CSIR driving smart innovations to boost SA’s healthcare system in rural areas

2-minute read
06 July 2023 | 20:49 CAT

Image: Twitter

More and more focus is being put on rural communities using Artificial Intelligence or AI to develop cutting-edge technologies to improve the country’s rural health system.

Last week, young researchers from the CSIR showcased the groundbreaking Fourth Industrial Revolution innovations aimed at improving South Africa’s healthcare system in remote regions.

Radio Islam International spoke to one of these young researchers, Ngaphe Tsebesebe. Nkgaphe comes from the village community of Ga-Masemola in Limpopo province. He holds several degrees and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Cape Town under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. He participated in several research initiatives throughout his academic career.

Ngaphe said the technology could be used in busy medical centres that handle many patient samples daily.

“The technology can be used in busy medical centres that handle many patient samples each day. With this technology, the diagnostic process can be accelerated, reducing patients’ waiting time. It can diagnose thousands or even millions of samples in just a few seconds, which is particularly helpful in preventing the spread of viral and infectious diseases,” Nkgaphe explained.

Furthermore, this technology will assist ordinary South Africans by improving early clinical prognosis and treatment initiation for TB, thereby decreasing the rate of transmission and spread of TB between people, especially in remote settings (i.e., rural areas) within South Africa.

Listen to the full interview with Annisa Essack on Radio Islam’s podcast.

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