Aga Khan University Gets Kshs 722 Million Grant For A Modern Science Hub

The Aga Khan University has received a grant to establish a state-of-the-art science hub that will contain modern technological amenities.

The institution has received Sh 722 million to establish the data hub that will use artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other emerging technologies to improve health and care delivery in local communities.

The programme will be held by the Aga Khan University (AKU) with partners in Kenya, US and Canada having being funded by a grant from the US National Institutes of Health.

The Utilising Health Information for Meaningful impact in East Africa through Data Science (or UZIMA-DS) will be the first initiative of its kind in the region that looks to leverage data science and proactively avoid adverse outcomes in maternal and newborn health and mental health.

It will also leverage machine learning, an application of artificial intelligence (AI), to identify creative solutions to aid health service providers and policymakers within resource constrained environments.

The Director of the Institute of Development at AKU, Professor Amina Abubakar said early identification and intervention are critical to a good prognosis for all health conditions.

“However, in many low- and middle-income countries there is a dearth of tools that can be used for early identification of women, children, and young adults at risk of poor physical and mental health,” she noted.