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Tuberculosis is a major public health concern in India. It is a communicable disease with a prolonged period of treatment, and failure in adherence will result in recurrence and in some cases, bacteria develop resistance to the drug increasing the morbidity and mortality associated with TB. Directly Observed Therapy – Short Course, recommended by World Health Organization calls for a standardized treatment regimen directly observed by a healthcare worker or community health worker, along with other mandates. The Government of India implements DOTS in India through its Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program. However, availability of human resources to directly observe the treatment protocol of the increasing number of TB patients, especially in the rural areas, remains a challenge.

There is a pertinent need for an innovative system that enables monitoring of treatment adherence with minimal input of human resources. Can technology help us overcome the hurdles and enable us to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with TB? This initiative, mHealth for Drug Adherence and Patient Follow-up system, strives to address this public health challenge.

To reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with Tuberculosis (TB), IITM's RTBI and CMC Vellore partnered together to develop a mobile based mHealth for Drug Adherence & Patient Follow-Up System for Tuberculosis patient.