Because we track locally-driven innovations in healthtech across the African continent, we curate a monthly newsletter to share our most “salient” learnings in more real time. We welcome submissions and suggestions.
Innovators are deploying AI solutions to advance cancer care and maternal health
Uganda-based healthtech, CHIL Femtech Center, is testing an artificial intelligence (AI) powered solution to boost cancer care awareness among patients. The solution allows patients to share pictures of cancer medication with a chatbot and receive audio-visual information on the drug and its side-effects in 12 African languages. The tool is aimed at enhancing cancer treatment by empowering patients in underserved areas to make informed health decisions and better manage medication usage and risks.
Hurone AI, has partnered with the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) to enhance precision cancer care across the country. The collaboration will see Hurone AI integrate its AI-powered software into RUPHA’s electronic health record system and empower oncologists with tools to tailor treatments appropriately, including valuable data on treatment protocols and potential severe side effects. Hurone AI will also support the Kenyan Ministry of Health’s long-term goals in modernizing health record management across the country by improving cancer care data interoperability.
Jacaranda Health, a Kenya-based maternal health-focused non-profit, has been selected as part of Google’s first ever generative AI accelerator—a six-month program supporting the development of high-impact applications of generative AI in various sectors, including healthcare. In addition to technical training, workshops, mentors and pro bono support from a dedicated AI coach, Google is providing over $20 million in funding support to the 21 organizations in the cohort. Based in Kenya, Jacaranda Health aims to scale its digital maternal health services to women in underserved communities by leveraging natural language processing technologies trained in multiple African languages.
Biotech innovations are getting critical equity and grant support to drive scale…
An ambitious goal to scale access to pediatric care in Kenya
Daktari Smart, a childcare telemedicine program by Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital is expanding its reach, in partnership with the M-Pesa Foundation, to provide specialized pediatric care to 32,000 children across five Kenyan counties. The program ensures access to care for minors suffering from rare non-communicable diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Since its launch in 2021, Daktari Smart has reached 10,000 children, and has an ambitious long-term target of providing healthcare to five million children, and drive a reduction in childhood mortality rates.
Recommended Read
This Devex feature piece dives into Rwanda’s data-driven approach to malaria control research, building intelligence to identify high-burden areas for increased intervention and understand the impact of climate change on the spread on one of the continent’s deadliest diseases.
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