Proto’s M2 mobile ‘holographic’ display unit is being used for breast cancer education in Ghana, with the aim of improving the 44% mortality rate due to late-stage disease.
Following its debut at the June Global Health Catalyst Summit at Harvard University, Geminai, a proto partner, was invited to pilot the technology in Ghana, working with Ghanaian breast cancer surgeon, founder and CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai.
The Geminai team created a ‘hologram’ in their Massachusetts studio ahead of the trip, showing Dr. Wiafe Addai talking about the importance of early breast cancer detection, breast self-exam instruction, and cultural myths and misperceptions with versions in English and Twi that Addai recorded separately.
Multi-language translation capabilities are included, with work underway to add different dialects as needed. Geminai travelled from the USA to Ghana to gather more content, assessing how the ‘hologram’ technology can be effective for breast cancer education, meeting with breast cancer survivors, and representatives from partner organisations.
Geminai also created six holograms of breast cancer survivors that will be among the breast cancer education content displayed on the ‘holographic’ display technology during the pilot.
The M2 units from Proto can be brought to hospitals, clinics and remote areas for breast cancer education as well as allow Dr. Wiafe Addai and other healthcare professionals to participate in patient consultations without the need to travel.
Conversational avatars can also be used for frequently asked questions related to breast health and use for breast self-exam instruction.