共創テーマ名
Improving access to continuous care services for patients at risk of chronic
kidney disease (CKD) in El Salvador through digital transformation (DX)
対象国・地域
Central America, El Salvador.
課題
El Salvador faces a critical gap in the early detection and diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), driven by structural limitations within the primary‑care system and severe shortages of specialized personnel. Most initial patient encounters are conducted in first‑level health units (municipal-level clinic), where general medical doctors often lack diagnosis tools (which make impossible to obtain specific laboratory results), as well as training, continuous health checkups, and decision‑support needed to identify early‑stage of CKD. As a result, the majority of diagnoses (86%) are made only after significant and irreversible kidney damage has developed. Obviously, it increases the need for specialized interventions and creates additional strain on secondary‑level hospitals (Department level hospitals)—many of which rely on a single nephrologist with limited availability.
This diagnostic lack leads to cascading challenges: preventable disease progression, greater financial and operational pressure on the health system, and increased dependency on high‑cost treatments that could be avoided with timely intervention. Young, low‑income agricultural workers are disproportionately affected because environmental and occupational risks — such as heat stress, chronic dehydration, and exposure to agrochemicals— are major contributors to the high burden of CKD in the country. These families face long waiting times, limited access to specialized care, and as a consequence of late detection, often suffer a loss of income, reduced productivity, a deteriorating quality of life, and a severe case may even die.
To address this urgent need, the health system requires an innovative approach that strengthens early detection and diagnostic capacity at the primary‑care level.
実証検証のイメージ
An AI (Artificial Intelligence) enabled CKD detection and diagnostic platform that supports proper medical decision making, through automated risk assessment, pattern recognition, and clinical decision guidance is expected to be offered. By improving diagnostic accuracy and enabling timely interventions, the scalable and evidence-based solution strengthens referral pathways and helps optimize the limited nephrology workforce. The POC seeks to bring this innovative technology into primary care, demonstrating a scalable and sustainable model that can enhance efficiency and modernize kidney health services in El Salvador.
AI‑enabled CKD detection through a mobile‑friendly tool in eastern El Salvador offers an innovative approach aligned with global advances. Drawing on Japan’s leadership in AI systems that predict CKD progression and dialysis timing using large‑scale clinical data, this initiative creates a pathway for future international collaboration. By applying this expertise where it is most needed, El Salvador can reduce preventable CKD progression, enhance patient outcomes, and expand equitable access to timely kidney health services.
This POC must include a structured validation process with the target population and medical doctor users in the easter region of the country. As a first step, assess and confirm participants’ baseline knowledge. Then evaluate the platform’s usability, acceptability, and real‑world performance with users. This approach offers a scalable and impactful pathway to transform early CKD detection into primary care.
期待する実績・専門性
Potential partners should demonstrate strong technical, clinical, and organizational capabilities to support an AI‑enabled early CKD detection initiative. Desired characteristics include experience in digital application development, use of AI or machine‑learning tools, and secure management of health data. Partners should also have prior knowledge of CKD, NCD prevention, and primary care workflows, as well as the ability to translate clinical needs into practical digital solutions. Additional strengths include community‑level implementation skills, research and evaluation experience, adaptability to diverse contexts, and a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and ethical data practices across the project lifecycle. The potential partner can further strengthen the POC by contributing technical, community‑level, and academic capabilities essential for scalable, high‑impact early CKD detection in El Salvador and the SICA region (Central American Integration organism).
*Any alternative approach is acceptable if it resolves the identified issues.
JICAからご提供できること
We can provide nationally relevant information related to CKD, as well as facilitate engagement with both public and private institutions. Additionally, a local study in Spanish about CKD situation in La Union Department in El Salvador also can be offered to the successful applicant.
リバースピッチ予定
愛知・東京
