On March 28, 2024, the Artificial Intelligence Lab at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), KAI Lab, hosted a seminar at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre, Malawi on the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. 

"Empowering IDSR Reporting and Analysis through An Intelligent Feedback System (IntelSurv)" reflected work done over 9 months through collaborative efforts lead by Dr. Amelia Taylor and the KAI Lab with partners from the Public Health Institute of Malawi and the District Health Offices in Lilongwe and Blantyre.

IntelSurv is part of a project entitled “An Intelligent Disease Surveillance Data Feedback System” who was a winner of a Grand Challenges grant for Catalyzing Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The event’s guest of honor was Dr Alinafe Mbewe the Deputy Director of Digital Health Division of the Ministry of Health in Malawi who shared insights into opportunities and challenges that characterise the digital health ecosystem in Malawi.

The event was opened by the Head of Computing and Information Systems Department at MUBAS.

In many lower and middle-income countries, lack of resources affects the availability and quality of learning and training. In the healthcare domain access to knowledge can make the difference between life and death. IntelSurv demonstrates how generative AI could be leveraged to facilitate needs-driven and self-directed learning for healthcare professionals who work in rural and remote communities.

The IntelSurv seminar not only showcased innovative use of AI in healthcare but also set the stage for future developments, affirming the critical role of technology in addressing healthcare challenges in Malawi and beyond. More information on the event can be found on the IntelSurv project website https://kailab.tech/projects/IntelSurv/ .