Kenyan Researchers Develop App for Monitoring Chronic Illness

Kenyan researchers and health innovators have unveiled a new mobile application to support the management of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, promising to transform care in underserved communities. The app, called Empower Health, was launched in Nakuru County in collaboration with the local county government, Medtronic Labs, and the World Diabetes Foundation.
Empower Health enables patients to log vital health data — including blood sugar and blood pressure readings — directly from their smartphones, with the system automatically alerting medical staff if readings fall outside safe ranges. The app also supports remote communication between patients and clinicians, offering reminders to check their levels, educational resources, and follow-up alerts if people miss testing or drop adherence
This innovation builds on a broader digital-health model championed by Medtronic LABS, which uses a platform called SPICE to support community health volunteers in screening and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). SPICE integrates decision-support tools, risk scoring, and electronic referrals from communities to clinics.
Health experts say the app could significantly improve disease outcomes and reduce pressure on overburdened clinics by making it easier for patients to self-manage from home. By tracking trends over time, clinicians can proactively intervene for patients who are deteriorating — a move that could help prevent costly complications, reduce hospital visits, and ultimately improve the quality of life for people living with chronic illness.