• Damalie Nakanjako, Eisah Kakyama Mayanja, Agnes Semwanga Rwashana, Fred Semitala, Cordelia Katureebe, Mina Ssali, Martin Muddu, and Isaac Ssinabulya.
• Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
• Afr Health Sci. 2022 Aug 1; 22 (Spec Issue): 85-92.

IntroductionKeeping HIV-infected adults away from the health care system during the COVID-19 travel restrictions, presents a challenge to HIV treatment adherence.MethodsThis study focused on the initial two phases where Phase 1 designed a Makerere College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)-based application; and Phase 2 piloted patient enrolment onto the application and determined the feasibility of remote follow-up of patients receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART).ResultsA off/online user application, MakCHS Health app, was developed. Overall, 112 patients [(66(59%) female] receiving ART at Mulago ISS clinic, Kampala, were enrolled onto the MakCHS Health app. Up to 89 (80%) utilized the app to access medical help. Patients' medical queries included needs for drug refills, missed taking HIV medication, medical illnesses, access to COVID-19 vaccination and other personal needs that required clinicians' attention.ConclusionPiloting a MakCHS Health application for patient follow-up was feasible and well-received by HIV treatment providers and patients receiving ART. We recommend scale up of the application to enroll all patients receiving long-term treatment for HIV/AIDS, and subsequently expand to. other HIV treatment programs in similar settings.© 2022 Nakanjako D et al.

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