Rwanda: Young Innovators Turn Technology Against Diabetic Amputations
[New Times] The possibility of making an artificial limb for someone she loved was something Prisca Nikuze never wanted to face.
In Rwanda, Prisca Nikuze witnessed the devastating impact of diabetes on her community while still in high school. She watched a family member live with the condition and initially considered studying medicine, but ultimately pursued prosthetics and orthotics at university. It was during her training that she learned diabetes is a leading cause of limb loss.
Nikuze, now a licensed prosthetist and orthotist, developed an interest in technology during her university holidays. She taught herself about the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, and began exploring how these skills could help address the problem of diabetic amputations. Her clinical internship at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) in 2025 solidified her resolve.
Of the 10 patients she assessed and treated, six had diabetes. This experience led her to co-found NEEM, a health-tech initiative aimed at detecting early warning signs of diabetic foot complications before they become severe.
The NEEM smart insole is equipped with pressure and temperature sensors, as well as a sensor to measure blood oxygen saturation. These sensors collect data on pressure changes, temperature variations, and oxygen levels in the feet, which are then analyzed by a microcontroller. If any abnormalities are detected, an alert is sent to both the patient and healthcare provider, allowing for timely intervention.
While the team is confident in the potential of the technology, they acknowledge the need for further research and trials to validate its effectiveness. Nikuze emphasizes the urgency of the issue, sharing the story of a woman who lost both limbs before realizing she had diabetes. She stresses that diabetic complications not only pose a physical threat but also create significant financial burdens and limit opportunities for affected individuals and their families.
The team believes that NEEM has the potential to change lives by enabling early detection and prevention of diabetic amputations.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
