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How artificial intelligence can transform healthcare in Africa

In Africa, technology and AI are emerging as a powerful tool to address the continent's health challenges.

Technology is reshaping the world of medicine, upgrading the healthcare sector and making services more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered. Among the most discussed innovations is artificial intelligence, also protagonist of a possible revolution in the medical field. However, it is imperative to ensure that the benefits of these innovations reach every corner of the planet, especially in Africa and low-income countries.

 

 

Meanwhile, watch the video below where we welcome the latest 3 Ugandan girls who underwent surgery in Italy.

The role of AI in African innovation

In recent years, there has been a boom in the use of AI to solve healthcare problems on the African continent. This ranges from data management in Morocco to genome reading in South Africa, from medical image analysis in Ghana to COVID-19 monitoring in Ethiopia.

 

For example, in Mozambique, healthcare workers have experimented with the use of portable X-ray machines connected to an artificial intelligence program to diagnose tuberculosis in less than five minutes, with an accuracy comparable to that of doctors.

 

 

 

 

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) announced $2.4 million in funding to promote the equitable use of AI to improve the health and lives of Africans. This investment aims to support African researchers and innovators, empowering them to drive change with local and sustainable solutions.

 

Innovation also offers a solution to the shortage of doctors and qualified healthcare personnel in Africa. Many countries on the continent see their health professionals emigrate to wealthier nations. “One of the biggest advantages of AI in Africa is helping healthcare workers do more with limited resources,” said Ayomide Owoyemi, a public health and technology expert at the University of Illinois, USA, in an interview.

 

“AI can support less-skilled healthcare workers providing health care from

fundamental, essential to address the ongoing loss of doctors.”

Pobic technologies in Africa

Our organization also leverages technology to improve community health in Africa. Pobic is committed to providing essential healthcare services and uses innovative tools to address local challenges. The community-based approach is crucial to ensuring that health solutions are sustainable and respond to specific needs of local populations. 

 

Through the project Ozone Therapy We use new machinery for the treatment of Buruli ulcer or other tropical sores and ulcers, avoiding the practice of “surgical curettage,” in addition to our commitment to reducing complications caused by scar contractures and functional impairment in patients.

 

With the program Open Heart we identify in Africa and in the countries of Eastern Europe, children suffering from severe heart conditions who require targeted heart surgery.

Investments and challenges for artificial intelligence in Africa

Limited infrastructure represents a significant challenge for the implementation of AI-based healthcare programs in Africa. Many areas of the continent lack reliable electricity or internet access necessary to support large-scale AI projects. Furthermore, most machine learning algorithms are trained on datasets external to Africa, limiting their effectiveness in the local context. Fortunately, there are ongoing programs at African universities and private companies that are collecting local health data to train models specific to the region. 

 

“In the future, healthcare will be increasingly digital and AI in Africa will be a fundamental tool to move in this direction,” 

 

explained Rebecca Distler of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.

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  • I am a freelance journalist with a passion for technology who has worked in the field of corporate communication for years. I wanted to contribute to POBIC to support the NGO's valuable commitment to social solidarity.

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