In rural Nepal, the biggest challenge for healthcare delivery is the lack of an effective transport infrastructure. Healthcare workers or patients often walk for many hours to reach services and essential supplies are often out of stock.
DrOTS Nepal is designed for the early and rapid diagnosis of new TB cases in Pyuthan through the utilization of drones and smart pillboxes, called MERMS (Medication Event Reminder-Monitors), to support overcoming the access barrier in remote geographically isolated areas and improve treatment adherence/patient compliance. Our network of female community health volunteers use the drones to transport the sputum samples of people with TB symptoms to our laboratories or GeneXpert testing hubs.
This new technology has helped in early and rapid diagnosis of missing TB cases in the communities. Also, case detection has increased considerably in the district.
Bishal Subedi
Chief, Health Office, Pyuthan
Birat Nepal Medical Trust (BNMT Nepal)
Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Ward No. 2
+977 1 4536434. 4528240, 4541918
+977 1 4439108
One of the DrOTS Nepal partners, Nepal Flying Labs has been named winner of the TIACA Air Cargo Sustainability Awards 2020 for the project in the Start-up category. The award aims to celebrate and encourage outstanding industry initiatives driving sustainability in air cargo. TIACA, ‘The International Air Cargo Association’ announced this online on December 10th at the closing of the Air Cargo Forum (ACF).