AI-powered mammography services will help detect breast
cancer cases among women living in underprivileged communities
across Costa Rica
ABU
DHABI, UAE, April 23,
2024 /CNW/ -- Beyond2020, the flagship initiative
launched by the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE's
pioneering award for sustainability and humanitarianism, today
announced the deployment of AI-powered mammography services across
Costa Rica to support the early
detection and treatment of breast cancer for women living in
underprivileged communities.
The initiative will significantly enhance access to high quality
healthcare for women in the region. 8,000 tests will be conducted
annually using the AI-based mammography services, which have been
deployed in Juan Pablo II Medical Centre in Cartago, with plans to
deploy the services in additional health facilities in the
future.
A cutting-edge mobile unit has also been deployed, reaching
underserved areas across Costa
Rica where access to healthcare may be limited. The mobile
unit is owned and operated by CENRAD, which has reached 840 women
across 13 locations since January.
The Beyond2020 deployment in Costa
Rica was carried out by the 2022 Zayed Sustainability Prize
winner Mamotest, an Argentina-based health-tech SME and
Latin America's first
tele-mammography network, which has provided low-cost healthcare to
more than 750,000 patients and promoted awareness for millions in
the region.
H.E. Rawdha Alotaiba, Ambassador, UAE Embassy in Costa Rica, said: "Further strengthening the
bilateral relations between UAE and Costa
Rica, Beyond2020 and its partners are pleased to introduce a
project that will enhance the prosperity and wellbeing of 8,000
women annually in Costa Rica,
particularly women in remote and underprivileged communities. As we
extend the UAE's humanitarian efforts worldwide, we are dedicated
to carrying forward Sheikh Zayed's humanitarian legacy while
supporting collective action to improve lives."
Cindy Quesada Hernández, Ministry of the Status of Women (MSW),
Costa Rica, stated: "Promoting a
preventive culture and self-care contributes to women in
Costa Rica leading healthier
lives. Consequently, we express our sincerest gratitude to
Beyond2020 and its valuable partners for their significant
contribution to the progress of this goal. Their commitment to
sustainability and humanitarian aid has changed the lives of the
communities they serve, laying the foundation for a more just
society for all."
In 2022, Costa Rica reported
1,344 new breast cancer cases and 423 breast cancer deaths. Studies
find that women from disadvantaged communities have lower rates of
breast cancer detection, treatment, and survival compared to women
from more affluent areas. By extending Mamotest's services to rural
areas in Costa Rica with limited
resources, Beyond2020 is helping to advance health equity and
improve access to quality care for thousands of women. Mamotest is
the result of Guillermo Pepe's
vision, who always heard first-hand of the huge difference early
breast cancer detection could make in saving lives from his father,
a doctor specialised in breast imaging diagnosis.
"We strive to overcome hurdles with innovation, perseverance,
and a deep sense of purpose, ensuring that every woman receives the
timely and accurate care she deserves. Our platform ensures 100
percent traceability of patients and provides continuous follow-up
until they receive treatment. By harnessing the power of artificial
intelligence, Mamotest detects anomalies often overlooked by human
observation, significantly improving early-stage detection," shared
Pepe.
After winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2022, Mamotest
expanded operations of its state-of-the-art diagnostic centres
beyond Argentina to Mexico, Costa
Rica, Brazil and
Spain. Now, they work with
existing labs to provide high-quality mammograms at low cost,
enabling women to overcome geographical, technological, and
economic barriers to access healthcare. The data-driven, end-to-end
solution has increased breast cancer survival rates, with improved
access to both treatment and medicine.
Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Director of the
Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: "Accessible and affordable
mammograms have the potential to significantly enhance women's
quality of life. Beyond2020 and its partners are glad to play a
part in making Costa Rica more
responsive to the health needs of its citizens, particularly women.
The deployment also builds community awareness on the power of
preventative healthcare to empower individuals, promote early
detection, and ultimately save lives, fostering a healthier and
more resilient society."
Beyond2020 brings together a leading number of partners, which
include Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, BNP Paribas, Mubadala
Energy and Masdar.
As part of Beyond2020's impact to date, a total of 18
deployments have been rolled out, including energy, health, water
and food-related solutions, transforming the lives of over 229,800
people in the following countries: Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda, Jordan, Egypt, Cambodia, Madagascar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, The
Philippines, Rwanda,
Peru, Lebanon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Costa
Rica. India and
Colombia have been identified as
deployment grounds for future initiatives.
About the Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a tribute to the legacy of the
late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Prize aims to
drive sustainable development and humanitarian action by
recognising and rewarding organisations and high schools that are
delivering innovative sustainable solutions across the categories
of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High
Schools.
For 16 years, through its 117 winners, the Prize has positively
impacted the lives of 384 million people around the world.
About Beyond2020
Beyond2020 provides critical, life-changing solutions
beneficiaries worldwide, leveraging technology for good and
fostering inclusive and sustainable development. Beyond2020's
impact to date includes 18 deployments that have transformed the
lives of over 229,800 people in Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda, Jordan, Egypt, Cambodia, Madagascar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, The
Philippines, Rwanda,
Peru, Lebanon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Costa
Rica.
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