NWU professor says AI can transform South African health care
Leenta Grobler outlines how digital health tools can improve access and efficiency in resource‑constrained settings.
In an interview with Aki Anastasiou, Professor Leenta Grobler, NWU’s associate professor of Digital Health Innovation, explained how artificial intelligence can reshape South Africa’s health system. She has a background in computer and electronics engineering and has been applying engineering methods to health care since 2016, focusing on patient monitoring, treatment adherence and clinical decision‑making.
Grobler leads NWU’s multidisciplinary Digital Health and HealthTech Innovation programme, which builds practical solutions for remote or over‑burdened clinics. Her team is creating tools that let patients far from specialists receive timely care and help clinicians manage workloads more efficiently.
She also warned that technology should support, not replace, human judgement. A successful digital health solution, she said, must blend AI with clear hand‑over points for health professionals.
Why it matters to your business
Founders in South Africa’s health tech space can tap into proven academic research to accelerate product development. Grobler’s work shows that AI can lower costs, extend reach and improve outcomes in a market where many communities lack specialist care.
Understanding where technology ends and human oversight begins helps avoid regulatory pitfalls and builds trust with patients and providers, a critical factor for scaling health solutions locally.
What to do on Monday
- Review your product roadmap for AI features that aid monitoring, adherence or decision support.
- Reach out to NWU’s Digital Health programme for potential research partnerships or pilot opportunities.
- Map out clear human‑in‑the‑loop processes to ensure compliance and user confidence.
Sources
Reported by mybroadband.co.za.