The AHOMKA platform, an innovative mobile app designed for patient-to-provider communication developed through collaboration between the School of Engineering and leading medical institutions in Ghana, has shown positive results among patients at high risk for heart attack or stroke.
Over eight weeks, participants’ average blood pressure readings decreased from 139/87 mmHG to a more manageable 126/83 mmHg. In this pilot study, over 70% of the patients consistently used the digital tool at least weekly to measure their blood pressure—data that was stored and shared with their doctors as reported in the November 2024 Health Sciences Investigations Journal.
“In Ghana, where we have up to 7,000 patients per physician, traditional health care visits are insufficient for managing chronic conditions like hypertension,” said senior author Valencia Koomson, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. Additionally, with 80% of doctors concentrated in just five regions, the unequal distribution across Ghana limits access to healthcare for rural and remote areas.
One of their priorities was building a platform accessible to all socioeconomic groups within Ghana—functional without Internet access and cost-effective. Koomson began the project in 2019 aiming to create devices that capture vital signs accurately, regardless of skin tone or location. She partnered with cardiologists at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra and Ho Teaching Hospital in Ho to develop AHOMKA.
“Ahomka” means “good for the soul” in Ghanaian language. Besides monitoring blood pressure, Koomson aimed to educate patients about hypertension risks, boost their confidence in taking readings, and promote healthy habits—a significant aspect of health literacy considering some stigma is associated with having hypertension.
The AHOMKA app developed for Android devices can store patient data even without a Wi-Fi connection. In collaboration with health technology company Medtronic, similar projects were supported in several African countries. Follow-up surveys showed patients appreciated not needing to miss work or travel long distances and doctors found remote monitoring more accurate than face-to-face visits.
One participant mentioned struggling due to lost wages from clinic visits, but now his doctor could view results remotely and arrange quicker follow-ups nearby. As the trial expands beyond the current 27 patients, Koomson plans to make AHOMKA compatible with multiple mobile operating systems. A software development team in Ghana will address issues promptly.
Koomson envisions further developments including uploading medical information or chatting with chatbots on health concerns through AHOMKA. Plans include integrating a text messaging system for non-smartphone users and creating platforms to support sickle-cell disease management, common in sub-Saharan Africa.
