In a mission to deepen our understanding of the healthcare system and connect with end users, we embarked on an illuminating trip to Kenya. With our sights set on forging new partnerships and conducting future pilot studies, we left no stone unturned as we engaged with NGOs, Ministries of Health, hospitals, and potential manufacturing sites. In this post we explore share some highlight on our endeavours to better comprehend the needs and wishes of the system's end users.

Understanding User Needs and Aspirations:

Recognizing that genuine innovation stems from a deep understanding of user needs, we immersed ourselves in the Kenyan healthcare ecosystem. We visited several NGOs actively engaged in healthcare projects, gaining first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced on the ground. By engaging with these organizations, we aim to develop a comprehensive understanding of the system's intricacies and the specific pain points faced by both healthcare providers and patients.

Moreover, we met with representatives from Ministries of Health, recognizing the pivotal role they play in shaping healthcare policies and regulations. These discussions enabled us to gain insights into the government's healthcare vision, existing gaps in service delivery, and potential opportunities for collaboration. By aligning our objectives with the country's broader healthcare goals, we aim to foster partnerships that will drive meaningful change.

Engaging with Healthcare Facilities:

To gain a granular understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare providers, we visited hospitals and clinics across Kenya. We observed workflows, conversed with doctors and lab technicians, and witnessed first-hand the triumphs and struggles of the healthcare workforce. These interactions provided valuable insights into the pain points experienced by healthcare professionals, highlighting areas where our innovative solution could make a tangible difference.

Building Partnerships and Future Pilot Studies:

Enaiblers' trip to Kenya was not merely a fact-finding mission but also an opportunity to establish meaningful partnerships. Recognizing the power of collaboration, we met with potential manufacturing sites and explored opportunities for localized production. By partnering with local manufacturers, we aim to strengthen the country's healthcare infrastructure and ensure sustainable access to their innovative solutions.

Additionally, we discussed future pilot studies with key stakeholders, envisioning a collaborative approach to testing and refining our solutions within the Kenyan context. By engaging with end users during the pilot phase, we seek to ensure that our products are tailored to meet the specific needs and aspirations of the local population. This commitment to user-centric design will ensure the long-term success and impact of our initiatives at Enaiblers.

In Summary:

Our journey through Kenya was a journey of empathy, understanding, and strategic partnerships. By actively engaging with NGOs, Ministries of Health, hospitals, and potential manufacturing sites, we feel a deeper commitment and comprehension to the needs and wishes of the Kenyan healthcare system's end users. Armed with this knowledge, we're now poised to establish meaningful partnerships, conduct future pilot studies, and drive positive change in Kenya's healthcare landscape!

We are thrilled to announce the publication of our research in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Our study showcases the development of an early prototype, affordable artificial intelligence-based digital pathology device for the detection of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma mansoni eggs in stool samples. This research represents a significant step towards improving diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases and advancing the global fight against these debilitating conditions.

Key Takeaways from the Article:

1. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set ambitious targets for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), emphasizing the need for improved diagnostics to achieve these goals.

2. Current diagnostic methods for NTDs, such as microscopic examination, have limitations in terms of sensitivity, reproducibility, and manual read-out errors.

3. The WHO's Diagnostics and Technical Advisory Group (DTAG) is working on target product profiles (TPPs) to guide the development of new diagnostics, but the translation of biomarkers into affordable tests is challenging.

4. Artificial intelligence-based digital pathology (AI-DP) is a promising alternative for NTD diagnostics, offering improved reproducibility, automation, and cost reduction.

5. The study presents a proof-of-concept for an affordable AI-DP prototype for detecting soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and intestinal Schistosoma (SCH) eggs in stool samples.

6. An early prototype of a whole slide imaging (WSI) scanner was engineered for capturing digital images of STH and SCH eggs in Kato-Katz (KK) stool thick smears.

7. A database of over 1.3 million images was created, with annotations for eggs of different helminth species.

8. Using a deep learning approach, the AI model achieved high precision and recall for detecting and classifying STH and SCH eggs.

9. The prototype WSI scanner demonstrated the technical feasibility of scanning KK stool thick smears in field settings.

10. The development of affordable and fieldable AI-DP scanners shows promise in supporting the WHO's roadmap for NTDs and improving diagnostics for STH and SCH infections.

Further research and development are necessary to adapt the prototype for field settings, conduct end-to-end testing in the field, and evaluate performance across different infection intensities.

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010500