Digital Services for autoimmune patients
In a developing country like Bangladesh, there are often a lot of socio-economic issues that engulfs us, leaving us limited scope to pay attention to diseases related to Rheumatology. There are people across all age groups and income level in Bangladesh that suffers from the disease, feels isolated and are not aware of treatment available. The goal of the proposed project is to develop an ecosystem of digital services for the benefit of Rheumatic autoimmune patients powered by artificial intelligence and delivered through user friendly mobile application. The project will essentially have four components namely- 1) Assessment of services, resources and facilities relevant to Rheumatic autoimmune patients; 2) Intervention modules 3) Artificial intelligence (AI) model; 4) Mobile application. The users will interact with a free and easy to use android mobile application and access the necessary services.
In a country like Bangladesh, where the population is very high, a large number of people are living in the capital city of Dhaka. There is an increasing number of identified Autoimmune Disorder Patients (AIDPs) in Bangladesh. An autoimmune disease is a condition in which immune system mistakenly attacks the body. The immune system normally guards against germs like bacteria and viruses. Some of the more common conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes, and ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. It is often difficult to get an accurate diagnosis of disease due ignorance and lack of information for patients in countries like Bangladesh. Autoimmune conditions are a leading cause of disability and death in the world as well as in Bangladesh.
The development in science in the last 20 years in diagnosis, test, medication and treatment has led to better facilitation of treatment across the world. In Bangladesh, the situation is also improving. However, there are people across all age groups and income level in Bangladesh that suffers from the disease, feels isolated and are not aware of treatment available. In addition, general suggestions by specialized doctors and tailored services are scarce.
The proposed solution is to develop an ecosystem of digital services for the benefit of Rheumatic autoimmune patients in Bangladesh. The project will undertake an assessment of needs, existing facilities, medical services and location of the services available for Rheumatic autoimmune patients. Intervention modules including suggestions, recommendations being therapeutic and psychological in nature will be developed; including advice regarding where to access necessary services based on the location of the patient and potential cost to health care. An Artificial intelligence (AI) based model will be designed and developed that will automatically interact with users/patients and use the intervention modules to deliver service(s). The users will interact with a free and easy to use android mobile application and access the necessary services. We believe that the the situation can be improved by creating network and support group to provide general suggestions to such patients regarding their health improvement which is not prevailing or available presently. The project team believes that efficient information, knowledge and resource sharing could mitigate the suffering of AIDPs. In addition, it is important, to create a mechanism where AIDPs can access specialist doctor advices.
The project is expected to impact all the major stakeholders in area including 1) patients; 2) Health care professional including doctors and nurses; and 3) society as a whole. The intervention will advance auto immune disease mitigation in Bangladesh. This will be through providing expanded access to services including suggestion, information and educational materials to patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. In addition, the use of AI model complimented by service modules and mobile service delivery application are innovative solutions and can be expected to yield improved service quality, reduce mobility requirement for patients, reduce the burden of cost since the services are free and patients can access from the comfort of their home 24x7. In addition, the recommended suggestions regarding available physical facilities and other services in different geographic locations for patients who requires them (based on the service assessment) will further enhance awareness and access to services for patients.
The project will help healthcare professionals to improve projections, forecast and management of treatment, availability of medication and services. In addition, the project can increase the overall awareness among the general population; and encourage networking and collaboration between service providers including healthcare professionals.
- Leverage big data and analytics to improve the detection and diagnosis of rare diseases
The problem to be addressed and the solution suggested are aligned with all the criteria of the call. The patients with auto immune disorder which is a rare disease are spread all across Bangladesh and lacks support services. Furthermore, the solution proposed is based on AI and analytics. The intervention is expected foster collaboration between all stakeholders including the health services providers, patients and overall society to deliver a support systems for autoimmune disorder patients in Bangladesh. In addition, the project team includes autoimmune disorder patient and specialist doctors.
- Concept: An idea being explored for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model based on that idea.
The project is in the initial exploratory stage. The project will be jointly conducted by Nodes Digital Limited, a technology start up, Dr. Atiqul Islam, a renowned autoimmune disorder specialist and former president of Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology; and Ms. Farheen Hassan, a long time autoimmune disorder patient. This consortium has already conducted initial research on the issue and engage other stakeholders in engineering solutions.
- A new business model or process that relies on technology to be successful
The solution will expand access to services including suggestion, information and educational materials to patients suffering from autoimmune diseases in Bangladesh. In addition, the use of AI model complimented by service modules and mobile service delivery application are innovative solutions and can be expected to yield improved service quality, reduce mobility requirement for patients, reduce the burden of cost since the services are free and patients can access from the comfort of their home 24x7. In addition, the recommended suggestions regarding available physical facilities and other services in different geographic locations for patients who requires them (based on the service assessment) will further enhance awareness and access to services for patients.
The core technology behind the solution is artificial intelligence based machine learning software and service delivery mobile application. The software will be developed using to keep human-in-the-loop or HITL (human-centric design) and combining the advantages of the recent state-of-the-art AI and ML technologies.
AI and ML technology are been increasingly adopted to provide innovative solutions in variety of fields including healthcare.
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- Software and Mobile Applications
In the context of the proposed solution on how AI and ML technology there is no prevailing risk.
The solution is in the concept stage.
Target Audience
After 1 Year
After 5 year
Physicians
50
500
Health Professionals
100
5000
Patients
1000
10000
Other (please specify) -General Population including family members
3000
25000
The project will run at the beginning for 6 months within the Dhaka city. Gradually, it will be extended to the divisional cities of Bangladesh. Under the divisional cities, it will gather the patients from the rural areas. There will be a small charge for becoming member/part of the community. In future, the other support group worldwide will relate to this community which will enable the creation of a local and global platform for the autoimmune disorder patients. The project team expects to generate sufficient traction that sponsorship from corporate bodies can be attained to support the initiative in the future.
- To create awareness among the patients, family members, community, society and the country as whole on the autoimmune disorder disease
- To bring the patients under one umbrella through this digital AI ecosystem for counselling, peer group support.
- To bring the patients under one umbrella through this digital AI ecosystem to make the latest information of remedy, medication, self-remedy, management of pain and others, treatment available to them.
- There will be four workshops conducted with an approximate participation of 50 individuals including AIDP patients and family members, specialists including doctors and community stake holders.
- The project will undertake an audit of needs of AIDPs, existing facilities, and services availability for AIDPs in Dhaka city.
- Intervention strategies including suggestions, recommendations, customized telemedicine model to improve the living conditions of AIDPs in the community will be developed.
- AI software and android mobile application will provide suggestion, information and a networking opportunity among AIDPs and their families in Bangladesh.