Medvax Health Represents Nigeria at Global AI Health Convening in Rwanda

Medvax Health, a Nigerian health technology firm, has been selected to represent the country at the 2026 Global Artificial Intelligence in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Convening held in Kigali, Rwanda.

The event, which took place from March 24 to 26, was organised by Gender Rights in Tech and brought together about 40 organisations from over 14 countries spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. The convening served as a closed, practitioner-led platform focused on evaluating the real-world application of artificial intelligence in sexual and reproductive health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Medvax Health was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Pharm (Dr.) Chioma Uzoma, who joined a diverse group of technologists, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers working at the intersection of AI and public health. Participants also included organisations affiliated with global institutions such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Over the course of the two-and-a-half-day programme, attendees engaged in plenary sessions, technical workshops, peer reviews, and collaborative discussions. Unlike conventional conferences, the gathering emphasised practical implementation challenges over theoretical innovation, examining key areas such as system design, data utilisation, governance frameworks, and scalability.

A major highlight of the discussions was the complexity of deploying AI tools within existing healthcare systems. Participants identified recurring challenges including misinterpretation of AI-generated outputs, low adoption rates, and the difficulty of integrating digital platforms with physical healthcare services. As one participant noted, “building AI solutions is only one part of the equation; successful integration into existing health systems remains a major hurdle.”

The use of AI-powered chatbots in sexual and reproductive health also featured prominently. While widely adopted for health education and triage, stakeholders stressed that their effectiveness is largely dependent on strong linkages with healthcare providers, referral systems, and access to essential medications. The consensus was that standalone digital tools often deliver limited impact without deeper system integration.

Beyond chatbots, the convening explored a broader range of AI applications, including clinical decision-support systems, predictive analytics, and workflow optimisation technologies. Sessions on safety and governance underscored the importance of embedding ethical safeguards into AI systems, particularly in sensitive areas such as reproductive health, while ensuring adequate human oversight.

Participants further identified structural barriers hindering progress, including the high cost of AI development and maintenance, shortage of skilled professionals, reliance on foreign infrastructure, regulatory uncertainties, and data privacy concerns. These challenges, stakeholders noted, underscore the need for stronger local innovation ecosystems.

For Nigeria, the outcomes of the convening carry significant implications. The country continues to grapple with pressing sexual and reproductive health issues, including high maternal mortality rates and limited access to contraception and accurate health information. While AI presents a promising avenue to address these gaps, investment in AI-driven healthcare solutions remains relatively low.

Stakeholders at the forum called for increased funding for local health technology startups, clearer regulatory policies, investment in capacity building, and stronger integration of digital innovations into primary healthcare systems. They also highlighted the critical role of public-private partnerships in scaling sustainable solutions.

Medvax Health’s participation at the global convening underscores the rising influence of Nigerian innovators in the international health technology space. With the right mix of investment, policy support, and collaboration, experts believe Nigeria is well-positioned to play a more prominent role in shaping the future of AI-driven healthcare.