The Aga Khan University's School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa (SONAM, EA) has officially launched the Kikohozi Classifier Project, an innovative research initiative harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the detection and management of respiratory diseases in Tanzania.

The Kikohozi Classifier Project is a locally driven research initiative that reflects AKU's commitment to developing relevant, community-centered solutions. By leveraging AI technology, the project aims to strengthen early diagnosis of respiratory conditions such tuberculosis (TB) and others, improving timely treatment and health outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings.

The project will be implemented across five regions in Tanzania: Dar es Salaam, Dodoma (including Dodoma Urban and Bahi), Kilimanjaro, Shinyanga, and Iringa, ensuring that its impact reaches diverse communities across the country.

“For 26 years, we have been known for the quality of academic programmes we provide, but not for research," said Professor Eunice Ndirangu, Dean, SONAM EA. “It is encouraging to see that the efforts we have made over the past 10 years have culminated in securing a grant from a United Kingdom research institute."

The initiative is a collaborative effort between Aga Khan University, the Emerging Technologies for Health Laboratory at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), and the University of Warwick (UK). The project has also been endorsed by the Ministry of Health and the National TB and Leprosy Programme, reinforcing strong national alignment and partnership in advancing health innovation.

“Partnerships are very important for sustainable research implementation," said Dr Kahabi Isangula, Principal Investigator of the project and faculty at SONAM EA. “Our partners in this project bring experience, diverse expertise, and strengths in grant applications, research interventions, and government engagement. This contributes to the country's objective of advocating for innovative health interventions."

Through the Kikohozi Classifier Project, SONAM, EA seeks to contribute to Tanzania's progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. By strengthening early detection systems, the project aims to reduce premature deaths, improve quality of life, and expand access to affordable and innovative healthcare solutions tailored to the needs of local communities.

“The Kikohozi project is important because it will strengthen mechanisms for detecting and managing respiratory diseases in the country," said Dr Riziki Kisonga, Programme Manager, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Ministry of Health, Tanzania. “I encourage the research assistants to uphold accuracy and integrity in data collection, as this is a pilot phase of the project. The success of this phase will be critical in enabling the expansion of this intervention to other parts of Tanzania."

This initiative underscores AKU's broader mission to combine research excellence, strategic partnerships, and innovation to address pressing health challenges and build resilient health systems.