C4IR | Impact On The Ground | Transforming Healthcare with AI: Rwanda’s Innovation Journey
This video is part of: Centre for Frontier Technologies and Innovation
Thirty years ago, Rwanda faced a devastated healthcare system with minimal infrastructure and a shortage of medical professionals. Today, through strategic investments and innovation, the country has achieved universal health coverage and strengthened its healthcare workforce, particularly through its community health worker model. But challenges remain, particularly in equipping frontline workers with advanced clinical expertise.
Thirty years ago, Rwanda's healthcare system was in crisis, lacking infrastructure and medical professionals. Through strategic investments, the country has achieved universal health coverage and strengthened its workforce, particularly with community health workers.
How Rwanda is using AI to support frontline workers
Despite progress, a key challenge remains: equipping frontline health workers with advanced clinical expertise. Rwanda is addressing this by integrating AI-powered decision support tools. In partnership with Digital Umuganda, locally trained language models in Kinyarwanda assist in diagnosing diseases, increasing accuracy from 8% to 71%.
Expanding AI innovation beyond healthcare
The country is now extending its generative AI capabilities to sectors like agriculture and e-governance. This approach demonstrates that AI-driven solutions can be inclusive, scalable, and effective in tackling global challenges.
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Technological Innovation
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