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.

March and March says Radio Islam’s interviews on Islamophobia spark reflection

Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za 7 August 2026 | 08:26 CAT 1-minute read March and March national spokesperson Sandile Dube said that Radio Islam's questioning will prompt the organisation to reflect on criticism that it has become increasingly hostile towards the...

Ramaphosa backs Eskom grid split to drive energy reform

4 August 2026 | 15:45 CAT 2-minute read Eskom’s transmission business is being prepared to become a fully independent state-owned grid company. Generation and distribution remain burdened by debt, ageing infrastructure and unpaid municipal accounts. An independent...

Influencing Democracy

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 04 August 2026 2-minute read An article written by human rights lawyer and founder of the organization The Campaign for Free Expression Nicole Fritz claims that paid social media influencers and coordinated fake news campaigns...

A Swim To Ceuta

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 03 August 2026 2-minute read Pressures driving irregular migration and the challenges facing both Morrocco and Spain have come to the fore once again, as scores of Moroccans returned to their homeland after entering the...

Palestine Report

3 August 2026 | 11:00 CAT 3-minute read Gaza disarmament, settler violence and pressure on aid workers The reported Hamas disarmament framework, escalating settler violence in the occupied West Bank and a growing international crackdown on Gaza advocates were among...

Final Registrations!

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 30 July 2026 1-minute read The President has announced the date of local elections for this year to be held on 4 November 2026. According to the IEC’s General Manager for Communications Fikile Moya, the final official voter...