Kenya is among the countries set to receive a new 3D breast ultrasound scanner by US medical technology company iSono Health.

This is after a distribution partnership between the company and UAE firm Abdul Latif Jameel Health to transform breast care using automated imaging and artificial intelligence (AI).

The partnership, announced on Monday at the Arab Health 2023 exhibition, will see Abdul Latif Jameel Health become the exclusive distributor of iSono Health’s ATUSA scanner in an initial 31 countries covering the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

African markets including Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria, will be among the first recipients, in addition to South Asia covering India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, and Southeast Asian territories of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Brunei.

The scanner boasts of a first-of-its-kind, compact automated whole breast ultrasound system featuring a unique wearable accessory and intuitive, intelligent software for automated image acquisition and analysis.

It captures 3D images through automated scanning of the whole breast in just two minutes, independent of operator expertise.

The device connects to laptop or tablet for real-time image acquisition and 3D visualization; the data is transferred to a secure cloud for storage.

According to iSono Health, the ATUSA system is designed from ground up to seamlessly integrate with machine learning models that will give physicians a comprehensive set of tools for decision making and patient management.

“We have been able to develop a scanner which takes two minutes to scan and makes breast imaging painless and convenient. We’re very much looking forward to bringing this technology to the region and making a lasting, sustainable impact,” Dr Maryam Ziaei, the founder and CEO of iSono Health, said.

Abdul Latif Jameel Health CEO Akram Bouchenaki termed the ATUSA scanner “one of the most innovative pieces of technology I have witnessed in my career.”

“I know it will very soon become one of the most valuable products used by physicians and for healthcare systems. This is an important moment for those in medical imaging but more importantly for women’s health across the Global South.”

According to the World Health Organization breast cancer is the world’s most prevalent cancer; one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.