Our Work: AI / CDS
WAIN Trial
(West Africa AI for Neurosciences)
Across much of West Africa, neurosurgeons and critical care teams care for patients with limited resources and little margin for error. Even small delays in recognizing complications or making treatment decisions can have life-changing consequences. While AI has the potential to support clinicians in these settings, there is little evidence showing how it can be implemented safely, responsibly, and effectively in real-world patient care.
The Challenge
The West Africa AI for Neurosciences (WAIN) Consortium is a first-of-its-kind, multi-country clinical study designed to answer that question. Building on promising pilot work in The Gambia, Synapse Foundation is partnering with hospitals across West Africa to evaluate how AI can support neurosurgical teams during postoperative and critical care. Rather than replacing clinical judgment, the AI serves as a decision-support tool, helping clinicians identify potential complications, synthesize complex patient information, and make more informed decisions at the bedside.
Our Approach
Beyond evaluating whether the technology works, the WAIN Consortium will measure whether it improves patient outcomes, reduces preventable errors, enhances the clinician experience, and provides a cost-effective model that can be sustainably scaled. Our goal is not simply to introduce AI into healthcare, but to generate the evidence needed to guide responsible adoption across low-resource health systems worldwide.
Why It Matters
6 Hospitals in 5 Countries
The WAIN trial includes
While we aim to have results out by early Spring 2027, our site-by-site updates are listed here.
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This is our central site, and home of our central database and PACTR registration. This site is beginning its AI roll-out in Sept. 2026.
Led by Mabel Banson, Kwadwo Darko, the full research team includes Reginald Ritcher, Selasie Fiakpui, Emmanuel Osei Adjei, Simon Sackitey, Maame Duodua, Joseph Awindaogo, Omane Okrah, Bernice Limann, and Samuel Horney-Brew
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This was the site of our 2025 pilot. This site is beginning its AI roll-out in Sept. 2026.
Led by John Jabang, Jay Touray, the full research team includes Mariama Drammeh, Lawrence Mendy, Saikou Ceesay, Aminata Cham
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This site is beginning its AI roll-out in Oct. 2026.
Led by Ignatius Esene, Nathan Kengo, the full research team includes Sybile Tatsadjieu, Arnold Djaowe, Stepha Mekam, and Abende Olivier
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This site is beginning its AI roll-out in French in Nov. 2026.
Led by Maguette Mbaye, Issiaga Bah, the full research team includes Richard Djigo, Mehsen Salman, and Coumba Gueye.
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This site is beginning its AI roll-out in Oct. 2026.
Led by Olakunle Adegboye and Timothy Oyegbami, the full research team includes Stanley Nnara, Godwin Nwankwor, Ayodeji John, Akinola Bolu.
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This site is beginning its AI roll-out in Nov. 2026.
Led by Oluwamayowa Opara, Dede Collins, the full research team includes Omah Obinna, Destiny Emeka, Amarachi Justina
Our team piloted GPT-4.0 in the neurosurgery ward in The Gambia with excellent results on 9 patients. However, our implementation failed long-term, motivating the WAIN Trial above.
Study - PMID 41697048