Paul Kankwende

Current Position  

PhD Student at the University of Cape Town

Research Title  

Architectural Framework for Improving Dispensing of Chronic Medications through Automation

Research Overview  

Increasing access to new healthcare technologies leverages the influence of mobile infrastructures, both in emerging and developed countries, and promises to deliver better global healthcare solutions. My research examines how Information Technology (IT) solutions can help address medications accessibility challenges so that patients can be able to access medications without having to travel long distance. The World Health Organization (2013) defines healthcare as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” and this definition should inform approaches to healthcare. Healthcare is an indispensable good, for both individuals and for humanity in general. For individuals, being healthy results in a healthier life and education, improving an individual’s ability to be employable and to secure a higher lifetime pay (White, 2000). Furthermore, workers in good health are less frequently absent from the workplace, and lower levels of absenteeism leads to cost savings for companies (Chu, et al. 2000). For society as a whole, a recovering citizen reduces pressure on overburdened hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals by accessing their medication and treatment using healthcare without the stress of long distance travel and may include taking leave from work (Tashweka, et al. 2006). By ensuring that a society has an effective, accessible healthcare system, economic growth can occur and resulting in clear benefits across society.

Key Themes  

e-Health; Design Science

Publications  

Watch this space!

Qualifications  

MTech in Information Networks (Tshwane University of Technology)

Home Country  

Democratic Republic of Congo