#SFSAIB2019: A long wait for tablets ignited a smart medicine dispenser
THE PAINFUL experience of spending hours in a government hospital queue waiting for chronic medication ignited in young innovator Neo Hutiri the burning idea of designing the innovative Pelebox Smart Lockers which dispenses medication through the use of technology.
“Regarding my background, I trained as an electrical engineer. My passion has always been to make use of technology and assist medicine to make a social impact.
The work that I have always focused my efforts on is ensuring that we can build systems that are authentic, low cost, and focusing on low-income communities,” Hutiri said speaking to African News Agency at the ongoing Science Forum South African Innovation Bridge 2019 (SFSAIB) in Pretoria.
“I started my journey as a patient. There is a problem of long queues. I was waiting to collect my treatment for [tuberculosis] TB at Bophelong Clinic, in the Vaal.”
Hutiri’s Pelebox is a digital platform that manages various internet-enabled smart lockers which dispense medication. The lockers work as a collection point for patients to collect their repeat chronic medication “in under two minutes” without joining the characteristic long winding queues at public health facilities.
“It is a social innovation that leverages the power of technology to improve service delivery and truly offer a patient-centric service,” said Hutiri.
The Pelebox smart lockers are strategically placed at locations including shopping malls and at retail outlets, enabling the patients to pick up their lifesaving medication, while shopping as well. To reap the benefits of Hutiri’s innovation, a patient is enrolled in the local clinic’s collection programme. The patient is then issued with a six months prescription for chronic medication. Pre-packaged medication is loaded into the Pelebox smart locker and the system sends the patient a one-time-pin for collecting the medication at their nearest centre through self-service.
Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Blade Nzimande addressed the thousands of delegates from different parts of the world who have converged in Pretoria for the apex science forum.
This year, the Innovation Bridge (IB) a technology matchmaking and showcasing event, and the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) - previously separate events - have joined forces to in a bid to serve the South African innovation ecosystem.
The IB and the SFSA are taking place under one roof at the CSIR’s International Conference Centre in Pretoria under the theme: Igniting Conversations About Science For Innovation With Impact.