient and the health care worker (HWC), which is financially and infrastructurally burdensome and takes a lot of time. DATs, like VOT can take away some of that burden. The ASCENT project provides VOT by SureAdhere, a mobile application with which a patient can record videos of them taking their medication and send them to their HCW.

Just like Chidi, DAT nurse Maureen Odikaesieme also speaks fondly of VOT: “The patients reside in remote areas… We see them on video and confirm they are taking their medication.”

Watch the 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.