NTL HEALTHCARE Proposes AI Cervical Cancer Screening Cooperation at Korea-South Africa Future Dialogue

PRETORIA, South Africa, Nov. 5, 2026 — NTL HEALTHCARE presented its AI-powered cervical screening solution and proposed healthcare cooperation at the 2026 Korea-South Africa Future Dialogue in Pretoria.

Co-hosted by the Korean Embassy and Korea-Africa Foundation, the Dialogue focused on "AI for Public Health: Advancing Korea-South Africa Cooperation through Healthcare Innovation," exploring AI's potential to address public health priorities.

Sang-Uk Yoon, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Korean Embassy, highlighted the countries' complementary strengths and hoped cooperation would improve public health across Africa.

WHO Representative to South Africa Shenaaz El-Halabi addressed AI in global health. A WHO programme manager emphasized responsible AI supporting human judgment, equity and universal health coverage, and connecting Korea's medical AI and regulatory expertise with South African tuberculosis and HIV data.

David Malcomson, Acting Deputy Director-General for Asia and the Middle East at South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, proposed collaboration on public health AI, digital literacy, youth skills and joint training, with outcomes advanced through the Korea-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission.

Speakers Barry Kistnasamy, Hyunchul Kim, Zodwa Dlamini, Thulo Molefi, Chanhyung Lee and Andries Vorster discussed public health priorities, AI diagnostics, automated documentation, and tuberculosis and lung disease screening.

NTL HEALTHCARE Executive Vice President Dr. Jake Byun presented "AI Cervical Cancer Precision Diagnostics for South Africa," introducing CerviCARE AI and the company's cervical screening expertise dating to 1996 and encompassing more than eight million cases. Its on-device AI operates offline and analyzes images in approximately five seconds. A 2024 Scientific Reports study reported 98% sensitivity for high-grade lesions.

Byun explained that CerviCARE AI could support assessment, referral, treatment and follow-up after positive HPV results without replacing HPV testing or clinical judgment. NTL proposed local clinical validation, hospital pilots and discussions with South African authorities on regulatory and commercialization pathways.

"Building local evidence with healthcare professionals is essential for sustainable adoption," Byun said. "We will work with partners on a model suited to South Africa's priorities." He thanked the Korea-Africa Foundation for fostering bilateral public health dialogue and reaffirmed NTL's commitment to practical solutions.

NTL HEALTHCARE supplies CerviCARE AI in more than 20 countries. Following commercialization in Paraguay, it plans to expand its Latin American healthcare and distribution network, entering markets in phases according to local regulations and needs. African universities, hospitals and healthcare companies interested in cooperation may contact [email protected].