Table 3.

Digital transformation during COVID-19 and the commonly used platforms.

Digital adaptation	Examples	Descriptions from key informants
Teleconsultations and Telemedicine	• Telemedicine platforms e.g. WHP and Govt. of Bihar (India) partnered to initiate a new telemedicine platform in the state • Telephone consultation • Whatsapp video calls	“Telemedicine companies have mushroomed around this pandemic.” (icddr,b, Bangladesh)
Modified observation of therapy	• Regular phone calls • SMS reminders • Refill reminders through call centers e.g. CHAI’s partnership with Indian e-pharma, 1 mg • Digital Adherence tools e.g. 99 DOTS, Video DOT	“We ensured to track the medicine refill dates of the patients so that we could communicate with them over the phone or using WhatsApp.” (CHAI, India).
Remote monitoring and evaluation	• Facebook messenger • Viber • Google forms • Phone calls • Whatsapp video calls • Zoom video calls	“Before the pandemic, routine data on TB notification and TB treatment were collected in person and reviewed every quarter. This was replaced with online forms, telephone calls and messaging facilities like whatsapp and sms.” (Mercy Corps, Pakistan)
Remote training and coordination	• Zoom webinars • TeleECHO	“During the pandemic we (SHOPS Plus) used the TeleECHO platform to spread awareness on TB and COVID-19, how to differentiate between these two and how to triage.” (SHOPS Plus, Nigeria)
Digital tools in Diagnostics	• AI based Chest X ray • Digital X rays • Online reports	“BRAC’s online X ray reading system that was introduced in 2018 was scaled up during COVID-19” (BRAC, Bangladesh)
Updated systems	• Integration of whatsapp calling in Nikshay [16] • Mobile notification app in Philippines • Web based procurement of diagnostic supplies through the Philippines Private Sector Diagnostics Consortium • Scale up of TB Screening and Tracking for Accelerated Referral and Reporting (TB STARR) app in Kanos	“Many community health workers have become empowered to use technology well, including TB survivors who are being trained to be TB champions.” (REACH, India)