The Aga Khan University (AKU) has received a substantial research grant of Ksh. 19.6 million from the National Institutes of Health to conduct clinical testing on a low-cost handheld 3D medical imaging device for cervical cancer detection in Kenya.
This grant is part of a larger two-year initiative totaling Ksh. 261 million, funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The project aims to complete research and development and conduct clinical trials of the device at AKU in Kenya, the University of Science and Technology in Malawi, and Virginia Tech (VT) Carilion School of Medicine in the United States.
Dr. Elkanah Omenge, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at AKU Medical College, East Africa, and Co-Principal Investigator on the grant, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity. He emphasized the importance of addressing the burden of cervical cancer in Kenya through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
Cervical cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with the highest incidence and mortality rates found in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among women, yet it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this population.
The collaboration with Pensievision, Inc., an imaging technology startup, is a pivotal aspect of the study. Dr. Joe Carson, Co-Principal Investigator and Chief Technology Officer at Pensievision, expressed excitement about the partnership with AKU and the opportunity to deploy life-saving technologies for cervical cancer prevention.
The clinical testing in Kenya, scheduled to begin in September 2024, will involve Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, alongside its outreach medical centers and community-level settings. This initiative represents a significant step forward in the fight against cervical cancer and underscores the importance of innovative approaches to healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings.
