What’s the Issue?
Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (ERIDs) like Ebola, cholera, and monkeypox continue to pose serious health risks in Cameroon and globally. Many of these illnesses are zoonotic, meaning they can spread from animals to humans. Controlling them requires innovative strategies that integrate human, animal, and environmental health a concept known as One Health.
What’s the Project About?
A new initiative, DigiCare Cameroon, brings together researchers from two Cameroonian universities, University of Buea and University of Ngaoundéré, to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a holistic “Digital One Health” approach. This means looking at human, animal, and environmental health together using digital tools.
The initiative is part of the AI4PEP network, which focuses on pandemic and epidemic preparedness in low- and middle-income countries. It is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG5: Gender Equality). The project is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, with grant number 109981-001.
What Are They Doing?
• AI for early detection: Using smart algorithms to predict disease outbreaks before they spread.
• Data-driven decision-making: Interactive dashboards visualize health statistics, improve transparency, and help authorities allocate resources effectively
• Mobile apps and chatbots: provide tailored, locally relevant health information and Helping people access reliable health info and request home healthcare services.
• Community engagement: Working closely with local communities to ensure tech solutions are practical and inclusive. ensuring vulnerable populations are prioritized, fostering trust and accessibility.
• Pilot health centers: implement digital health systems to collect patient-level data for AI-powered predictive modeling. And building digital systems to track and predict disease in real time.
Why This Matters
This collaboration helps:
• Strengthen public health systems
• Train a new generation of tech-savvy health professionals
• Bring cutting-edge science directly to communities; By integrating AI within the Digital One Health approach, the project enhances Cameroon’s preparedness and response to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
• Contribute to global health goals for better wellbeing and gender equity.
Voices from the Launch
The project was officially launched on November 23, 2023, at the University of Buea. Officials, students, community leaders, and government representatives highlighted DigiCare as a timely and transformative project for disease prevention in Cameroon. Formal partnerships were established between the University of Buea and the University of Ngaoundéré, supporting collaborative research and data-driven health interventions. At the launch in November 2023, officials, students, and community leaders hailed DigiCare as a timely and transformative project
Challenges and Solutions
The team is also addressing important issues like data privacy, ethical AI use, and ensuring no one is left behind. They are building trust through transparency and local involvement.
The Way Forward
With baseline data collection underway, DigiCare is developing AI tools and digital health platforms that combine human, animal, and environmental information. This inter-university collaboration promises to reduce disease burden, strengthen health systems, and support evidence-driven public health policies in Cameroon.
Read the Full Article
Access the full scientific paper here
Tanue et al., 2025 | Frontiers in Digital Health