EPCON at the 3rd Conference on Innovations in Tuberculosis 2026

Earlier this month, we attended the 3rd Conference on Innovations in Tuberculosis 2026 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, alongside researchers, clinicians, programme implementers, policymakers, and partners from across Africa and beyond.

The conference highlighted ongoing innovations in TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, digital health, case finding, and programme implementation, while creating important opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing across the region.

As part of the conference, we presented a poster on AI-Driven Subnational TB and HIV Risk Modelling to Support Precision Program Implementation in South Africa. The work focuses on the development of an AI-enabled spatial modelling platform that integrates laboratory, retrospective programme, demographic, and contextual data to support more targeted public health interventions.

Within the current South African project context, spatial modelling and geospatial analysis were used to generate testing-rate-adjusted TB risk estimates and contextual vulnerability insights at Health Sub-District level. These outputs are visualised through an interactive geoportal and layered digital maps that support programme planning, prioritisation, and resource allocation.

More broadly, the project aims to support integrated TB and HIV public health planning through flexible modelling and geospatial tools that can be adapted to different programme settings and data environments, with the longer-term goal of supporting more precise community-level targeting and active case finding interventions.

The conference also provided valuable opportunities to engage with stakeholders working across different health system contexts and to contribute to ongoing discussions around data-driven and precision public health approaches in Africa.

EPCON remains committed to supporting innovative, evidence-driven approaches that strengthen public health decision-making across the continent.