UKZN pilots smart diabetes device to help elderly manage medication
By Levy Masiteng
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has introduced a smart diabetes management device at Umdoni Retirement Village to help older residents manage their medication more effectively, with the first rollout seeing 10 devices donated.
UKZN said the Umdoni Diabetes Project was developed by its Electronic Engineering and Computer Engineering discipline to address a common challenge faced by older patients: remembering to take insulin correctly and on time.
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The project was developed through a collaboration between final-year design student Kwanele Dladla, Principal Technician Divesh Maharaj and Professor Tom Walingo.
The initiative combines technology and community engagement to support residents living with diabetes, including those who face memory-related conditions and complex treatment routines.
The project began after Umdoni representatives, led by local advocate Bob Abel, approached UKZN for assistance. The university said the EECE team recognised an opportunity to apply engineering skills to a practical community need and worked through a collaborative design process focused on real-world challenges.
“This wasn’t innovation for its own sake,” Walingo said. “It was about solving a problem that directly affects people’s lives.”
The compact and portable device incorporates insulin pen holders, a rechargeable battery and visual and audible alert systems to prompt users when it is time to administer their medication, helping to reduce uncertainty and the risk of missed or incorrect doses.
UKZN said affordability was a guiding principle during development, with production costs kept low so the technology could eventually be scaled and made accessible to a wider population.
After extensive laboratory testing, prototypes were evaluated in real-world conditions at the retirement village over several months. Feedback from residents and caregivers helped ensure the final product was reliable and user-friendly.
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Funding for the project was facilitated by the UKZN Foundation, enabling the first rollout of 10 donated devices to Umdoni Retirement Village.
“Beyond its technical capabilities, the device restores a sense of independence to its users. For elderly individuals who may otherwise rely heavily on caregivers, the system offers reassurance and autonomy,” Maharaj said.
“We envision expanding the system into a fully integrated smart medication dispenser capable of managing multiple treatments,” Dladla said.
UKZN said discussions were also underway to formalise partnerships with local government, including a potential memorandum of understanding with Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, to increase the project’s reach and extend the benefits of the innovation to more communities.
