NTL HEALTHCARE Introduces AI Cervical Screening Proposal at Korea-South Africa Future Dialogue

NTL HEALTHCARE Proposes Innovative AI Solutions for Cervical Cancer Screening

In an impactful presentation at the 2026 Korea-South Africa Future Dialogue held in Pretoria, NTL HEALTHCARE introduced its advanced AI-based cervical screening solution, CerviCARE AI. This event, co-hosted by the Korean Embassy and the Korea-Africa Foundation, showcased various discussions centered around the theme "AI for Public Health: Advancing Korea-South Africa Cooperation through Healthcare Innovation.” The Dialogue emphasized the crucial role of artificial intelligence in addressing public health needs, particularly in the context of the evolving healthcare landscape in both countries.

Sang-Uk Yoon, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Korean Embassy, underscored the complementary strengths of Korea and South Africa in healthcare, expressing hopes for enhanced cooperation that could significantly benefit public health initiatives across Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) was represented by Shenaaz El-Halabi, who discussed AI’s potential for global health advancement. She highlighted a program manager's statement about the importance of responsible AI that complements human judgment, along with efforts to connect Korea's medical AI and regulatory expertise to South African health concerns, particularly those related to tuberculosis and HIV.

Furthermore, David Malcomson, Acting Deputy Director-General for Asia and the Middle East at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, put forth a proposal for collaboration focusing on AI in public health. This would include promoting digital literacy, developing youth skills, and establishing joint training initiatives. These collaborative efforts would be formalized under the Korea-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission, paving the way for robust partnerships aimed at meaningful public health outcomes.

During the session, speakers including Barry Kistnasamy, Hyunchul Kim, Zodwa Dlamini, Thulo Molefi, Chanhyung Lee, and Andries Vorster engaged in discussions covering vital public health priorities. Topics such as AI diagnostics, automated documentation, and screening strategies for tuberculosis and lung diseases were at the forefront of the dialogue.

One of the highlights of the event was NTL HEALTHCARE’s Executive Vice President Dr. Jake Byun, who unveiled the capabilities of CerviCARE AI. This platform is designed specifically for the South African context and builds on NTL's extensive experience in cervical screening dating back to 1996, having analyzed over eight million cases globally. This innovative AI solution operates offline and can analyze cervical images in approximately five seconds, boasting a remarkable sensitivity of 98% for high-grade lesions, as per a 2024 study published in Scientific Reports.

Dr. Byun emphasized that CerviCARE AI is intended to support healthcare professionals in assessing, referring, treating, and following up on cases with positive HPV results, effectively complementing existing methods without replacing the clinical judgment or HPV testing. NTL HEALTHCARE proposed local clinical validation and pilot projects within hospitals, along with ongoing discussions with South African health authorities to navigate regulatory and commercialization pathways. He pointed out the importance of building local evidence in partnership with healthcare professionals as a key to sustainable adoption of the technology.

"We will work closely with local partners to create a model that aligns with South Africa's healthcare priorities," Byun stated, highlighting the company's commitment to practical and effective healthcare solutions. He expressed gratitude toward the Korea-Africa Foundation for promoting a fruitful dialogue between the two nations.

Since its inception, NTL HEALTHCARE has rolled out CerviCARE AI in over 20 countries. Following its successful introduction in Paraguay, the company aims to strengthen its healthcare and distribution networks throughout Latin America. NTL HEALTHCARE is now extending its outreach to African markets, entering new regions in phases, guided by local regulations and healthcare needs. The company encourages universities, hospitals, and healthcare organizations in Africa interested in collaboration to reach out directly via their official contact email for potential partnership opportunities.

Through these developments, NTL HEALTHCARE exemplifies the transformative power of AI in healthcare, pledging to enhance cervical cancer screening and improve health outcomes in partnership with nations across Africa.