Enhancing integrated research and healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa through digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence

Expected Impact: Expected Impact The actions funded under this topic should contribute to strengthening clinical human capital base in R&I, enhancing talent retention, knowledge sharing of best practices within the research and innovation landscape, accelerate integration of digital tools into health systems, expand and scale up validated innovations with tangible implementation at national and/or sub-regional levels. Applicant consortium If requested by the applicant consortia, the EDCTP Association may offer technical support for the preparation of their proposal, in particular because of the lump sum nature of the Grant Agreement. The applicant consortia may also decide to include the EDCTP Association as coordinator. In that case, the applicant consortia should contact the EDCTP Association to obtain the estimated amount of the Association’s contribution as well as any other relevant information. The EDCTP Association will timely provide the necessary information to all potential applicants. Expected Outcome: Background Digital health has the potential to reshape and enable the implementation of integrated research and healthcare delivery across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), especially in communities that are underserved or hard to reach. With tools such as mobile health platforms, electronic health records, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), health services can become more efficient and accessible, responding to the needs of strengthening the research and development settings in SSA. Despite the ongoing rapid advances, SSA countries are still lagging behind, and there is an increasing gap with the developed world where digital innovation and machine learning is expected to deliver significant changes to healthcare. Digital tools currently in use are fragmented, incompatible with each other, and limited in their reach. In addition, the use of AI is creating more opportunities, but there is a need to ensure future technologies are based on models that include data from SSA countries. Recent strategies, including the WHO’s Global Strategy on Digital Health (2020–2025), the African Union’s Digital Health Framework, and the Africa CDC’s Digital Transformation Strategy, call for urgent action. These frameworks emphasise the need to invest in people-focused, sustainable digital solutions that are locally informed and globally aligned. This Coordination and Support Action (CSA) focuses on addressing these disparities. It aims to bring together national governments, regional institutions, researchers, healthcare providers, and private sector partners t…