A diabetic patient trying to monitor his blood glucose level in Tanzania will have to obtain a glucometer and its corresponding disposable strips. However, it is relatively easy to get a donated glucometer so the cost to the patient for each test will be the price of a glucometer strip, about 2000 Tanzanian Shillings (or $1.32). With these prices, an overwhelming majority of diabetic Tanzanians can’t afford to monitor themselves even once a day and they end up needing hospital treatment that they could have otherwise avoided. To remedy this, we would like to develop affordable glucometer strips which could be locally manufactured, either on site or as part of a cottage industry. Moreover, each brand of glucometer requires specific disposable strips which are very difficult.
