Facing Forward: Data, Sisterhood, and My Time at RAWAS 2026
Hanifatu Napari Mumuni
January 13, 2026
Introduction
Last week, from the 12th to the 16th of January 2026, I had the privilege of attending the Retreat for African Women in Mathematical Sciences (RAWAS) 2026 at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, AIMS Ghana. This experience reaffirmed why we build health technology the way we do at Mary Global Health: grounded in real data, shaped by real communities, and driven by a deep belief in equitable access to care.
I attended RAWAS as Chief of Research at Mary Global Health. I arrived ready to speak about applied statistics and deployed AI systems. I left with something equally powerful: renewed motivation, meaningful connections, and a profound sense of responsibility to keep pushing forward.
The Science: When Data Meets Real Lives
On January 13, I presented my research titled “What Do the Data Really Say? Applied Statistical Insights from a Deployed Health AI.”
The presentation focused on MaryAI, our suite of AI-powered health assistants that power our Patient Access Terminals (PATs) and digital health platforms, designed specifically for low-resource and underserved communities.
In digital health, many systems are designed around the idea of an “average user”. But the truth is simple: the average user does not exist.
Instead, I shared insights drawn from real deployment data, not lab simulations.
One of the most revealing findings was about engagement behaviour: 85.9% of user sessions were multi-turn conversations.
This shows that users are not treating MaryAI like a one-off question box. They are asking follow-up questions, seeking clarification, and engaging in ongoing dialogue. In other words, they are treating the system as a trusted health companion, not just a digital tool.
Many attendees described the presentation as “short, but very efficient.” Translating complex statistical findings into insights that are both rigorous and accessible is a responsibility I take seriously, especially when the work directly impacts healthcare delivery.
The Q&A: Accessibility, Expansion, and Sustainability
The discussion became even more exciting during the Q&A session, where participants asked thoughtful and forward-looking questions about how Mary Global Health operates in real communities.
On Accessibility
PATs include physical keyboards, voice-based interaction, and visual guidance to support users with different abilities.
On Multimedia
Videos and visual explanations significantly improve patient understanding, especially where literacy levels vary.
On Expanding Across Africa
Expansion is guided by local partnerships, regulatory alignment, and context-aware design. Sustainable healthcare solutions must be built with communities, not just deployed in them.
On Insurance Integration
We are actively exploring how to integrate health insurance and national health systems into our platforms to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Sisterhood: Learning from Those Who Paved the Way
Listening to senior African women mathematicians share their journeys was deeply moving. Their resilience created the opportunities that many of us benefit from today.
RAWAS also introduced me to brilliant peers navigating through their professional lives. The solidarity and mutual encouragement were powerful reminders that none of us walks this path alone.
Facing Forward
During our visit to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, I was reminded of his words:
“We face neither east nor west; we face forward.”
Progress does not wait for perfect conditions. Whether in research, innovation, or leadership, we must keep building and moving forward.
A Message to Young Women in STEM
You belong in science. You belong in technology. You belong in leadership.
Your background, gender, or location should never define the limits of your ambition. Spaces like RAWAS exist because the world needs your voice, your ideas, and your brilliance.
Moving Forward Together
RAWAS 2026 reminded me that impact is built through collaboration, mentorship, rigorous science, and deep respect for the communities we serve.
As I return to my work at Mary Global Health, I do so with renewed clarity and commitment not just to innovate but to ensure that innovation remains inclusive, ethical, and community-driven.
We face forward, together.
