Brian Gitta is a talented software engineer who suffered from malaria. His malaria went undiagnosed for several months, even after undergoing multiple blood tests.
To keep the same thing from happening to other people, Gitta invented a device called Matibabu, which means "treatment" in Swahili. Matibabu detects malaria without the hassle of drawing blood, and it does not need a specialist to operate it.
Instead, all someone has to do is shine Matibabu's red light on their finger, and the device will examine that person's red blood cells. Matibabu then immediately sends the results to the person's phone.
Sounds highly effective and genius, right?
According to OkayAfrica, that very invention earned Gitta the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation! Gitta made double-history by becoming the youngest person and first Ugandan to win the prize.
24-year-old #Uganda software engineer has won the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Brian Gitta is the first Ugandan to win the prestigious Africa Prize,and the youngest winner.
Gitta and his team developed Matibabu,a device which tests for malaria without drawing blood. pic.twitter.com/Aiq0Sv7p62— TUJAGUZE AFRICA (@africa_tujaguze) June 14, 2018
Gitta will receive $33,000, along with mentorship, funding and continued support for his invention.
"Matibabu is simply a game-changer," Africa Prize for Engineering Judge Rebecca Enonchong noted in a statement. "It's a perfect example of how engineering can unlock development — in this case by improving healthcare."
Congrats to Brian Gitta! Ugandan excellence!
