Biometrics & finger-printing successfully combat Tuberculosis

Using low-cost biometric technology, Operation ASHA (Hope in Hindi), has been able to successfully monitor and track TB patients in the slums of India. To ensure compliance with strict TB medication regimes, ASHA enters the finger-prints of patients into a biometric device. At the end of the day ASHA then prints out a list of patients who missed scheduled doses, and follows up with them. As a result, ASHA has been able to effectively track and monitor over 1,300 patients in the slums of Dehli, reducing the default rate to 3%. Such a default rate was previously thought impossible for such populations, and is key to preventing the spread of deadly drug resistant strains of TB. By employing biometric solutions to combat TB, ASHA has also had operational benefits including the reduction in cost of treatment per patient, improved staff productivity, and increased transparency. To learn more visit Operation ASHA.