Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose an urgent global public health threat, but the rapid advancements in information and communication technology (ICT) offer unprecedented opportunities to tackle this challenge more effectively. The revolutionary progress and diversification of ICT have the potential to transform TB prevention and care in ways previously unimaginable. By early 2020, there were nearly 10 billion mobile phone connections worldwide, with over  50% of the world’s population online. As smartphones increasingly replace traditional mobile phones, they open up new avenues for digital health applications across the spectrum of TB care, from surveillance to eLearning. 

Digital Health and TB Care

The World Health Organization (WHO) places digital health at the core of its End TB Strategy. WHO supports countries in leveraging digital technologies to provide people-centered care, improve access to information, and enhance TB prevention and treatment. This support includes promoting research, analyzing evidence, updating guidance, sharing knowledge and resources, and offering technical support to countries.

Key Technological Innovations

• Active TB Drug Safety Monitoring and Management (aDSM): The WHO’s aDSM framework, issued in 2015, emphasizes the need for active and systematic clinical and laboratory assessments of patients for AEs, timely management of AEs, and standardized data collection and reporting. Despite its importance, many low—and middle-income countries struggle to scale up aDSM due to resource constraints. mHealth can facilitate real-time reporting and management of AEs, enabling healthcare providers to monitor patient symptoms remotely and provide timely interventions.

• Patient Support and Adherence: mHealth applications can provide personalized treatment support to TB patients, reminding them to take medications and report any adverse effects promptly. By linking patients with healthcare providers through smartphones, mHealth can improve adherence to treatment regimens, which is crucial for managing RR/MDR-TB. Early identification and management of AEs through mHealth can prevent treatment interruptions and improve long-term outcomes.

• Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Implementing electronic health records (EHRs) can streamline patient management and improve the efficiency of healthcare services. EHRs allow for the secure storage and easy retrieval of patient information, enabling healthcare providers to make informed decisions quickly. Additionally, EHRs can facilitate data sharing among different healthcare facilities, ensuring continuity of care.

• Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Advanced data analytics and AI can play a crucial role in TB surveillance and management. These technologies can analyze large datasets to identify patterns, predict outbreaks, and optimize resource allocation. AI-powered tools can also assist in diagnosing TB by analyzing medical images and patient data, improving the accuracy and speed of diagnosis.

Conclusion

Harnessing technology, particularly mHealth, for TB prevention in resource-constrained areas holds significant promise. By facilitating real-time AE monitoring, improving treatment adherence, enhancing data collection, and supporting healthcare provider training, mHealth can play a crucial role in advancing TB care. The WHO’s commitment to promoting digital health as part of the End TB Strategy underscores the importance of these innovations in combating TB globally. As technology continues to evolve, its integration into TB control programs will be essential for achieving better health outcomes and reducing the TB burden in the most vulnerable populations.