Karachi, 17 Oct 2023:Aga Khan University (AKU) in Kenya, alongside its esteemed partner, the Center for Global Health Equity (CGHE) at the University of Michigan, has been granted a $750,000 research award by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant will fund a study focusing on utilizing AI technology to navigate challenges in specialized training for the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer cases in Africa. This initiative underscores the collaborative commitment of CGHE and AKU to strengthen the Kenyan healthcare system through top-tier research and human capacity building. The press release was sourced from the Aga Khan University.
Given the notable public health implications of colorectal cancer in Africa, there has been a significant challenge in securing specialized training and harnessing advanced diagnostic technologies, which are crucial for early detection and effective therapy. With the support of the NIH grant, AKU and CGHE aim to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions to enhance the efficiency and precision of colorectal cancer diagnostic procedures.
The research, backed by NIH, will be orchestrated by a multifaceted team comprising professionals from diverse disciplines: oncology, pathology, surgery, statistics, and informatics. Representatives from AKU, CGHE, and Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya, will helm the initiative. Notable members of the project’s leadership ensemble include Mansoor Saleh, Shahin Sayed, Abdallah Abdulkarim, Michael Mwachiro, Robert Parker, Akbar Waljee, Ulysses G J. Balis, and Arvind Rao.
This endeavour expands on the existing synergistic research ventures between AKU and CGHE, notably the UZIMA-DS Research Hub. The hub’s objective is to develop a versatile, enduring platform that employs innovative strategies for data integration, coupled with cutting-edge AI and machine learning methodologies. These tools aim to serve as precursors for improved health outcomes across the African continent.
Dr. Mansoor Saleh, at the helm of the Cancer Research Unit at AKU, shed light on the significance of the collaborative project, emphasizing the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning in bridging diagnostic gaps in colorectal cancer prognosis in Africa.
Akbar Waljee, CGHE member and U-M Professor, highlighted the enduring research alliance between the Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Michigan and Aga Khan University in Kenya. Waljee underscored the potential of Kenyan-origin research to leave an indelible mark on the global health landscape, emphasizing the shared vision of both institutions to champion healthcare progress and ensure health equity universally.
Both the Center for Global Health Equity and Aga Khan University remain resolute in their mission to make healthcare universally accessible, affordable, and efficacious. The recent NIH grant is a testament to this shared vision, and both entities are optimistic about the transformative potential of their research on colorectal cancer care in Africa.