Lots of reverence is accorded to innovations made by university students and the elites in Uganda, like the Kiira EV project by Makerere University, and other projects executed by professionals. But did you ever wonder what a high school student could invent? Gift Arnold Mugisha, 18, a student of Uganda Martyrs Secondary School, Namugongo, devised a machine which can dispense drugs to a patient on the right dosage, give them water to take the drugs, speak to them in the language they prefer, take photos of their current situation, and send texts to caretakers wherever they are; in case the patient’s condition becomes critical. I had a chance to hear from this genius mind.
First off, where it all began,
“I realised that I had a great love for innovations back at St. Kagwa Primary School in Bushenyi. That is when I made my first innovation — which was the best in Uganda, in a competition organised by ministry of education.” The lad explained.
Curious on what kind of what a primary school pupil can make, I asked Mugisha exactly what his first innovation was about,
“I made an electric smart paper cutting device that would cut papers automatically and electronically. You could interact with it using gestures and voice commands, and it would cut upto 20 papers at a go. I have since then created new versions. Smart device it is! ” The young man boastfully reiterated.
To my surprise, Mugisha made other innovations that went unnoticed by many — such an unsung hero!
“I made a rocket that would take off and move at speeds of mach 11, and this has been tested many times and it’s going to evolve so that we may fulfill Uganda’s Vision 2040. I worked on thermogeneration too; generating energy from heat from our bodies and during cooking.”
About what inspired him to make the Automatic Drug Dispenser Machine, the young man says,
“My grandmother died because she missed her dose. And one time I read in the papers about the stipulated, catastrophic drug resistance in Uganda’s health sector. This induced in me the idea to create my first prototype.” He said.
The device has an audio module, GSM capabilities, emergency module, and visual module; which all together enable it to: give the right dosage to the patient at the right time, talk to the user in the language he or she understands in order to give psychological comfort, monitor the situation, so that the caretaker can directly talk to the patient. A live stream is sent to the doctor if any motion is detected and according to the doctor’s will.
The device gives a glass of water on each dispensing, and gives another cup on demand, but limits the patient to get more. An emergency button sends emergency information to the doctor on press when the patient is in a critical state. Also, the patient can directly talk to the doctor even if they are far apart, all around the world.
The device runs on both the mains and the battery and has LED bulbs for battery status. It has a blinking green light which notifies the deaf on each dispensing, and a screen for on-screen instructions and directions. It’s 4 × 4 keypad is used for information input, and it also has a pathway for relaying drugs to the patient; to prevent direct contact with medical practitioners, in case of a contagious disease outbreak.
According to the former St. Joseph’s Vocational School, Mbarara student, the device which he invented a few months ago in his Senior Four vacation, targets people suffering from dementia, children, the elderly, people with terminal illness, people who have undergone surgery, those in areas hit with contagious diseases, and those in areas with a high nurse-to-patient ratio.
Mugisha is proud that his innovation won a prize against professors from all over the world, at an innovations event in Windhoek, Namibia. He has consequently met new mentors ever since, including Professor Mike Uzoka, Patrick Yerinde, Oskar Nyland from Norway, and Christopher Aune.
“The device took me about 700 US Dollars to build. Most of the challenges I have are about finances and technical support.
“I hereby reach out to all interested individuals and organization to come on board so that we develop the project,” said the young man, in a rather calm tone.
Mugisha dreams to create a company and a manufacturing facility for the automated dispenser, and also to study genetics after his high school. Just like he begged, I use the same tone to project: anyone that wishes to support should please get on board!
You must be logged in to post a comment.