How Ask Mary & PAT Are Shaping the Future of Primary Healthcare in Africa

Patient Voices, Smarter Care

Ask Mary is a clinical AI triaging assistant designed to work seamlessly as a WhatsApp chatbot, offering accessible and patient-centred healthcare support anytime, anywhere. Its mission is both simple and impactful: to answer health-related questions, share reliable health guidance, identify early signs of illness, and quickly triage patients to the appropriate level of care. This is particularly critical in underserved communities, where access to healthcare professionals is often limited.

What Patients Are Saying

Feedback from users within the Ask Mary WhatsApp community already highlights the platform’s real-world impact. One user described Ask Mary as “very well designed,” noting that interacting with it felt similar to speaking with a medical officer. Others praised its ability to ask relevant follow-up questions, narrow symptoms toward possible conditions, and provide clear, actionable guidance—closely mirroring a clinical consultation.

Several users also emphasized that Ask Mary stands apart from generic AI tools. Being purpose-built for healthcare delivery, it supports consultation booking and helps bridge critical gaps during both emergencies and routine health concerns.

Safety Over Speed

Patient feedback has also highlighted key distinctions in Ask Mary’s approach. While some users observed that responses may not be as fast as other AI platforms, this was often viewed positively. One user noted that Ask Mary is “never in a hurry to prescribe medications” and consistently seeks expert consultation when needed—demonstrating a strong commitment to patient safety over speed.

Clinical Impact and the Role of PAT

From a clinical perspective, it is encouraging that even at this early stage, Ask Mary can safely triage mild, moderate, and severe conditions through structured questioning and appropriate guidance.

This impact is further amplified by the introduction of PAT (Patient Access Terminal)—a groundbreaking solution that enables patients to interact with Ask Mary via text or audio at a physical terminal, while also allowing real-time communication with healthcare professionals. PAT represents a significant advancement in the delivery of primary healthcare across Africa, particularly in areas with limited digital access.

The Road Ahead

To maximize its impact, continued learning, faster response times, enhanced local language models, and broader community sensitization will be essential. With sustained evolution and thoughtful expansion, Ask Mary and PAT are well positioned to become one of the most transformative healthcare innovations on the African continent.