About

The Tuberculosis Data, Impact Assessment and Communications Hub (TB DIAH) project is one of the first awards associated with the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) launch of the Global Accelerator to End TB. TB DIAH will further the work of the Accelerator business model, focusing on performance-based measures for combating TB. TB DIAH and the Accelerator will catalyze investments across multiple countries and sectors to end the epidemic while building country self-reliance.

MELVIN, which stands for Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, Vision, and Information, is a conversational AI chatbot aimed at expanding M&E knowledge and enhancing learning experiences in the area of TB. It represents TB DIAH’s vision to harness the power of emerging technology to help TB professionals navigate relevant resources and information.

MELVIN is developed through the TB DIAH’s Center of Excellence (COE) framework. Founded in May 2022 and hosted by Georgia’s Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) along with the National Center for Tuberculosis & Lung Diseases (NCTLD) in Tbilisi. The goal of the virtual COE is to provide support to the TB community of practitioners, policymakers, and national TB programs to improve M&E to make informed decisions in the design and management of TB programs in the region and worldwide.

MELVIN's Potential for Enhancing the Learning Experiences

Personalized Learning: MELVIN can adapt its responses based on the specific needs and preferences of individual users (or learners). It can offer personalized learning pathways, suggesting resources and topics that align with each individual's skill level and goals.

Access to Relevant Information: MELVIN can provide instant access to a growing repository of curated materials related to TB and TB M&E. This ensures that users (learners) have access to up-to-date and relevant information at their fingertips, reducing the time spent searching for resources.

Continuous Learning Support: MELVIN can be available 24/7 to answer questions, provide explanations, and offer guidance on TB-related topics. This continuous support ensures that users (learners) learners can access assistance whenever they need it, enhancing their overall learning experience.

Resource Aggregation: Instead of professionals having to search multiple platforms or sources for information, MELVIN can serve as a one-stop hub, pulling together diverse resources for comprehensive learning.

Interactive Conversations: MELVIN can engage learners in interactive conversations, helping them clarify doubts, explore complex concepts, and engage in meaningful discussions. Interactive learning through conversations can be more engaging and effective than passive reading or video content.

Interactive Learning Modes: MELVIN can generate interactive elements, such as quizzes, simulations, or scenario-based exercises. This hands-on approach can deepen understanding and improve retention.

Always Updated: A conversational model like MELVIN can constantly update its knowledge base to stay current with the latest research and guidelines, changes in TB treatment, and M&E practices. This ensures that learners are exposed to the latest information.

Data-driven Insights: By analyzing user interactions, MELVIN can provide insights into common areas where professionals struggle, prompting the development of new learning modules or resources to address those gaps.

Accessibility and Flexibility: With a digital platform, learners can access MELVIN at their convenience - be it during a commute, in between patients, or at home. This flexibility can enhance the motivation to learn, explore and develop.

Multilingual Support: MELVIN can offer support in multiple languages, making learning accessible to a broader audience and breaking language barriers.