Benin enlists Korean-developed AI in nationwide battle against malaria

An artificial intelligence (AI)-powered malaria diagnostic system developed in Korea is moving from individual hospitals into Benin’s national malaria program after winning a public procurement contract from the country’s health ministry. Noul, an AI diagnostic startup that uses digital microscopy to analyze blood samples, said Monday that its miLab MAL platform was selected through a public tender to supply major hospitals treating severe malaria cases, with an initial order of 20 units and plans to expand its use across Benin’s public health system. The platform has been incorporated into Benin’s National Malaria Control Program (PNLP) as a point-of-care diagnostic tool, according to Noul. The company said a clinical evaluation conducted in Benin in 2025 provided key evidence supporting its adoption. The study involved 211 children suspected of having severe malaria at major university hospitals in southern and northern Benin. Compared with manual microscopy, miLab MAL recorded sensitivity of 98.82 percent and specificity of 100 percent, according to Noul. The system also reduced