The AHOMKA platform, an innovative mobile app developed through collaboration between the School of Engineering and leading medical institutions in Ghana, has shown promising results in managing patients at high risk for heart attack or stroke. Over eight weeks, participants’ average blood pressure readings dropped from 139/87 mmHG to a more manageable level of 126/83 mmHg. According to data published in the November 2024 Health Sciences Investigations Journal, more than 70% of patients consistently used the digital tool at least weekly to monitor their blood pressure, with this information being stored and shared securely with their healthcare providers.
In Ghana, where physician-to-patient ratios can be as high as 7,000:1, traditional health care visits are insufficient for managing chronic conditions like hypertension. Moreover, nearly all doctors are concentrated in just five regions of the country. This uneven distribution limits access to medical services in rural and remote areas.
“One of our main objectives was to create a platform accessible to people across Ghana from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Valencia Koomson, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the School of Engineering. “AHOMKA had to function without internet connectivity and be cost-effective.”
Koomson began working on this project in 2019 with a focus on developing wearable sensors that could accurately measure vital signs for people with various skin tones, especially in remote telehealth settings. She partnered with cardiologists at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra and Ho Teaching Hospital to develop the AHOMKA mobile app. The name “Ahomka” translates to “good for the soul,” reflecting its intended positive impact on patients.
In addition to monitoring blood pressure, Koomson and her team aimed to enhance health literacy among participants by educating them about hypertension’s dangers and empowering them with confidence in their own readings. They also sought to improve attitudes toward managing chronic conditions through increased understanding of high blood pressure.
AHOMKA was developed for Android devices, designed to work seamlessly with an accompanying blood pressure cuff. The app can store patient data whether connected to Wi-Fi or not, offering flexibility and accessibility in remote areas where internet access might be unreliable. This project has been supported by health technology company Medtronic, which has similar initiatives underway across several African countries.
Feedback from patients and healthcare providers was overwhelmingly positive. Participants appreciated the convenience of using AHOMKA instead of taking time off work or traveling long distances to clinics. Additionally, remote monitoring through the app provided more accurate data compared to in-person visits, where anxiety can artificially elevate blood pressure readings.
“One participant struggled with managing his blood pressure due to lost wages from frequent clinic visits,” Koomson recounted. “Through AHOMKA, his doctor could monitor his results remotely and arrange follow-up tests near home—completing a process in one month that would typically take a year.”
As the trial expands beyond its current 27 participants, Koomson plans to enhance AHOMKA’s compatibility with multiple mobile operating systems. A local software development team based in Ghana will address any urgent issues promptly to ensure sustained user engagement.
Koomson envisions further developments that would allow patients to upload additional medical information like blood test results directly through the app. She also intends to integrate a text messaging system for those without smartphones, enabling interaction with AHOMKA via SMS. Additionally, Koomson plans to create mobile platforms tailored to managing other common health issues in sub-Saharan Africa, such as sickle-cell disease.
