A high-level gathering of leading African medical scientists and healthcare experts took place recently. They urged African governments to harness emerging technologies. This is to transform healthcare delivery across the continent. The two-day event was organised by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP). It collaborated with the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for African Development (AUDA-NEPAD). It brought together representatives from all African economic regions. They discussed strategies for prioritising health research. They also focused on integrating digital advancements into national health systems.
The discussions highlighted Rwanda’s successful use of drones for delivering essential medications to rural communities. Participants suggested this model could be adopted by other nations to overcome geographical barriers. “Rwanda’s example showcases how drones can bridge access gaps for remote populations,” said Dr. Julius Simon Otim. He is a Senior Health Officer at the East African Community Secretariat. He emphasized the potential for other African countries to benefit from similar approaches.
The participants included representatives from various regional economic bodies. These bodies included the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Their collective goal was to identify how regional alliances can help each member state leverage advancements. These advancements include Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). The aim is to strengthen health infrastructure.
Hylde-Mbuta Lukovi Seke is the Programme Officer for Science, Technology, and Innovation at AUDA-NEPAD. She emphasized the importance of collaboration to advance health tech across the continent. “By working together, we can enhance our health systems through the intelligent use of emerging technologies,” said Seke.
The meeting also delved into the role of blockchain for secure data management in healthcare. It explored AI’s potential to enhance diagnostics. AI can also improve treatment personalization and resource allocation. Dr. William Wasswa is the Head of Biomedical Sciences at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. He provided examples of African-led innovations in AI and IoMT. These innovations are already making strides in expanding healthcare access to vulnerable communities.
This event highlighted the urgent need for political support and investment. These elements are crucial to create a conducive policy environment for technology-driven healthcare solutions. Dr. Kazeem Abubakar, Assistant Director at Nigeria’s National Center for Technology Management, reinforced this call. He advocated for ongoing high-level dialogues. These dialogues are necessary to ensure Africa is positioned to leverage cutting-edge health technologies. Such technologies can address the continent’s unique healthcare needs.