Guardians of the antibiotics (GotA)

Utilizing a mobile phone app in conjunction with a smart pill bottle to address inconsistent use and overuse of antimicrobials. 

Van Droogenbroeck Ibe

A student at Sint-Lodewijkscollege in Bruges, Belgium.

An easy and reliable method for gathering data on inconsistent and excessive antimicrobial usage could aid in identifying and combating the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Presently, real-time forecasting models for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are lacking. Additionally, patient behavior significantly contributes to the propagation of AMR through non-biological mechanisms. As of 2023, our comprehension of AMR remains incomplete, for example, in our understanding of the effects of co-selection. The World Health Organization (WHO) includes AMR among the top 10 threats to global health. Should pathogens develop resistance to antimicrobials, minor accidents, injuries, and common illnesses could potentially escalate to life-threatening conditions.

That's why a data-driven system, which is affordable, adaptable, straightforward, and scalable, could revolutionize our comprehension and management of AMR and its outbreaks.

My solution serves a diverse audience, including patients, scientists, policymakers, and potentially farmers in the future. For patients, the app offers a user-friendly interface with personalized medication reminders, promoting adherence and preventing antimicrobial resistance. Scientists benefit from real-time data collection, aiding in AMR research and trend analysis. Policymakers leverage anonymized data to inform strategic healthcare policies on a global scale.

Engaging users actively, I value feedback channels, ensuring the app evolves in response to user needs and experiences. This collaborative approach guarantees that my solution remains dynamic, effective, and responsive in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

"Guardians of the Antibiotics" will help peolpe in various ways. A first important "public good" this system delivers is knowledge about AMR and its consequences to the app's users.

Furthermore, the collection and usage of anonymized data will transform healthcare for patients, practitioners, scientists, and policymakers. For example, part of the collected data could be shared with scientists to come up with innovative approaches regarding medicines, treatments, etc. Also, policymakers could make use of real-time outbreak data to improve logistics in a certain area, interventions, implementation of new or temporary laws or policies, etc.

The app will also help in raising awareness of AMR and its consequences. When a broader public is informed, this could lead to a greater interest by the public and therefore push policymakers to invest more time in applying new policies regarding AMR as well as extra investments streaming towards AMR research and innovation.

With an ever-growing number of people having access to the online world, it's easier than ever before to reach a big audience. And with a challenge as important as AMR, which is predicted to be the biggest cause of death by 2050, a big audience is exactly what's needed. While the whole world seems to be moving to the digital world, why shoudn't healthcare follow? 

Duolingo made learning, classically seen as very boring, fun and interesting with over 500 million registered users. Why couldn't taking care of your health and dodging possibly the biggest health treath of the 21st century be fun and interesting to? 

I believe that with the help of the healthcare industry, policy makers and community leaders this solution could revolutionize a health treath that most of us had never heard of before.

Over the next year, I hope to initiate a pilot phase for the project, while also scaling it's impact via partnerships with healthcare and technology companies, healthcare orginazations, government agencies, hospitals and communities. These partnerships will not only provide valuable feedback on the system but also help to raise awarness about AMR. Additionally, both the app and the smart pill bottle will undergo continuous improvement during this period. Furthermore, I plan on searching for possible investors to support the project's growth.

Over the next 3 years, I hope to have further expanded the project's impact via strategic partnerships and investments from induviduals and organizations who share the vision of the creation of a healthier world for all.

I measure success against my impact goals via key performance indicators (KPIs), such as app downloads, time spent on the platform, active users, and the frequency of app usage. I'm always open to feedback from users, healthcare institutions, and partnerships to improve the app's efficiency and user satisfaction.

To ensure that this solution stays up-to-date in this rapidly evolving online world, I will conduct surveys among users to better understand their needs and proposed improvements. This way, my solution remains responive and drives meaningfull impact in our fight against AMR.

Ever since I was a toddler, I've been passionate about inventing. I consider myself a problem solver, driven by a desire to contribute positively to society, the world and its people. This is why topics such as climate change, the cities of the future, plastic pollution, algae, hyperloop, and more fascinate me deeply. However, due to my age, it's challenging to garner belief in my ideas, let alone find collaborators.

Inventing has always felt natural to me; the solutions simply materialize in my mind. It's not just work; it's an obsession to explore these solutions.

My mind remains brimming with inventions, and thanks to my 'superpower,' I regularly conceive new solutions for modern-day problems.

I've taken on this challenge in the hope of generating momentum and finding avenues to share my inventions for the benefit of everyone.

We welcome collaboration with organizations willing to contribute and add value to the development, scaling, and implementation of our project, sharing a common vision and mission. Engaging with diverse expertise from universities, research institutions, technology companies, and other health partners will pave the way for a more impactful and scalable implementation of our solution.

Collaboration with funds and foundations that align with our vision for a healthier world can offer financial support and valuable networking opportunities. Additionally, working in partnership with healthcare institutions provides access to crucial resources, data, and global visibility, further enhancing the success and reach of our initiative.