Can AI bridge the gaps in Africa’s healthcare systems?

Africa’s healthcare systems face major challenges, from workforce shortages to gaps in infrastructure. 

In the latest episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki speaks with AI experts about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving change across the continent.

Charles Waka explains how AI is optimising maternal and neonatal healthcare, improving outcomes for mothers and newborns. 

Ndisha Mwakala, a former health information systems advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses how limited African data was a major hurdle in developing an AI tool to identify patients most at risk of HIV and connect them to testing and treatment.

Zakia Salod, South African researcher in medical AI and bioinformatics, highlights how AI-powered tools like her VAXIN8 are accelerating vaccine development. 

Darlington Akogo, CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, discusses how his AI tool, Moremi, streamlines disease diagnosis, treatment planning, and prescription, while Uzma Alam, programme lead for science policy engagement at the Science for Africa Foundation, stresses the need for investment in AI research to maximise its benefits.

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This podcast was supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative which aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of 18 public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa.  

 Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station

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