Ocular

In Uganda, patients arrive at the @UgandaCancerIns when the disease has already reached Stage 4. At that point, treatment becomes much harder. Early diagnosis can dramatically improve survival rates, yet awareness and access to screening remain major challenges. Behind every diagnosis is a complex process. Pathologists carefully examine tissue slides under microscopes, sometimes spending hours reviewing a single case. In complicated cases, multiple specialists must confirm the final report. The reality is clear, we need faster, more scalable ways to support early cancer detection. Technology may play an important role in closing this gap and at @AI_HealthLabMak we are building an app under @Ocular_Project , AI trained to help pathologists in enhancing their work so we can have early diagnosis with accuracy and cover more patients. #AIForGlobalGoals

@Ocular_Project AI-powered TB diagnostic app is under validation. With 7 lab technologists & 3 @AI_HealthLabMak members met at Kebera Diagnostic Labs to examine 74 TB smears & capture 750 images. Data will train & analyze our AI for precise TB detection. #AIForGlobalGoals

We completed an internal validation of Ocular's mobile TB diagnostic app. Lab technicians and our tech team collaborated to generate reliable AFB grading results and high-quality microscopy image datasets now training our AI model for real-world deployment. #AIFORGLOBALGOALS

The #AUMalariaProgressReport2025 reveals that progress against #malaria has stalled, leaving the African continent off track to meet its 2030 elimination targets🌍 The report highlights key priorities for the #BigPush to #EndMalaria, including the urgent need for new, fit‑for‑purpose tools to accelerate progress and stay ahead of emerging challenges. Read more: alma2030.org/heads-of-state… #AUSummit @ALMA_2030 @endmalaria @_AfricanUnion

Labs are the backbone of healthcare, guiding diagnosis & treatment. Yet limited access leads to misdiagnosis, delays, and higher costs. Ocular is empowering frontline diagnostics with AI-powered microscopy bringing faster, more accurate disease detection to the point of care.

In Uganda, lab techs manually analyze just 20–30 slides a day, spending ~30 min per slide amid staff shortages. @Ocular_Project automates parasite detection, cutting analysis to 5–8 minutes and supporting technicians to diagnose more patients faster, without replacing expertise.

How do we build AI for healthcare while protecting the people behind the data? As we wrap up Data Privacy Week, our Senior Researcher in Ethics,Dr. @sylvia_kazooba reminds us that in developing AI-powered health interventions, privacy cannot be an afterthought. This is especially critical in our effort to build long-term trust with end users. Handling sensitive health data is a significant responsibility. Dr. @sylvia_kazooba argues that for these innovations to be truly successful, we must embed Privacy by Design into every stage of the lifecycle from collection and storage to sharing and end-use. It is only through this proactive approach that we can ensure accountability and fairness in the digital health space. #DataPrivacyWeek #AIforGlobalGoals

@Ocular_Project develops its tools alongside Ugandan lab experts. Using slides from 28 health centers, each model is tested in real clinical settings, refined with specialist feedback to ensure accurate, reliable parasite detection Also more @AI_HealthLabMak #AIFORGLOBALGOALS

Trained laboratory technicians are essential, their expertise shape patient outcomes and public health decisions. In Uganda, with severe staffing shortages and limited diagnostic infrastructure, many health systems struggle to deliver timely, accurate results or detect outbreaks early. This weakens disease surveillance and delays effective responses. Using AI driven image analysis, @Ocular_Project aims to empower lab technicians, expand access in underserved communities, and support smarter disease surveillance. Learn more: ocular-project.com makerereaihealthlab.com #AIFORGLOBALGOALS

In Kampala, one lab tech serves 3,000 people double the @WHOUganda recommended ratio. @Ocular_Project uses AI-powered microscopy to automate parasite detection, helping labs diagnose faster and easing the burden on healthcare workers. ocular-project.com AIFORGLOBALGOALS

🦟 Malaria remains a major challenge in Africa. The #WorldMalariaReport2025 calls for smarter, data-driven action. 💡 Ocular Project uses #AI to boost malaria diagnosis, surveillance & community response in Uganda. 🔗 who.int/publications/i…

Team Spotlight: Elijah Maiga Barasa | Research Assistant at @AI_HealthLabMak. We’re happy to highlight Elijah Maiga Barasa, key contributor to the @Ocular_Project, focused on using AI and computer vision to improve diagnostic support in low-resource health settings His passion for healthcare innovation is driven by a mission to apply AI solutions that can enhance early disease detection and empower frontline health workers. At the @AI_HealthLabMak, he works on developing accessible, user-friendly tools that run on commonly available devices and provide clear, interpretable results supporting real-world clinical workflows in countries like Uganda. Full video: youtube.com/watch?v=6lcfa5… 🔍 Learn more about our work: • @Ocular_Project (ocular-project.com) • @AI_HealthLabMak (makerereaihealthlab.com) #AIINHEALTHAFRICA #AIFORGLOBALGOALS

From 6th to 7th November 2025, the key conversations across the two days explored AI policy and ethics, localization of AI solutions, capacity building, AI for strengthening health systems, the role of generative AI, and sustainable business models for innovation.

Last week, the Academy was proud to partner @Makerere & @AI_HealthLabMak to organise the 2nd AI in Africa Health Conference. Under the theme "Setting AI for sustainable & Inclusive Health Systems in Africa, the conference attracted delegates and speakers from around the globe.

The conference also featured exhibitions of different innovations in health from @SunbirdAI @IDIMakerere @Ocular_Project @AceUganda, showcasing how AI is transforming service delivery and patient care across Africa.

HAPPENING NOW: EXHIBITIONS Theme: Scaling AI for Sustainable and Inclusive Health Systems in Africa. Experts visit our exhibitions at the @Ocular_Project station. #AIForGlobalGoals #AIinHealthAfrica #AIInHealthAfrica2025

HAPPENING NOW: 2nd ANNUAL AI IN HEALTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE . AI Capacity Building in the Global South (AI School) MAHESH SHAKYA - @naamii_nepal: "We build a strong educational foundation in AI and science, and we run outreach programs like the annual Hyundai School to train people across all levels of society, from children to policymakers, to prepare for a digital world." #AIFORGLOBALGOALS

HAPPENING NOW: 2nd ANNUAL AI IN HEALTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE . AI Capacity Building in the Global South (AI School) MAHESH SHAKYA - @naamii_nepal: “We are dedicated to fostering innovation through the development of our own startups and by assisting companies in establishing AI teams. Our goal is to transform research into globally applicable products and to deliver technology directly to users. This approach helps users address significant challenges in low-resource healthcare settings, such as shortages of experts and equipment. We achieve this by creating tools that empower non-specialists with tasks like cervical cancer screening and ultrasound imaging and by developing cost-effective alternatives such as smartphone-based microscopes.” #AIForGlobalGoals