Oxipit is delighted to announce a partnership with Imcon Consulting for the distribution of autonomous radiology reporting solutions within Africa, starting with a memorandum of understanding with the Rwandan Ministry of Health. This collaboration is a key milestone in our mission to address the critical shortage of radiologists in developing countries, where access to timely and accurate diagnoses remains a challenge.
Together, Oxipit and Imcon will work to establish world-class AI operations that align with Rwanda’s digital health strategy and National Strategic Transformation initiative, and to support the development of local expertise. Building on ongoing monitoring of product performance, safety, and effectiveness, Oxipit’s innovative AI tools, including ChestLink and ChestEye, will be integrated into Rwanda’s healthcare system, with the backing of Imcon’s established digital health expertise. This partnership aims to ensure that AI-driven radiology solutions are not only deployed but continuously refined to meet the evolving needs of Rwanda’s healthcare infrastructure, and eventually beyond into the wider African continent.
Tackling the Radiologist Shortages with AI
Presently, Rwanda faces significant challenges in meeting healthcare demands, with fewer than one radiologic unit per million people for all imaging modalities except X-ray, leading to considerable challenges in addressing the country’s healthcare demands. Chest X-rays, which make up a large portion of radiological exams, often face substantial delays before a report is received. In most cases, due to overwhelming demand, these scans are interpreted by non-specialists, further contributing to slower diagnoses and an increased error rate.
Oxipit’s ChestLink solution, the first EU-certified autonomous AI system, is designed to address this issue. It independently reports on confidently normal chest X-rays, removing them from the radiologist’s worklist and allowing professionals to focus on more complex cases. Additionally, ChestEye assists doctors in identifying potential abnormalities in the remaining X-rays. These solutions significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of radiology services, which is particularly crucial in regions with limited medical resources.
Imcon Consulting’s CEO, Professor Keith Straughan, highlights the impact of this technology: “For many developing health systems, AI solutions like ChestLink offer a massive leap forward, especially for efficient screening programmes for diseases like tuberculosis, which remains a major health concern in Africa.”
Scaling AI Solutions Across Africa
Rwanda has positioned itself as a leader in digital infrastructure and healthcare innovation. The government’s investment in fibre optics as early as 2006 has laid the groundwork for the successful deployment of AI-driven healthcare solutions. This partnership with Imcon aligns with Rwanda’s broader goal of becoming a knowledge-based economy and a leader in healthcare digitisation.
The scalability of Oxipit’s solutions does not stop with Rwanda. Once successfully implemented, these AI tools have the potential to be rolled out across other African nations. The beauty of AI in healthcare lies in its ability to function efficiently even in regions with limited human resources, making it a powerful solution for many countries across the continent. As Professor Straughan remarked, “Rwanda is the perfect test bed—if we can show success here, the potential to roll this out across Africa is immense.”
A Sustainable and Collaborative Approach
Beyond providing technology, Oxipit is committed to sustainability and local capacity-building. We are investing in the education and training of healthcare professionals in Rwanda to ensure long-term success. This collaborative approach empowers local clinicians to harness the power of AI, ensuring that the benefits are felt not just today but well into the future.
Rwanda’s healthcare leaders have demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation, recognising the strategic importance of AI in healthcare transformation. This leadership buy-in is crucial for ensuring the integration of AI into national healthcare strategies and long-term success.
As Oxipit CEO Peter Corscadden states, “We’ve already seen how automated reporting solutions like ChestLink and ChestEye can enhance the speed and accuracy of X-ray reporting. We’re excited to work with Professor Straughan and uncover just how transformative this technology can be in opening access to digital healthcare.”
A Partnership for Lasting Impact
This partnership exemplifies the immense potential of AI in transforming healthcare in developing countries, not just by improving delivery but also by building a future-ready healthcare system. “What sets this collaboration apart is its emphasis on co-creation. Oxipit and Imcon are working closely with local healthcare providers to develop solutions that meet Rwanda’s specific needs”.
“As we move forward, the lessons learned from this partnership will help support the visionary Rwandan plans for healthcare AI, while further enhancing Oxipit autonomous solutions that directly address the crisis of global radiologist shortage. The future of healthcare is digital, and Oxipit is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, helping to improve healthcare outcomes in Rwanda and beyond” Corscadden remarked.