Chronicle Editor
Jacqueline Ntaka
CHOLERA is a deadly disease that causes severe dehydration and diarrhoea. It is caused by bacteria that contaminate water and food sources and can spread rapidly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. Zimbabwe has been grappling with a cholera outbreak that has resulted in a cumulative total of 21 101 suspected cases, 71 laboratory-confirmed deaths, 402 suspected deaths and 2 296 laboratory-confirmed cases in 60 districts.
Cholera is not the only disease that threatens the health and well-being of Zimbabweans. The country also faces the challenges of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/Aids, among others. These diseases pose a heavy burden on the health system and require timely and effective interventions to prevent, detect and treat them.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that can help Zimbabwe fight cholera and other diseases, by using data and algorithms to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning and decision making. AI can be applied to various aspects of disease control, such as prediction, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
AI can help predict the risk and spread of diseases, by analysing various data sources, such as laboratory tests, clinical records, demographic information, environmental factors and social media posts. For example, Siemens Healthineers has developed an AI-based predictive model for Covid-19 that uses lab values and age to generate a clinical severity score, including projected probability of ventilator use, end-stage organ damage and 30-day in-hospital mortality. This model can help identify patients who are at high risk of developing severe complications from Covid-19, and prioritise them for treatment and care.
Similarly, AI can help predict the risk and spread of cholera and other diseases, by using data from video capsule endoscopy, water quality tests, weather patterns and population movements, among others. This can help alert health authorities and communities to potential outbreaks and enable them to take preventive measures and allocate resources accordingly.
AI can help diagnose diseases, by using image recognition, natural language processing and pattern recognition to analyse various types of data, such as images, sounds, texts and signals. For example, UVA researchers have developed an AI-based system that can diagnose malaria from blood smear images, with an accuracy of over 90 percent. This system can help reduce the workload and errors of human microscopists and provide faster and more reliable diagnosis of malaria, especially in remote and resource-limited settings.
Likewise, AI can help diagnose cholera and other diseases, by using data from stool samples, breath tests, chest X-rays, and voice recordings, among others. This can help improve the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis and facilitate timely and appropriate treatment.
AI can help treat diseases, by using data mining, optimisation, and recommendation systems to provide personalised and optimal treatment plans for patients. For example, IBM Watson Oncology is an AI-based system that can provide evidence-based and personalised treatment recommendations for cancer patients, by analysing their medical records, genomic data and the latest clinical research. This system can help oncologists make informed and consistent decisions and improve the quality and outcomes of cancer care.
In the same way, AI can help treat cholera and other diseases, by using data from patient history, drug interactions and clinical trials, among others. This can help optimise the dosage and duration of antibiotics, fluids and other medications, and reduce the risk of adverse effects and resistance.
AI can help prevent diseases, by using data analysis, behaviour change and gamification to provide health education and promotion for individuals and communities. For example, Ada Health is an AI-based app that can provide personalised health guidance and advice, by asking users a series of questions about their symptoms, medical history and lifestyle, and providing them with possible causes, self-care tips and referrals to health services.
This app can help users understand their health status, and take preventive actions to improve their health and well-being.
Correspondingly, AI can help prevent cholera and other diseases, by using data from surveys, sensors, and games, among others. This can help raise awareness and knowledge about the causes and symptoms of diseases, and encourage healthy behaviours, such as washing hands, boiling water and seeking medical help.
It must be said that AI is not a magic bullet that can solve all the health problems in Zimbabwe, but it is a powerful tool that can complement and enhance the efforts of health workers, policymakers and communities. By using AI to predict, diagnose, treat and prevent diseases, Zimbabwe can improve its health outcomes, reduce its disease burden, and achieve its health goals.
Jacqueline Ntaka is the CEO of Mviyo Technologies, a local tech company that provides custom software development, mobile applications and data analytics solutions. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Online Reporter