WHO deploys AI-powered heath threat detector in DRC

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has deployed an artificial intelligence-powered preparedness platform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to strengthen early detection of health threats as the country responds to Ebola.

The Preparedness Data Exchange (PDX) platform, deployed by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, brings together health and risk information to help authorities identify potential outbreaks early and improve preparedness for public health emergencies.

The platform connects the DRC to a regional intelligence system serving all 47 member states in the WHO African Region, allowing national health teams to access timely information and better understand emerging health risks.

According to Dr Dick Chamla, programme area manager of the WHO Regional Emergency Hub in Nairobi, the deployment will improve access to critical information needed to guide health emergency decisions.

He said linking national and regional intelligence was particularly important as the country responds to Ebola amid significant cross-border movement, adding that early warnings could help authorities detect risks sooner and take appropriate action.

The deployment comes amid the DRC’s complex public health situation, characterised by population movement and cross-border health risks. Timely access to epidemic intelligence is expected to support situational awareness and help health authorities identify emerging threats.

In a related development, Dure Technologies, in collaboration with WHO, has installed Voyage Santé, a digital points-of-entry system, at key locations, including N’djili International Airport and the Nord Bangui border post.

The system is designed to strengthen screening and early detection at points of entry, enabling health authorities to identify potential threats and take appropriate public health measures.

WHO said combining digital screening systems with preparedness intelligence could improve the link between early warning, disease surveillance and emergency response.

The DRC is the first country to deploy the PDX platform, as WHO works to strengthen preparedness intelligence across the African Region. Further deployments are planned in other countries to improve early detection and inform public health preparedness.