The National Cancer Institute has partnered with a Nairobi-based software company to create a cancer registry using artificial intelligence.
A cancer registry is a system that collects and analyses data about cancer cases within a specific population or area, aiming to track cancer incidence, mortality, survival, and other relevant factors to support research and inform cancer control initiatives.
NCI partnered with Intellisoft a Nairobi technology company, to create the registry, which will support cancer response in Kenya.
This was revealed on Friday at a meeting held in Nairobi on “Promoting Artificial Intelligence in Health Development,” organized by the Kenya Editors Guild.
"Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality in Kenya, yet early detection and better management can significantly reduce fatalities, AI-powered dashboards provide real-time data analysis, enabling oncologists and policymakers to make informed decisions that enhance cancer surveillance and treatment outcomes," said Dr Terry Mochire, an expert in AI-driven health solutions at Intellisoft.
She said in the beginning they will monitor cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women in Kenya.
The firm has also created AfyaAI, a mobile application utilising Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Gemini to tackle risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Kenyan youth.
AI was Initially limited to basic rule-based systems but has since evolved through machine learning, deep learning and natural language processing, enabling it to analyse vast amounts of data and generate human-like interactions.
The Afya AI delivers personalised health information and push behavioral change, aiming to curb premature deaths linked to lifestyle-related illnesses.
However, as AI continues to revolutionise health communication, experts warned of challenges related to data quality, bias, privacy and security. Incomplete or biased datasets can lead to inaccurate AI predictions, while concerns about patient data protection remain at the forefront of discussions on AI ethics in healthcare communication.
"AI can only be as good as the data it is trained on. To ensure fairness and accuracy, we need diverse and representative datasets that reflect the realities of our populations." said Dr. Mochire.
She said despite these challenges, AI presents a significant opportunity to enhance healthcare delivery in Kenya. “With innovative solutions like AfyaAI and AI-powered cancer management systems, the future of health communication is becoming more accessible, data-driven, and patient-centered,” she said.
Other experts said that beyond disease management, AI is also reshaping patient education through automated systems that generate personalised health messages. By using LLMs, patients can receive simplified, tailored explanations of their diagnoses and treatment plans, improving adherence to medical advice and reducing clinician workload.
"One of the biggest challenges in healthcare is ensuring that patients understand their conditions and treatment options, with AI-generated health summaries, we are making it easier for patients to make informed decisions about their health," said John Omondi, a healthcare IT specialist.
