Ashoka-Lemelson Fellow Hilmi Quraishi introduces Microsoft to innovative tuberculosis solutions

This post contributed by Ashoka's Osman Ashai. The following is Part 2 in a case study series following Ashoka Fellow Hilmi Quraishi's collaboration with Microsoft to use mobile technology to educate the public and health care workers about Tuburculosis prevention and treatment.

Ashoka Fellow Hilmi Quraishi and his organization, ZMQ Software Systems have begun the development of a new mobile application geared to train rural healthcare workers in World Health Organization (WHO) certified Tuberculosis care. The mobile application will run on Windows Mobile and HTC Touch phones, allowing the solution to spread out to the most underserved locations in India. Microsoft Developer Evangelist in Delhi, Bijoy Singhal, recently met with staff from ZMQ Software Systems and was exposed to the plan for the systems-changing solution. He writes:

“I had a very productive discussion with Subhi [from ZMQ Software Systems] about the system and he explained to me the intent and the vision behind the software that they are building. I am very impressed and believe that this is a true example of using technology to bring about changes and impact lives at the grass root levels. In a country like India with a huge rural population – effective use of mobile technology is best way to spread awareness, educate and deliver services in a timely way.

We from Microsoft are proud to see our technology being used to change lives and will do our best to ensure that we help remove any technical hurdle that comes in the way. I am sure Hilmi and his team will break new ground in improving lives through their efforts."

For more on Hilmi Quraishi and his mobile phone games that teach players about AIDS/HIV, check out this post on Ashoka's Changemakers blog.

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