MedReach

Inspiration

We looked at the real healthcare challenges faced in Haiti especially after natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. Doctors often lack stable internet, and patients might lose their IDs. But names and birthdates? People remember those. We thought why not make a simple, offline-first app to store medical records securely and accessibly?

What it does

MedReach is a lightweight EHR (Electronic Health Record) system built for doctors in Haiti. It lets you Add, view, and search patients by name or DOB Record visits, diagnoses, and prescriptions even offline Sync automatically with the cloud when back online All using just a web browser no need to install anything!

How we built it

We used React.js for the frontend, Firebase for cloud storage and auth IndexedDB for local storage and offline capabilities Bootstrap & Tailwind for styling Everything syncs smoothly using smart logic to prevent duplicates. It’s fast, minimal, and works well on low-end devices.

Challenges we ran into

Syncing offline and online data without duplicates was tricky. Making the UI intuitive yet functional in low-connectivity environments Handling search, updates, and storage without bloating the browser

Accomplishments that we're proud of

A truly offline-first EHR system designed for Haiti’s healthcare challenges, not just copied from generic solutions A working prototype that can store, retrieve, and sync medical data without ever losing it Built to work where internet is patchy, devices are low-end, and people may not have ID cards but will remember their name or date of birth

What we learned

Designing for offline-first systems is both powerful and technically challenging it requires careful planning around data integrity and sync logic. Real-world constraints like unreliable internet and limited hardware push you to make more efficient, thoughtful design decisions. We gained a deep appreciation for IndexedDB a surprisingly capable browser technology that became central to our solution. Ultimately, we learned that simplicity and reliability are key, especially in healthcare, where user experience can directly impact outcomes.

What's next for MedReach

SMS alerts for vaccinations and check-ups Uploading patient reports (X-rays, blood work, etc.) Admin dashboard for NGOs & clinics Multilingual UI in Haitian Creole, French, and English AI-powered medicine suggestions based on symptoms And maybe voice-to-text for quicker data entry!