Inequalities in access to quality health care persist in Africa. Through partnerships across the continent, AstraZeneca aims to develop local talent and make quality healthcare more accessible to all.
AstraZeneca, the Swedish-British pharmaceutical group, announced on Thursday 13 April the launch of the Africa Health Innovation Hub, an innovation hub to improve access to healthcare in Africa.
According to the statement from the pharmaceutical giant, the Africa Health Innovation Hub will focus on the latest science and technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data generation.
« The launch of the Africa Health Innovation Hub is an important step in unlocking digital transformation and innovation in healthcare across the continent, paving the way for patient-centric digital health solutions that leave no one behind,” said Gagan Singh, Group President of AstraZeneca Africa.
In its initial phases, the Africa Health Innovation Hub will form two major partnerships in Africa. Together with Medsol AI Solutions, the group will work on the deployment of the “Melusi Breast AI” application to promote the use of AI in disease detection through a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi ultrasound probe that can detect breast cancer in seconds. The Melusi Breast AI rapid detection app will be rolled out in rural clinics for this purpose in South Africa.
In Kenya, the company is collaborating with Tricog Health Limited to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of heart failure by using Tricog’s InstaECG AI tools for rapid diagnosis.
The Africa Health Innovation Hub will also invest in building local talent, encourage policy change in cancer screening, close gaps in access to healthcare and improve the quality of life for patients in Africa, especially in rural and underserved communities.
