Hypertension is a condition that affects over 1.6 million people in Cambodia and more than 1.28 billion people worldwide. Driven by a desire to protect those closest to them and improve healthcare outcomes, the team applied their tech skills to create WeSync – a mobile app designed to simplify hypertension management and enhance the quality of care for patients.
Identifying a Need to Improve Hypertension Tracking
For the WeSync team, the Tech4Good program represented an ideal opportunity to channel their passion for using technology to solve social issues. As Sorachna Kry (WeSync team member) put it, “Tech4Good has a clear objective that aligns perfectly with my passion – using technology to solve SDG-related problems. Growing up alongside older family members, I’ve always found it challenging to keep up with their health. This experience motivated me to develop healthcare solutions. When I discovered the Tech4Good program, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for.”
WeSync was born out of the team’s shared experience of seeing loved ones struggle with managing hypertension. Borron Chesda Pisey (WeSync team member) shared a personal story: “When I was younger, I saw how my grandmother struggled to monitor her blood pressure regularly, and my family was always worried.”
WeSync: Stay Ahead of Your Blood Pressure
WeSync simplifies the process by automatically recording, tracking, and analysing blood pressure data.
The app uses OCR technology to scan blood pressure readings from devices and stores the data securely in a cloud system. This allows patients and their families to access detailed insights and trends over time. Additionally, the app sends real-time alerts via Telegram – a widely used communication platform in Cambodia – directly to family members and doctors. This way, everyone stays informed, and if there’s a sudden spike or dip in blood pressure, timely interventions can occur.
The team cleverly adapted existing technology, traditionally used in fintech, to create an intuitive healthcare solution. “We’ve seen OCR technology used for scanning in apps like Alipay and banking systems. But we thought, why not use it to help hypertension patients?” Meilang Hut (WeSync team member) said.
PIM’s Guidance
The WeSync team’s journey was made smoother thanks to the support they received from Purpose in Motion (PIM). PIM’s structured sessions helped the team clarify their vision, refine their problem statements, and develop a solution that was both practical and impactful.
The team felt that their designated mentor, Wei Zhang Chuan, played an essential role in their success. In particular, they reflected on how he introduced them to the concept of giving back through their business. Inspired, the team committed to donating 10% of their profits to those who are unable to afford a WeSync subscription, making the app not only a powerful health tool but also a socially responsible product.
Working Hard, Having Fun: Behind the Scenes of WeSync’s Journey
The road to success wasn’t all smooth sailing, but it was filled with camaraderie, late-night brainstorming, and some unforgettable moments. “I’ll never forget the night we were all working on the pitch deck,” Kry recalled with a laugh. “We were all working in one hotel room, and we had set consecutive alarms through the night to work on our assigned parts of the deck. Someone’s alarm would go off just as others had fallen asleep. The alarms were relentless – it felt like 24-hour chaos.”
Despite the sleepless nights, the team managed to keep things light-hearted, often cracking jokes and encouraging one another. “It wasn’t just about getting the work done; it was about enjoying the process,” Youhorng Kean (WeSync team member) said. “We pushed through tough times together, and that’s what made it all worthwhile.”
WeSync’s Future Plans
With their sights set on the global competition, the WeSync team is gearing up to take their project to the next level. Their current focus is on refining their business model and developing a working prototype to showcase on the global stage.
“We know the competition will be fierce, so we’re not just resting on our laurels. We’re reaching out to experts in clinical care, business, and healthcare to get advice on how to improve our product and strategy. This is just the beginning for WeSync, and we want to make sure we get it right.”
While the global competition is their immediate goal, the team is also thinking long-term. They’re keen to expand their solution and potentially enter other competitions to gain further insights and continue refining WeSync. “One of the judges told us not to fall in love with just one idea or solution. We’re keeping an open mind, and we believe each opportunity will help us expand our impact and serve more people” said Phanhatep Em (WeSync team member).
To balance their work on WeSync with their academic lives, the team has developed a clear division of labour based on their complementary strengths. “The business students handle the business side, and the tech people are working on front-end and back-end development. This division of labour will help us stay on track amidst our hectic school schedules now that we are back on campus,” Hut explained.
Words of Encouragement For One Another
As they reflect on their journey so far, the WeSync team has some heartfelt words for one another. “I’ve never really enjoyed working in teams before,” Pisey admitted. “But this project changed that. I feel like I can really rely on every single person here. You all covered your own ground, and that’s what made this project so successful.”
Another team member shared, “We’ve had sleepless nights and stressful moments, but what I’ve learned is that it’s not just about the end goal – it’s about enjoying the journey. This process has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Looking to the Future: Making WeSync a Reality
As the WeSync team prepares for the global competition, they are more determined than ever to bring their project to life. “This is part of our learning journey, and we want to make WeSync a reality. We’re not just students anymore – we’re building something meaningful for people who need it,” Pisey shared. The team plans to continue refining their app, seeking out mentorship, and staying committed to improving hypertension care.
WeSync concluded, “Moving forward, as long as we keep this momentum, prioritize and value this project, we will be able to achieve great things together.”
Team WeSync
Connect with WeSync
Participation Year: 2024
Country: Cambodia
Program Name: Tech4Good (Asia-Pacific)
Contributors
Ziyi Wang, Interviewer & Writer
Ziyi Wang is a member of the Purpose in Motion team, where she supports initiatives such as the Tech4Good programme.
In her full-time capacity based in Singapore as a manager in AVPN’s Impact Investing team, she works to increase the flow of capital towards impact in Asia. AVPN is recognised as Asia’s leading social investment network.
With experience in impact investing, strategy consulting, CSR, and social entrepreneurship, Ziyi has lived across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Beijing. She holds a degree in Sociology from the National University of Singapore.
Outside of work, Ziyi enjoys trail running, street photography, and volunteering in her community.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziyiw/
Melody Su, Editor
Melody Su, born in New Jersey and raised in California, is a dedicated daughter of Taiwanese immigrants with a passion for fostering the next generation of global scholars. Having lived and worked in five countries, including Italy, Spain, China, Taiwan, and most recently Japan, Melody brings a rich, cross-cultural perspective to her nearly decade-long career in education.
Melody holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UCSB and a Master’s in Postsecondary Administration & Student Affairs from USC. Her journey led her to China, where she spent three and a half years working as an international admissions counselor and reconnecting with her Chinese cultural roots. She is the founder of Episteme Nexus (EpNex), a consultancy that supports small-to-medium-sized enterprises and educators in program management, leadership development, and more. Through her podcast, EpNex: Education 360, she explores topics on education, mentorship, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Currently a doctoral candidate at Northeastern University, studying AI in education with a concentration in workplace learning, Melody is also an active board member and treasurer of the Graduate School Education Research Association (GSERA). Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, binge-watching Netflix, and solving logic puzzles.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodylsu/
