“The visit of Princess Zahra Aga Khan and the AKU delegation is a testament to the enduring bond between our institutions,” remarked President Santa Ono, emphasizing their collective goal of a brighter, healthier future for Africa and beyond.
Central to this partnership is the UZIMA-DS initiative. Conceived as a Kenyan-led effort, UZIMA-DS, or the Utilizing Health Information for Meaningful Impact in East Africa through Data Science program, is a beacon of innovation. Thanks to a significant $6.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this initiative uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning to address two pressing health concerns among African youth: maternal and child health and mental well-being. The success of UZIMA’s model and its third-year funding from NIH underscore the program’s potential.
Building upon this momentum, the AKU-CGHE partnership has introduced a series of novel projects. One such endeavor, funded by a separate NIH grant of $750,000, targets colorectal cancer diagnostics in Africa, utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning. Colorectal cancer, a growing concern across the continent, often sees delayed diagnosis due to a lack of specialized training and advanced diagnostic tools. With this grant, AKU, in collaboration with CGHE, aims to revolutionize cancer detection methods, bringing faster, more accurate diagnostic solutions to communities in need.
In February, the collaboration was again in focus when U-M’s Center for Global Health Equity’s Director, Joseph Kolars, spearheaded a delegation to AKU’s Nairobi campus. These meetings were a testament to the blossoming partnership, showcasing the progress made since the signing of the MOU. The discussions held during this visit highlighted the successes of ongoing collaborative efforts—including UZIMA-DS and the Longitudinal Study of Health and Aging in Kenya (LOSHAK)— and served as a platform to explore future project expansions and new projects.
Akbar Waljee, U-M professor of learning health sciences and data collaborative director at CGHE, commented on the profound connection between the two institutions, “This NIH grant is a testament to the incredible research collaboration between U-M and AKU. Together, we are committed to advancing healthcare and promoting equity in health outcomes for all.”
In a speech to U-M students during her visit, Princess Zahra Aga Khan celebrated the partnership, emphasizing that the alliance between U-M and AKU exemplifies the transformative potential of international academic partnerships to tackle key health challenges,. Through their joint efforts, they are crafting a narrative of hope, equity, and progress, ensuring that the future of healthcare in Africa and beyond remains bright.
