Blog

We are thrilled to share a remarkable milestone that demonstrates the far-reaching impact of strategic grant funding in healthcare innovation. Our early investment in Penda Health's Clinical Decision Support System has directly contributed to what is now being recognized as the largest-ever study of clinical AI in real-world practice.

The Foundation We Helped Build

When we first provided grant funding to Penda Health for their pioneering work into AI-powered Clinical Decision Support Systems, we were exthusiastic to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence to improve healthcare outcomes in underserved communities. Our early support was instrumental in helping Penda develop and refine their innovative approach to clinical decision support, laying the groundwork for what would become a globally significant breakthrough.

A World-First Achievement

The results speak for themselves. Penda Health, in partnership with OpenAI, has now completed a comprehensive study of 40,000 patient visits, making it the largest-ever study of clinical AI in actual practice. This groundbreaking research, published as a peer-reviewed study and available on our website Penda Health, represents a direct evolution from the foundational work our grant funding helped support.

Transforming Patient Care Through AI

The study's findings are nothing short of remarkable:

Significant Error Reduction

The AI-powered clinical decision support tool achieved substantial reductions in medical errors: 16% fewer diagnostic errors and 13% fewer treatment errors across the study period. These aren't just statistics – they represent real improvements in patient safety and care quality.

Massive Scale Impact

In absolute terms, the study showed that introducing AI Consult would prevent diagnostic errors in 22,000 visits and treatment errors in 29,000 visits annually at Penda alone. The implications for scaling this technology globally are profound.

Clinician Empowerment

Perhaps most importantly, all surveyed clinicians reported that the AI tool improved the quality of care they delivered, with 75% saying the effect was "substantial". Rather than replacing human expertise, the system enhanced clinical decision-making while preserving physician autonomy.

The Journey from Grant to Global Recognition

Our grant funding was crucial in enabling Penda Health to:

• Develop Initial Prototypes: Supporting the early conceptual work and technical development of AI-powered clinical decision support
• Conduct Safety Audits: Ensuring the technology met rigorous safety standards before broader deployment
• Refine User Interface: Iterating on the system to seamlessly integrate into clinical workflows
• Build Local Capacity: Training teams and establishing the infrastructure necessary for successful implementation

A Model for Healthcare Innovation

The study, conducted across 15 clinics in Nairobi with 106 clinicians and spanning nearly 40,000 patient visits, used rigorous methodology comparing outcomes between clinicians with and without access to the AI system. This represents the kind of evidence-based approach to healthcare innovation that our grant funding was designed to support.

Global Implications

The success of this AI clinical copilot in Kenya's healthcare system demonstrates how technology can dramatically reduce medical errors and improve patient safety, particularly in resource-constrained settings where the need for clinical decision support is greatest.

The study's publication and recognition by major outlets including TIME Magazine and coverage across international medical journals underscores the global significance of this work – work that began with our early grant funding.

Looking Forward

This achievement exemplifies the multiplier effect of strategic grant funding in healthcare innovation. Our initial investment in Penda Health's Clinical Decision Support System has not only improved care for thousands of patients but has also contributed to the global body of knowledge about AI in healthcare.

The study provides "a practical framework for advancing responsible adoption" of AI in real-world health systems, potentially influencing healthcare delivery across continents.

Our Commitment Continues

The success of Penda Health's groundbreaking study reinforces our commitment to supporting innovative healthcare solutions that have the potential for transformative impact. By identifying and funding promising early-stage work, we can help turn visionary ideas into world-changing realities.

As we celebrate this remarkable achievement – from our initial grant to global recognition – we're reminded of the profound difference that strategic, early-stage funding can make in advancing healthcare for all.

This milestone represents more than just a successful research study; it demonstrates how targeted grant funding can catalyze innovations that improve healthcare outcomes on a global scale. We're proud to have played a role in supporting the foundational work that made this breakthrough possible.

Enterprise for Development (EfD) is excited to welcome Chanzi to its portfolio of high impact, sustainable and scalable enterprises across sub-Saharan Africa, supporting them to scale their black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) production and expand Okota, their waste management facility in Arusha, Tz. 

In supporting Chanzi’s second seed round fundraise through a convertible debt note, EfD are providing the capex for Chanzi to develop Okota to full capacity, providing the continuous supply of waste they need to be able to expand BSFL production.  The BSFL provides a low cost, high-quality sustainable protein additive in livestock and fish feed, as well as indigenous low-cost organic fertilizer for increased productivity and improved soil structure, both especially valuable for small holder farmers.  Okota creates wider social impact by providing low-income families who previously scavenged on municipal waste dumps, with employment, consistent fair wages, and safer working conditions.

EfD, alongside co-investors are providing pre-Series A investment capital to enable Chanzi to confirm the venture can scale profitably as a prelude to a Series A fundraise planned for next year.  For more info you can find a link to Chanzi in our Agriculture section.

Download the Penda Leap Forward Presentation.

Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 requires the creation of large carbon sinks as well as large reductions in carbon emissions. Growing trees is currently one of the most important ways to create carbon sinks at scale. This is already recognised by the UK government as demonstrated by e.g. the creation of the Woodland Carbon Guarantee and the proposed Nature for Climate Fund. While valuable pathfinders, these initiatives are tiny compared to the huge scale of the problem. According to the Climate Change Committee the UK will need to plant about 75-100 million trees on space equivalent to 30,000 to 50,000 football pitches every year to capture the carbon needed to meet the UK target!