Hi-tech boost to COVID-19 fight at KNH

Hi-tech boost to COVID-19 fight at KNH

By Jacqueline Ngure

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in January last year launched the piloting of smart anti-epidemic robotic solutions to aid the health response and management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya.

The partnership saw UNDP donate three robotic devices, two of which would be placed at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and one in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

At KNH, these devices are now ready for deployment in mapped locations - including Accident & Emergency, as well as the Tower block.

Newsline Interviewed Senior ICT Officer, Francis Wanga, who led the team that has been laying the requisite infrastructure to operationalize the devices.

Mr. Wanga expressed confidence the devices will soon be strolling the corridors of KNH, detecting higher or lower than normal temperatures and fumigating surfaces.

“The mapping stage entailed taking the devices around the Hospital as they drew the maps and then feeding the collected information into the robotic system so that once deployed they will selfcontrol,” Said Wanga.

The smart technology that the robots employ enables the devices to scan the temperatures of people over a wide coverage area and even detect persons not wearing a mask or those not wearing them properly.

The deployment of smart antiepidemic robotic solutions will play an essential role in protecting frontline healthcare workers by limiting direct human contact with patients.

The robots will further support preventive measures and enhance public awareness of COVID-19 preventive measures and generate real-time statistics reports.

The KNH main tower block which receives an enormous number of people, especially during visiting hours will host one of the devices, which will greatly assist our Covid-19 response teams in monitoring temperatures and flagging those that need attention & intervention.

The other robot will be placed at Accident & Emergency, which is our gateway for all patients coming to KNH, and will be programmed to perform scheduled fumigation of surfaces around the department.

So far, the ICT department has trained officers from ICT, Security & Safety, and Public Health departments on the use and control of the devices.

Mr. Wanga also says that they are currently engaging the electrical department in KNH to provide docking stations for the devices, complete with charging ports where the robots will safely dock after traversing the hospital corridors.

Compelling evidence has shown that the use of technology can accelerate the development of COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.

Digital innovations can also strengthen the health and community systems needed to deliver diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines to people in need.

The integration of the robots into the Hospital healthcare systems, will enhance the control of infections, prevent transmissions and support the storage of big data to inform decision making, and preparedness, ultimately contributing to the flattening of the infection curve.

As the world contends with the impact of COVID-19 – a highly infectious virus – frontline healthcare workers remain highly vulnerable due to exposure to the virus’s transmission.

“ The mapping stage entailed taking the devices around the Hospital as they drew the maps and then feeding the collected information into the robotic system so that once deployed they will self-control,” Senior ICT Officer, Francis Wanga

The biggest gain according to Wanga, is the potential of what we can do if we can reprogram the robots and manipulate them for other functions.

“The beauty is the devices are ours for good and therefore the more we get to interact with them, the more we’ll be able to understand them and manipulate their technology for say, taking vitals at triage in A&E,” Wanga adds.

Smart antiepidemic robotic

PHOTO | STEVE MUTUKU