Design of Multi-Diagnostic POCT Devices for Early Diagnosis of NCDs at Low Resource Rural Settings

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), require early and accessible diagnosis, which remains challenging in resource-limited settings due to dependence on centralized laboratories. This thesis presents the development and clinical validation of a portable multi-diagnostic point-of-care testing (POCT) platform for decentralized NCD screening. The platform integrates spectrophotometric sensing, controlled incubation, digital connectivity, and low-cost microfluidics to enable quantitative biochemical analysis. Clinical validation demonstrated strong agreement with standard laboratory analyzers for key biomarkers, achieving high diagnostic performance. Additionally, a 3D-printed centrifugal microfluidic system with smartphone-based detection was developed for multiplexed analysis. Overall, the proposed POCT ecosystem provides an affordable, portable, and reliable solution for early NCD diagnosis in low-resource settings and supports future expansion toward connected healthcare systems.