Google and Jacaranda Health are currently involved in a public health partnership that makes use of AI to prevent the risk of maternal and neonatal deaths in Kenya. According to a report by Google, the high cost of traditional ultrasound machines, frequent power outages, and the requirement for specialized operators limits ultrasound access to only 16% of pregnant women in the country.
In addition, Kenya’s maternal mortality rate is among the highest globally, and over a third of maternal and neonatal deaths are caused by delays in seeking care.
Hence, “to address this gap, Jacaranda Health is collaborating with Google on an eight-month research project to explore how AI tools can support point-of-care ultrasound delivery in Kenya,” states Google in a recent report.
The project is testing new handheld ultrasound devices that are more portable, efficient, and easier to use than traditional machines. It uses AI technology which makes it simpler to obtain and interpret ultrasound images. This allows nurses and technicians to perform examinations with less training.
If the testing phase is successful, the technology will be rolled out to the rest of Kenya and the region.
READ: Kenya’s Jacaranda Health Partners with Google on AI Program to Enhance Maternal Healthcare
Google Public Health Initiatives in Africa
The ultrasound program in Kenya is part of Google’s public health programs in Africa. In Nigeria, the company has collaborated with the OnTIME Consortium to develop a tool that estimates average travel times to emergency obstetric care facilities. Google and the OnTIME Consortium have now implemented this project in Nigeria’s 15 largest cities.
In Uganda, Google has invested $1.5 million in Makerere University’s Ocular project. This is an AI-based program seeking to enhance the diagnosis of Malaria, Tuberculosis, and Cervical Cancer in Uganda. The project combines smartphone technology with existing microscopes and AI-powered computer vision to create a mobile microscopy solution.
According to a report on Google by global policy consultancy, Public First, it is estimated that every $1 invested in digital technology will return over $2 for the region’s wider economy by 2030.
“Digital technology has already had a powerful impact on people’s lives across Sub-Saharan Africa. Our research emphasizes the strategic importance of connectivity, cloud computing and artificial intelligence – and explores Google’s leadership in these areas,” says Amy Price, Director & Head of Technology Policy, Public First.
