An innovative initiative using artificial intelligence (AI) has been launched in Tanzania to revolutionise the detection and management of serious respiratory illnesses, including tuberculosis (TB), particularly within resource-limited communities.
The Kikohozi Classifier Project, a locally driven research programme led by the Aga Khan University”s (AKU) School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa (SONAM, EA), aims to fortify early diagnosis of respiratory ailments, thereby improving timely treatment and health outcomes, according to an official information today.
Implementation of the project will span five key regions across the nation: Dar es Salaam, Dodoma (including Dodoma Urban and Bahi), Kilimanjaro, Shinyanga, and Iringa, ensuring its benefits are accessible to diverse populations.
The initiative represents a significant collaborative effort between Aga Khan University, the Emerging Technologies for Health Laboratory at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), and the University of Warwick from the United Kingdom.
Crucially, the project has received the endorsement of Tanzania’s Ministry of Health and the National TB and Leprosy Programme, signifying strong national alignment with the health innovation.
‘Partnerships are very important for sustainable research implementation,” stated Dr Kahabi Isangula, the project”s Principal Investigator and faculty at SONAM EA. “Our partners in this project bring experience, diverse expertise, and strengths… This contributes to the country”s objective of advocating for innovative health interventions.”
The critical nature of the initiative”s initial stage was stressed by Dr Riziki Kisonga, Programme Manager for the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme. ‘The success of this phase will be critical in enabling the expansion of this intervention to other parts of Tanzania,’ she said, urging research assistants to maintain accuracy and integrity in data collection.
Professor Eunice Ndirangu, Dean of SONAM EA, noted the project marks a milestone for the university”s research profile, which has grown significantly over the last decade. ‘It is encouraging to see that the efforts we have made… have culminated in securing a grant from a United Kingdom research institute,” she commented.
By strengthening detection systems, the Kikohozi Classifier Project seeks to contribute to Tanzania”s progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, aiming to reduce premature deaths and expand access to affordable healthcare solutions.