CS Alumnus wins Africa prize for bloodless malaria test

The computer science alumnus (Brian Gitta) has won the Royal Academy of Engineering's Africa Prize for a device which tests for malaria without drawing blood.

The device named Matibabu detects malaria signs by shining a red beam of light on the patient's finger and the diagnosis is shared to a mobile phone in a minute.

Matibabu clips onto a patient's finger and does not require a specialist to operate. Its red beam can detect changes in the colour, shape and concentration of red blood cells all of which are affected by malaria.

His team hopes the device can one day be used as a way to better detect malaria across the continent.