South Asia, home to nearly two billion people, accounts for one-third of the global population. With 72 births occurring every minute, the region has one of the highest birth rates worldwide—19 births per 1,000 people annually. However, South Asia lags in meeting the United Nations target of reducing maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births. Currently, the maternal mortality rate stands at 157 deaths per 100,000 live births, with most deaths occurring during or shortly after childbirth.
Multiple social, cultural, and healthcare system challenges contribute to this crisis. Early marriage, teenage pregnancies, and high numbers of unplanned births increase maternal health risks. Limited access to quality reproductive health services, low levels of education, gender inequality, and intimate partner violence further exacerbate the situation. Rural women face additional barriers such as inadequate transportation and restrictive cultural norms that limit mobility.
Healthcare systems in the region struggle to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. Overburdened facilities leave healthcare workers with insufficient time for counseling, and many frontline workers lack continuous training. Frequent shortages of essential medical supplies, including contraceptives, further hinder service delivery. Additionally, outdated health systems fail to generate timely data to inform policy decisions and improve service quality.
AI-Sarosh: A Technological Breakthrough
To address these challenges, the Artificial Intelligence for Sexual and Reproductive Health for South Asia Hub (AI-Sarosh) has been launched. Funded by the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC) through the Artificial Intelligence for Global Health (AI4GH) program, AI-Sarosh is a collaborative initiative between PHC Global, Pakistan, and the G.T.A. Foundation, Nepal. This regional effort integrates AI into healthcare solutions to enhance accessibility, quality, and equity in sexual and reproductive health services.
AI-Sarosh promotes AI-powered innovations through grants and collaborative projects that address key areas such as maternal health, family planning, adolescent reproductive health, and mental health. By fostering partnerships among research institutions, healthcare organizations, and technology firms, the initiative seeks to revolutionize healthcare delivery.
AI-Sarosh Projects Across South Asia
AI-Sarosh is spearheading several AI-driven projects to improve maternal and reproductive health outcomes:
Postnatal Depression and Gestational Diabetes Detection (Pakistan): AI models predict and detect postnatal depression and gestational diabetes early, ensuring timely interventions for maternal and newborn health.
AI-Powered Adolescent and Maternal Health (Bangladesh): This initiative integrates AI into digital health platforms to provide education, consultations, and referrals, challenging social stigmas and identifying pregnancy risks.
Maternal Health Improvement (Sri Lanka): AI tools assist in predicting preterm births and postnatal depression, reducing maternal health risks.
AI-Enhanced Cervical Cancer Screening and Fetal Ultrasound (Nepal): AI improves early cervical cancer detection and enhances fetal ultrasound imaging in resource-limited healthcare settings.
AI-Sarosh’s Vision and Goals
AI-Sarosh aims to be a catalyst for healthcare innovation in South Asia by:
Encouraging Cross-Sector Collaboration: Bringing together AI experts, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to develop innovative solutions.
Enhancing Knowledge Sharing: Bridging the gap between AI specialists and healthcare implementers to foster innovation and best practices.
Ensuring Safe and Effective Services: Delivering AI-powered healthcare solutions that prioritize women and adolescents’ needs.
Promoting Ethical AI Use: Advocating for responsible AI implementation to ensure fairness and inclusivity in healthcare access.
Challenges in AI Adoption
Despite its potential, integrating AI into healthcare in South Asia presents several challenges:
Data Security and Privacy: Safeguarding patient information while utilizing AI-driven insights.
Data Availability: The lack of high-quality, labeled datasets hinders AI model training.
Regulatory Barriers: Existing policies may not fully address AI applications in healthcare.
Resistance to AI Adoption: Healthcare professionals may hesitate to embrace AI due to job security concerns and reluctance to change traditional practices.
Financial Constraints: AI development and deployment require substantial investments, particularly in low-resource settings.
Ethical Considerations: Addressing potential biases and ensuring transparency in AI-driven decision-making.
A Path Toward Sustainable Healthcare Solutions
AI-Sarosh envisions a future where AI-driven innovations bridge healthcare gaps, making reproductive and maternal health services more accessible and equitable. By fostering regional and global collaboration, supporting research, and ensuring responsible AI implementation, AI-Sarosh is set to transform healthcare across South Asia. As the initiative expands, it stands as a testament to how AI can drive meaningful and sustainable healthcare improvements in the region.
Niranjan Parajuli is a program officer at AI-Sarosh.
