DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A SOLAR-POWERED IOT-BASED MEDICATION REMINDER AND GUARDIAN ALERT SYSTEM

Abstract

Medication non-adherence remains a critical barrier to effective healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. This study introduces a low-cost, solar-powered, IoT-enabled medication reminder and alert system designed to enhance adherence among patients with chronic illnesses. Built around the ATmega328P microcontroller, the system integrates a DS1307 real-time clock (RTC) for scheduling, a SIM800L GSM module for caregiver notifications, and an I2C display for user interaction. A 3x4 keypad, connected to the microcontroller’s digital pins, facilitates alarm programming, while a buzzer and vibrator, linked via BC547 transistors, provide audible and tactile alerts. Sensors detect medication access, triggering GSM alerts to caregivers if doses are missed. The system was constructed in stages, with hardware assembly followed by programming in the Arduino IDE using C language to manage alarm settings, time comparison, and communication functions. Solar power ensures reliable operation in resource-constrained settings. User assessments demonstrated high efficacy, with 95% of patients reporting timely medication reminders, 92% noting effective buzzer and vibration alerts, and 93% finding the keypad user-friendly. Challenges such as GSM signal variability and sensor misreads were addressed through calibration. The system’s scalability, affordability, and effectiveness make it a promising solution for rural healthcare settings. Future enhancements could include cloud-based data logging and AI-driven adherence prediction to further improve functionality and impact.