The Africa HealthTech Summit opened in Kigali, Rwanda. There was a call for healthcare professionals and innovators to harness technology. The aim is to build resilience and strengthen healthcare systems across African communities to explore the role of technologies in healthcare
This third annual summit, held from Oct. 29 to 31, brought together ministers of health and ICT. It also included leading tech innovators and healthcare professionals from across the continent. They gathered under the theme “Innovating for Community Health: Unleashing the Power of AI.” Attendees will explore how innovations like artificial intelligence, the internet of things, robotics, drones, and blockchain can address Africa’s most urgent healthcare challenges.
In his opening remarks, Rwanda’s Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana urged participants to embrace digital health technologies. These technologies can enhance safety across the continent. They also improve disease detection continent-wide. He highlighted Rwanda’s proactive adoption of health tech. He cited the country’s electronic medical record system. The health intelligence center leverages AI to support sustainable, tech-enabled healthcare solutions.
Cyril Seck is the Digital Strategy Advisor at the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). He emphasised the role of technologies in healthcare. These solutions bolster early disease detection and rapid response. Both are essential for a resilient African healthcare system. Africa CDC, he added, remains dedicated to strengthening public health institutions through strategic partnerships and innovation.
Health Information Systems Program South Africa CEO, Sean Broomhead, discussed AI’s potential to enhance patient care. He emphasised its role in addressing diagnostic gaps across Africa. “Strategic decisions are crucial to ensure AI’s positive impact, always prioritising patient needs,” he said. He also stressed the importance of robust data and training for healthcare workers in the successful adoption of AI-driven solutions.
Participants across the summit agreed that cross-sector partnerships are essential to building robust, real-time responsive healthcare systems across the continent.