NTL HEALTHCARE has confirmed the potential for real-world use of its AI-powered cervical screening system, CerviCARE AI, through a pilot conducted in Uganda in 2025. The project, run in collaboration with the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), the Uganda Cancer Institute, and the National Cancer Center Korea, lays groundwork for the company's entry into African national screening markets.
Cervical cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Uganda, with an estimated 6,938 new cases and 4,179 deaths annually, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer's GLOBOCAN 2022 report. The country, like many in Africa, lacks sufficient screening infrastructure, including HPV testing, pathology services, and specialist interpretation.
Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), which uses acetic acid to identify visible abnormalities on the cervix, remains the primary screening method. Results can vary depending on the examiner's experience, and referral and follow-up systems are limited.
How the on-device AI system works
Dr.CerviCARE AI provides analysis results within five seconds of image capture, without an internet connection or a separate cloud server. It includes a 4K high-resolution image sensor, autofocus, and an AI-assisted image quality guide to reduce variation in image quality caused by differences in examiner experience.
The system is designed to support consistent image capture and faster screening decisions, even where specialists and medical infrastructure are scarce. In the pilot, UCI assessed the solution's clinical applicability in local healthcare settings, while KOFIH supported capacity-building and the National Cancer Center Korea reviewed the project's clinical and public health significance.
Beyond technical validation
The pilot tested the system in actual public health settings, not just in controlled conditions. If on-site image capture and AI analysis become available in areas with limited access to screening, they could reduce delays in obtaining results and speed up decisions on additional testing or treatment referral.
"The Uganda pilot confirmed the potential of CerviCARE® AI's on-device technology to support healthcare professionals' screening decisions and training even in settings with limited medical infrastructure," said NTL HEALTHCARE CEO Taehee Kim. "As early screening is critical for cervical cancer, we will contribute to building an environment in which more women, including those in areas with limited access to healthcare, can receive timely screening."
Next steps in Uganda
NTL HEALTHCARE plans to launch a follow-up comparative study between standard VIA and CerviCARE AI at health centers in Uganda. The company aims to optimize the system for integration into African national screening programs and expand its participation in international cooperation projects.
Since 1996, NTL HEALTHCARE has worked in cervical cancer screening and is expanding its AI-based women's health screening business globally. The Uganda pilot marks the starting point of its strategy to participate in national screening systems across Africa.
Why this matters for healthcare professionals
For healthcare professionals working in AI for Healthcare, the pilot shows how an on-device AI tool can support clinical decisions without reliable connectivity. That matters in low-resource settings where specialist interpretation is scarce and screening backlogs are common.
The broader signal is operational: AI-assisted screening can be deployed where infrastructure is limited, not just in well-connected hospitals. For clinicians and program managers, that changes what population-level screening could look like in underserved regions.
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