A Digital Leap Towards a Healthier Future in Africa
As May draws closer, anticipation builds in Marrakech for World Future Health Africa. This event promises to shape the future of health in Africa, and it is no surprise that it is centered around artificial intelligence (AI). AI has gained global attention in recent years because of its impressive performance. Africa has made strides towards adopting AI, notably in 2023 when the Global Initiative on AI for Health (GI-AI4H) was inaugurated. The GI-AI4H aims to establish robust governance frameworks, encourage collaborative endeavors and pooled resources, and foster the development and promotion of sustainable AI implementation models at the national level. Also, Microsoft’s philanthropic venture, AI for Health, lends support to nonprofits and researchers tackling global health issues, providing them with access to AI resources.
Credit: Luke Chesser
Africa's healthcare systems face a multitude of challenges. From geographical disparities and infrastructure limitations to a shortage of healthcare providers and inadequate preventive care, achieving the "quadruple aim" of improved population health, patient experience, caregiver experience, and cost reduction seems like a distant dream. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for solutions that bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers.
AI holds immense promise in addressing these challenges, from reducing missed appointments and data reporting gaps to alleviating hospital overcrowding. Its potential is particularly potent when integrated into existing solutions and implemented with a deep understanding of the local context. The possibilities for AI in African healthcare systems are vast, with paperless data management and streamlined workflow processes standing out as particularly valuable. By eliminating the need for patients and healthcare providers to spend time printing additional copies, AI-assisted electronic systems can significantly enhance the accuracy of follow-up appointments, treatment efficacy, and side effects. These solutions are especially needed in sub-Saharan Africa, where the illiteracy rate is 32.8%. All disease conditions would benefit from these solutions, particularly chronic diseases, where patients often forget their treatment regimens and are lost to follow-up. AI can overcome this challenge by reminding patients to take their medications or attend scheduled appointments, especially if the AI is integrated into social media communication platforms (e.g., WhatsApp).
The chronic shortage of healthcare providers disproportionately limits access in rural areas and low-income urban populations. The combination of AI and telemedicine can help address these challenges. Telemedicine already provides decentralized services, such as toll-free calls to hospitals that can be used for follow-up of chronic conditions, non-emergency case consultations, and sexual and reproductive health. For instance, telemedicine can be used to report cases of sexual abuse, access post-exposure prophylaxis, and provide contraceptive education. In the surgical field, where half of the patients are lost to follow-up, AI-driven telemedicine can help reduce this gap and improve postoperative follow-up.
The World Future Health Africa Sourcing and Investment Event will be held from 29-31 May 2024 | Source: www.worldfuturehealth.com
The potential of AI extends beyond medical consultations. Imagine AI-powered apps that promote self-care, guide healthy living habits, and empower individuals to take charge of their health. Promoting preventative care and providing accurate health information is crucial in the context of limited access to healthcare professionals. AI can be a powerful tool for combating misinformation and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
As AI revolutionizes African healthcare, health professions and engineering education must adapt. Schools must equip future health professionals with the knowledge to leverage AI effectively, understand its limitations, and interpret its outputs. On the other hand, engineering curricula should incorporate medical knowledge so engineers can design AI tools that address real-world healthcare challenges. Collaboration is critical - schools can foster this by encouraging cross-disciplinary research projects. Imagine medical students working alongside engineering students to develop AI-powered diagnostic tools or telemedicine platforms. These projects would be defended as a thesis at medical and engineering schools. Africa must adapt and this collaborative approach bridges the knowledge gap, ensuring AI in healthcare is innovative and clinically relevant.
The convergence of African healthcare visionaries, policymakers, investors, and innovators at the World Future Health Africa is an opportunity and a call to action that Africa cannot afford to miss. The path to embracing AI in African healthcare won't be without its challenges, but the potential benefits are too significant to ignore. By seizing this opportunity and actively exploring AI solutions, African nations can revolutionize healthcare delivery, empower citizens, and build a healthier future for 1.5 billion people. The future of healthcare in Africa is not just promising but inspiring.
