NTL HEALTHCARE Proposes Cervical Cancer AI Cooperation in South Africa
NTL HEALTHCARE has proposed cooperation with South African healthcare partners on its AI-powered cervical cancer screening system, CerviCARE AI. The company presented the technology at the 2026 Korea-South Africa Future Dialogue in Pretoria and called for local validation and hospital pilots.
- NTL HEALTHCARE presented CerviCARE AI at the 2026 Korea-South Africa Future Dialogue.
- The on-device system works offline and analyzes images in approximately five seconds.
- A 2024 Scientific Reports study reported 98% sensitivity for high-grade lesions.
- The company proposed local validation, hospital pilots and regulatory discussions in South Africa.
- CerviCARE AI is supplied in more than 20 countries, according to NTL HEALTHCARE.
AI screening presented at Korea-South Africa dialogue
NTL HEALTHCARE presented its cervical screening solution during a session focused on "AI for Public Health: Advancing Korea-South Africa Cooperation through Healthcare Innovation." The 2026 Korea-South Africa Future Dialogue was co-hosted by the Korean Embassy and Korea-Africa Foundation in Pretoria on Nov. 5, 2026.
The event examined how artificial intelligence could address public health priorities. Sang-Uk Yoon, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Korean Embassy, highlighted the countries' complementary strengths and expressed hope that cooperation would improve public health across Africa.
Other speakers discussed AI diagnostics, automated documentation, tuberculosis and lung disease screening, digital literacy, youth skills and joint training. A WHO programme manager emphasized responsible AI that supports human judgment, equity and universal health coverage.
CerviCARE AI works offline on a device
NTL HEALTHCARE Executive Vice President Dr. Jake Byun presented "AI Cervical Cancer Precision Diagnostics for South Africa." The company said its cervical screening expertise dates to 1996 and covers more than eight million cases.
According to NTL HEALTHCARE, CerviCARE AI runs on-device, works offline and analyzes images in approximately five seconds. A 2024 study published in Scientific Reports reported 98% sensitivity for high-grade lesions.
Byun said the system could support assessment, referral, treatment and follow-up after positive HPV results. The company stressed that CerviCARE AI would not replace HPV testing or clinical judgment.
Company seeks local evidence and regulatory discussions
NTL HEALTHCARE proposed local clinical validation, hospital pilots and discussions with South African authorities about regulatory and commercialization pathways. The approach would allow healthcare professionals and local institutions to help assess how the system fits South Africa's priorities.
"Building local evidence with healthcare professionals is essential for sustainable adoption," Byun said, according to the company. "We will work with partners on a model suited to South Africa's priorities."
The proposal aligns with wider calls at the dialogue to connect Korea's medical AI and regulatory expertise with South African public health data and needs. South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation also proposed advancing outcomes through the Korea-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission.
What the proposal means for potential users
The announcement does not establish a commercial launch or regulatory approval for CerviCARE AI in South Africa. Instead, it sets out a cooperation path centered on evidence gathering, pilot projects and discussions with authorities.
NTL HEALTHCARE said it supplies CerviCARE AI in more than 20 countries. African universities, hospitals and healthcare companies interested in cooperation can contact the company at [email protected]. The company also said it plans to expand its Latin American healthcare and distribution network following commercialization in Paraguay, entering markets in phases according to local regulations and needs.
