On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) published a comprehensive review of digital tools to support tuberculosis treatment currently available in Turkmenistan.

For many years, the standard of care for TB patients was a daily visit to a healthcare facility, where a nurse personally supervised the patient's administration of prescribed medications. Today, TB treatment programs are beginning to utilize modern tools, such as smart pillboxes and video support for treatment (VST). The new methods are much more flexible and prioritize patient needs. Instead of visiting a clinic or TB hospital, people can now receive support at home, making the entire process simpler and more convenient.

A smart pillbox is an electronic device for storing medications. It beeps when it's time to take your next dose of TB medication. The system records the exact time the pillbox was opened and transmits this data to a nurse at the healthcare facility. This allows doctors and nurses across the country to remotely monitor whether a patient is taking their medications.

Video-assisted therapy (VST) is a modern alternative to supervised treatment. Patients typically receive medications daily at a medical facility, but VST allows medical staff to monitor this process remotely.

Experience shows that smart pillboxes and VSTs are not a replacement for traditional systems, but a new, highly effective tool. But they must be used wisely. The main value of these technologies is that they allow treatment to be tailored to the individual—reducing stigma, saving time and money, and ultimately empowering those who want to manage their own treatment.

For patients, this is primarily an opportunity to save time and dignity. Most importantly, it eliminates the need to travel daily to a clinic or TB hospital.

You can read the full UNDP review here.