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GenAI can revolutionise public healthcare but ‘guardrails by design’ are needed to protect patients

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3 years ago

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GenAI

GenAI provides hope for an equitable healthcare revolution, but advances in technology must never come at the cost of patient rights

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 19, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The next generation of ethical Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) provides new hope for an equitable healthcare revolution – but advances in technology must never come at the cost of patient rights. 

This was the consensus amongst top African and American health AI experts who participated in a webinar (https://apo-opa.info/3O1seIV) about the impact of GenAI on healthcare. The webinar was hosted by Vantage Health Technology (www.VantageHealth.Tech) – part of BroadReach Group, a social enterprise focussed on health equity globally. Through Vantage, the company has provided AI-led health-tech support to multiple public healthcare systems and diseases including in Africa and the USA for close to a decade.

“The fundamental issue in healthcare, whether you are in Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe, or the USA, is that demand outstrips supply in terms of health services, doctors, nurses, and medications. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, there are 0.2 doctors per 1000 people,” explains Dr John Sargent, co-founder of the BroadReach Group (www.BroadReachCorporation.com).

He says we are trying to deliver on an antiquated model of “sick care”, where there is a certain ratio of doctors to patients. “We need to change this paradigm to be more effective by matching the supply and demand sides of our health systems in new digital ways.” Dr Sargent, who is a Harvard alumni and former World Economic Forum Social Entrepreneur of the Year, says that while GenAI has the potential to revolutionise how healthcare supply and demand are balanced, it is not the be-all-and-end-all of health tech. “The aim is not to get distracted by a shiny new toy – we need to put the patient first by protecting privacy and training our models against bias. We must always remember that technology is just a tool in service of patient care and supporting the healthcare workforce to improve health outcomes.”  

Using GenAI to tackle specific diseases such as HIV and AIDS 

Jaya Plmanabhan (https://apo-opa.info/43wY6KX), chief scientist at innovation consultancy Newfire Global (https://apo-opa.info/44UF3eR) who trains health AI models for a living, says he is particularly excited about how large language models could be trained to revolutionise virtual expertise on diseases such as HIV and AIDS. “We call these ‘Role Specific Domain Models’ and they have the potential to be programmed to know everything about a particular disease, to better guide healthcare professionals on how to treat patients. This is a tremendously exciting prospect in the mission to end new HIV infections by 2030.”  

These Private Language Models (PLMs) become oracles on a subject and are especially useful in helping solve hard problems in HIV management, such as loss to follow-up – a term for patients who drop off treatment. “Trying to find patients is critical to ensure that they don’t become resistant to drugs due to skipping doses. We can make our outreach much more engaging through conversational messages in their mother tongue and this can help us get people back into the clinic and back into care,” explains Ruan Viljoen (https://apo-opa.info/3XZcdHV), Chief Technology Officer of the BroadReach Group.

Start with the problem, not the solution 

“There is a quote that says we should fall in love with the problem, not the solution, which in this case is AI,” says Viljoen.  “I believe the biggest challenge is still health inequity – healthcare access can vary depending on race, location, or age.” 

Viljoen said GenAI can help solve practical problems, such as frontline healthcare workers being overburdened and not having enough time. “What are the repetitive, administrative tasks that are stealing their time? For instance, GenAI can help nurses with automated note-taking in patient interviews, relieving an administrative burden. The goal is not to replace the role but to free up their time for value-added work.”  

One of the greatest uses of AI in health is to help healthcare workers focus on the next best action. “We can use large datasets and extract insights to help healthcare workers, delivered via easy-to-digest and secure messaging like emails or text messages. This is nothing new – we’ve done this in some form for nearly a decade using our AI-enabled platform, Vantage (https://apo-opa.info/3qJ1Tax). What I’m most excited about, is how we can augment the quality of the interactions to bring together human and artificial intelligence.” 

We need to change this paradigm to be more effective by matching the supply and demand sides of our health systems in new digital ways

Heeding the risks and creating guardrails

Vedantha Singh (https://apo-opa.info/3OglE2l), an AI ethics in healthcare researcher and virologist from the University of Cape Town, said the top ethical considerations for AI in healthcare are privacy, accuracy, and fairness. She urged at all AI systems should start with guardrails and ethics within their foundational design.

“There is a perception that there are no regulations for the use of AI in healthcare, but to assume we are operating in the wild west is not true. International bodies are sharing guidelines and regulation is slowly evolving – including in Africa. Egypt, Rwanda and Mauritius already have strong AI policies,” says Singh. This includes an emphasis on human labour not being completely replaced and giving patients agency over how their data is used.

Singh says that companies must embed ethical guardrails – aka ‘guardrails by design’ in their health products from the start. Plmanabhan adds that GenAI can reduce costs and personalise care, but it must be used carefully. “For example, if the data is biased, the model will be biased. GenAI can also be used to create fake patient profiles to commit fraud.” Unbiased, quality data which complies to regulations such as HIPAA and POPIA or GDPR must be prioritised.

Plmanabhan emphasises the importance of patients giving informed consent, knowing how GenAI is being used on their data. “We need to stay committed to immovable core principles – we cannot compromise on the human in the middle of it all.”

Reaching the hardest to reach patients 

Viljoen says GenAI is not just improving healthcare for urban patients. Those in deeply rural areas could benefit too.

“Internet connectivity and satellite communication are becoming more ubiquitous. A few things provide hope: Big cloud providers are providing more ‘edge computing’ for rural areas, the mobile phone is becoming a very powerful computer in the pockets of people all around the world, and small rural clinics can use smaller GenAI models which require smaller amounts of data and computing power– they don’t need to use ChatGPT,” says Viljoen.  

Plmanabhan explains that there are secondary GenAI models that can function offline. The primary models are always online, with and secondary models sending information back to the primary model once it is back online.  

Hope for an equitable healthcare revolution

GenAI can increase affordable and equitable healthcare through the automation of routine tasks. To create a world where more equitable healthcare exists, it is critical to establish strong partnerships between donors, policy makers, researchers, and healthcare implementers.  

Viljoen concludes, “We need to be experiment rapidly with AI, and deploy cautiously. It’s an incredible time to work in health technology and to see how we can use it to at last achieve health equity.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BroadReach Group.

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Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Critical Minerals & Industrialisation Forum’s digital webinar series kicks off on 26 August

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4 hours ago

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August 13, 2026

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“Insights, market intelligence and strategic discussions”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 13, 2026/APO Group/ –The organisers of the DRC Critical Minerals & Industrialisation Forum (DCMI), co‑located with the DRC‑Africa Battery Metals Forum, have announced the first dates of its exclusive, upcoming, high-impact digital webinar series.

While the event was meant to take place in Kinshasa from 7 to 8 October, the event organisers, VUKA Group, postponed the in-person Forum to 2027 to align directly with the DRC Government’s updated national policy frameworks and to allow the revised roadmaps for the $58 billion Master Plan for Industrialisation (Plan Directeur d’Industrialisation, PDI) to mature.

The digital webinar series will kick off on 26 August and run until 2027, providing convenient access to the insights, market intelligence and strategic discussions planned for the live event.

Expert speakers and moderators confirmed to participate in these webinars include:
– Edmond Cibamba Diata, Lawyer, Elite Law Firm, DRC 
– Shantha Bloemen, CEO, Mobility for Africa, Zimbabwe
– Bryan Mav, Sales Team Manager & Brand Manager, Moderne Construction, DRC
– Ghislain Kabumba Baderha, Doctoral Researcher, UOB, DRC
– Jem Kishabaga, Managing Director, Renewable Energy, DRC
– Prof. Hercule Kalele Mulonda, Technical Director, CCB and Representative of CAEB, DRC
– Marc Nyunzi Mutambala, Capital Markets Manager, FSD Africa, Kenya

The first four editions of the digital webinar series will focus on the following:

Webinar 1: 26 August 2026, 10h30–12h00

UNLOCKING THE DRC’S INDUSTRIAL POTENTIAL:  The A-to-Z masterclass strategy

The DRC masterclass examines how the nation can harness its mineral wealth for sustainable growth and industrialization. Experts will discuss policies to move beyond raw exports, enforce security and strengthen ESG standards. Priorities include local beneficiation, human capital development and tailored financing to balance global markets. By defining collaborative actions and investment pathways, the session seeks to accelerate value addition, enhance competitiveness and position the DRC as a responsible global leader in the minerals value chain.

Webinar 2: 23 September 2026, 10h30–12h00

FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE & INDUSTRIALISATION DEVELOPMENT

The panel on infrastructure and industrialisation highlights the DRC’s need to move beyond raw material extraction by focusing on local transformation. Building resilient industries will drive job creation and strengthen the economy. Experts will examine how transport, energy and logistics projects accelerate industrialisation, with case studies such as ports, railways and cross‑border initiatives. By prioritising strategic development and leveraging mineral revenues, the DRC can unlock sustainable growth and position itself as a competitive hub within the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Webinar 3: 21 October 2026, 10h30–12h00

NEW TECHNOLOGIES DRIVING THE GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSITION

This session explores how technology and ESG‑aligned investment can transform the DRC’s critical minerals sector. With global demand for lithium, cobalt, nickel and copper rising, responsible sourcing and compliance are essential to build investor confidence. Discussions will focus on local processing, advanced metallurgical methods, renewable energy and automation to accelerate industrialisation. By shifting from raw exports to in‑country beneficiation, the DRC can strengthen sustainability, unlock long‑term value and position itself as a competitive player in the global energy transition.

Webinar 4: 18 November 2026, 10h30–12h00

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: BUILDING A STRONGER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE CRITICAL MINERALS VALUE CHAIN

This discussion explores how strategic partnerships can strengthen the DRC’s critical minerals value chain. By fostering collaboration between governments, regional integration systems and investors, the focus is on building resilience and supporting sustainable growth. Key themes include industrialisation through global partnerships, prioritising sectors for development and aligning with international partners. With effective models of cooperation, the DRC can unlock socio‑economic benefits, enhance competitiveness and establish a stronger foundation for a sustainable and inclusive minerals sector.

DRC’s transition
DCMI unites government, industry and investors to accelerate the country’s transition from raw‑material extraction to high‑value manufacturing, underscoring the nation’s opportunity to convert mineral wealth into infrastructure, jobs and sustainable economic growth.

The DRC’s Ministries of Mines and of Industry and Federation of Enterprises of Congo (FEC) are official partners of the event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Nedbank and Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Partner to Launch Women Enterprise Growth and Export Programme in South Africa

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5 hours ago

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August 13, 2026

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AWIEF

It will support 75 women-owned SMMEs over three years, with 25 businesses selected for each annual cohort

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 13, 2026/APO Group/ –The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org) has partnered with Nedbank to launch a new programme – Women Enterprise Growth and Export. This new initiative builds on Nedbank and AWIEF’s long-term relationship and partnership since 2018, implementing the AWIEF Growth Accelerator and investment readiness programme in South Africa.

The Nedbank – AWIEF Women Enterprise Growth and Export is a 12-month business and enterprise supplier development programme for established South African Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME) or Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE) that are at least 51% owned by black women.

The programme is intended for product-based businesses and is designed to help participants strengthen their operations, improve their finance, market and export readiness, and access larger domestic, regional, African, and international markets.

It forms part of a three-year partnership between Nedbank and AWIEF that will support 75 women-owned SMMEs, with 25 businesses selected for each annual cohort.

The programme targets growth-stage businesses that are already operating, generating revenue, and looking to scale and expand. Participating businesses should have the potential to strengthen their systems, increase production, fulfilment or distribution capacity, supply larger buyers, enter new markets, and progress towards regional or international expansion.

It will support 75 women-owned SMMEs over three years, with 25 businesses selected for each annual cohort.

The official and in-person launch of the programme will take place at the AWIEF2026 Conference and Exhibition on 10 – 11 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town.

Call for Applications for 2026 Cohort of 25 Businesses

Applications are invited from qualifying businesses for the 2026 Cohort of 25 participants.

Eligibility & Who Can Apply

To qualify for the Nedbank – AWIEF Women Enterprise Growth and Export Programme, businesses must meet the following requirements:

  • Be legally registered and operating in South Africa
  • Be at least 51% owned by black women, as defined under the B-BBEE Act
  • Qualify as an Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME) or Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) under the B-BBEE code applicable to their main business activities
  • Be post-revenue, currently trading, and serving paying customers
  • Looking to expand their market access nationally, regionally, intra-Africa, and internationally
  • Be product-based and produce, manufacture, process, assemble, package, formulate, or distribute physical products
  • Operate in one of the priority sectors
  • Founder commits to a 12-month programme

Priority Sectors

The programme is open to businesses in the following sectors:

  • Agriculture and Agro-processing
  • Manufacturing
  • Building and Construction
  • Green Economy and Renewable Energy
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Cleaning and Hygiene
  • Textile, Apparel and Accessories
  • Beauty, Wellness, and Personal Care
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Design and Craft
  • Circular Economy

Programme Timeline

7 September 2026
Applications Close

September – October 2026
Application screening and selection of 25 participating businesses

10 – 11 November 2026
Official Programme Launch and in-person 2-day bootcamp at AWIEF2026 Conference and Exhibition, CTICC, Cape Town

November 2026 – October 2027
Programme Implementation

Programme Benefits

Selected businesses will receive 12 months of tailored, practical support to strengthen their operations and products, prepare for larger markets and pursue sustainable growth.

  • Business growth support
  • Individual diagnostic and development plan
  • Coaching and technical mentoring
  • Product, supplier and retail readiness
  • Market access support
  • Finance and investment readiness
  • Export readiness support
  • Regional trade and partnership opportunities – support to explore AfCFTA-related opportunities, including B2B contracts, joint ventures, and co-production arrangements
  • Networking and buyer linkages – opportunities to connect with mentors, buyers, institutions, finance providers, and other women entrepreneurs.
  • AWIEF2026 Conference participation – free access to the AWIEF2026 Conference in Cape Town, including selected programme-related travel and accommodation support.
  • Ongoing progress tracking – regular reviews to monitor implementation, business growth, job creation, market access, and progress against the Individual Development Plan.

Application Submission

Applications are submitted online until 7 September 2026, 11:59 SAST, only through this official link: https://apo-opa.co/4woMRTe

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).

 

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Mercuria Deepens African Critical Minerals Play Ahead of African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 Bronze Partnership

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9 hours ago

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August 13, 2026

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African Energy Chamber

Mercuria joins AEW 2026 as a Bronze Partner, showcasing its expanding investment strategy across Africa’s critical minerals, mining finance and energy sectors

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 12, 2026/APO Group/ –As commodity markets enter a new era defined by a rising demand for critical minerals, Mercuria Energy Group is rapidly expanding its global footprint through major acquisitions, strategic joint ventures and infrastructure investments. Against this backdrop, the company will participate as a Bronze Partner at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16, where it will engage African governments, national oil companies and industry leaders on the next generation of energy investment opportunities.

Mercuria’s latest expansion reflects a strategy centered on controlling physical assets alongside its global trading operations. In June 2026, the company signed a marketing agreement and inventory prepayment facility with Lotus Resources. The agreement will support the commercialization of approximately 1.3 million kg of uranium from Malawi’s Kayelekera Mine over 30 months, strengthening the country’s role in global nuclear fuel supply while demonstrating growing investor confidence in African mining assets.

The company is also deepening its presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s most strategic critical mineral producers. In February, Mercuria completed its first purchases of responsibly sourced copper and cobalt from Enterprise Générale du Cobalt following a strategic agreement to strengthen traceability across artisanal mining supply chains. The partnership supports greater transparency while expanding international market access for Congolese minerals.

Access to innovative financing and global commodity markets will be essential to unlocking Africa’s full energy and mining potential

Mercuria continues to increase its financial commitment to Africa’s mining sector through large-scale prepayment financing that provides producers with development capital in exchange for long-term supply agreements. This approach is helping miners secure financing outside traditional banking channels while supporting new production across minerals essential to electrification, battery manufacturing and advanced technologies.

The company has also been linked to discussions surrounding the proposed development of Western critical mineral supply chains anchored by the DRC’s Kipushi Mine. By supporting financing structures for copper, zinc and other strategic minerals, Mercuria is reinforcing Africa’s role as a long-term supplier of resources required for global industrial growth and the energy transition.

These investments are supported by a significantly strengthened financial position. Mercuria reported an 88% increase in first-half 2026 profit and subsequently retained earnings to expand its equity base rather than distribute dividends. In June 2026, the company further enhanced its capacity to finance large-scale investments by securing a $3.84 billion multicurrency revolving credit facility, providing additional liquidity to support future projects, including across African markets.

“Access to innovative financing and global commodity markets will be essential to unlocking Africa’s full energy and mining potential,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Mercuria’s growing investment across African critical minerals and resource value chains makes the company a valuable addition to AEW 2026, where industry leaders will shape the partnerships needed to drive the continent’s next phase of growth.”

Mercuria’s participation at AEW 2026 comes as African producers seek greater access to capital, trading expertise and commercial partnerships capable of accelerating resource development. As countries pursue new investment across hydrocarbons, critical minerals and associated infrastructure, the company’s integrated approach to financing, marketing and commodity trading offers a relevant model for unlocking large-scale projects across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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