Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP), Bayero University Kano, showcased three innovative projects exploring the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to healthcare at the AI in Health Summit 2026, held on 19 and 20 October at the TY Danjuma Foundation Building in Abuja, Nigeria.

ACEPHAP, through the KASSEP initiative, conducted a two day training on the WHO Verbal Autopsy Tool from 15 to 16 October 2026 in Kano to strengthen medical doctors’ capacity to investigate maternal deaths, improve mortality data collection, and support evidence informed health policies. The training covered verbal and social autopsy procedures, data collection, and ethical considerations, including informed consent, confidentiality, and sensitivity when engaging bereaved families. The initiative aims to strengthen maternal mortality surveillance and support efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths in Kano State.

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP) presented the first-year achievements of the Making Caesarean Section Safe in Kano project at a dissemination meeting held on October 9, 2026. Implemented in partnership with the Global Surgery Foundation and the Kano State Ministry of Health, the project recorded an increase in Surgical Safety Checklist adherence from 0% to 78.4% across 3,358 caesarean sections, while surgical site infections declined from 9.2% to 4.8%. The project also strengthened healthcare capacity through training for over 215 health workers, leadership development for 59 professionals, and the provision of essential equipment and supplies to ten participating facilities. Commending the progress, the Kano State Commissioner of Health directed the adoption of the project’s standard operating procedures and training curricula across secondary and tertiary health facilities, while ACEPHAP announced plans to extend the intervention to Jigawa State.