From Prediction to Prevention: Tackling Nairobi’s Public Health Crises with AI
By Mahak Kaur
In Nairobi’s urban slums, where sanitation systems struggle to keep up with the city’s rapid growth, waterborne diseases remain a major threat. Climate change and environmental degradation only deepen the challenge, creating conditions ripe for outbreaks. Amid this complex landscape, a student from Kenya is using artificial intelligence to reimagine how such public health crises are managed.
On November 16, 2024, the AI for Global Health Innovation (AI4GHI) 2024 Student Summit showcased innovative ideas from the Global South. Among the standout participants was Eric Musanyi, a postgraduate student at the Kenya Medical Training College, who presented his project, “AI-Driven Predictive Model for Waterborne Disease Outbreaks in Nairobi.”
A Data-Driven Approach to a Persistent Challenge
Eric’s work tackles the root causes of waterborne disease outbreaks by focusing on prediction rather than reaction. In Nairobi’s slums, where infrastructure gaps and rapid urbanization exacerbate health risks, early warnings could save countless lives.
“The most fun part was brainstorming creative solutions for global health challenges,” Eric shared. “But narrowing down my ideas while maintaining the technical depth and clarity needed for my solution was the most challenging part.”
His project leverages machine learning algorithms to forecast outbreaks with remarkable precision. Drawing on diverse datasets—including climate data, environmental factors, and historical health records—the AI model detects patterns and generates early warnings. It was developed through meticulous processes of data preprocessing, feature selection, and model tuning, ensuring both accuracy and applicability.
Promising Results, Big Implications
Eric’s predictive model demonstrated an 85% sensitivity and 90% specificity in forecasting outbreaks. Preliminary findings suggest that early alerts generated by the model could reduce reported cases by 30% during high-risk periods compared to conventional monitoring approaches.
“This competition expanded my understanding of how AI can solve critical global health issues,” Eric explained. “I honed my problem-solving skills and explored innovative tools like predictive analytics and AI-powered surveillance systems.”
Beyond the Technology
What makes Eric’s project particularly compelling is its integration of local knowledge. In addition to climate and health data, the model incorporates insights from community surveys, reflecting the lived experiences of Nairobi’s most vulnerable residents.
The AI4GHI competition brought together students and challenged them to create tools that are accessible and impactful in resource-constrained settings. The potential to adapt Eric’s approach to other diseases or regions is enormous.
A Call for Collaboration
While Eric’s project has garnered significant attention, he recognizes that innovation thrives in collaboration. Reflecting on his experience at the AI4GHI Student Summit, he expressed a desire for more opportunities to connect with peers and mentors in the future.
“I would love to see more networking and collaboration opportunities, perhaps even follow-up workshops or incubator programs to develop our projects further,” he said.
Eric also praised the event’s organizers, calling the summit a “transformative experience” and a much-needed platform for young innovators to address real-world problems.
Toward a Smarter Public Health Future
As Nairobi continues to grapple with the challenges of urbanization and climate change, solutions like Eric’s AI-driven model represent a critical shift in how public health crises are managed. By focusing on prediction, prevention, and local engagement, Eric’s work offers a blueprint for addressing health risks in cities worldwide.
At its heart, his project is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary innovation—where technology meets community-driven action.
About the Event
The AI4GHI 2024 Student Summit brought together student innovators from across the Global South to address pressing health challenges using artificial intelligence. Eric Musanyi’s project stood out not only for its technical sophistication but also for its commitment to equitable and actionable solutions in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
For more on Eric’s project, read his abstract: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15fZ5h61TB-ZI7lX0JXTf-GOsc3-hHAks/view
Watch a video on Eric’s work: https://www.loom.com/share/24bd2f7ed8654ba3998c35738ce697af?sid=d27767b3-3608-49d5-9031-ef958f997378
Learn more about the amazing work from all our finalists: https://ai4pep.org/ai4ghi-finalists/