Dr. donkor emphasized the need to rethink healthcare systems by incorporating ai-powered diagnostics and medical technology enterprises to serve the continent's population. he clarified that ai is intended to support:owered diagnostics and medical technology enterprises to serve the continent's population. He clarified that AI is intended to support, not replace, healthcare professionals, enabling better care with limited resources.
Speaking at the International Conference on AI in Healthcare and Pharma (ICAIH) hosted by the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Dr. Donkor highlighted the potential growth of the AI-enabled healthcare market, projected to rise from US$15 billion in 2023 to nearly US$188 billion by 2030. The conference, themed 'Transforming Healthcare from Expenders to 'Healthpreneurs': Leveraging AI as the Bedrock for Regional Cooperation,' emphasized the integration of AI into healthcare.
Dr. Donkor also noted the West African Development Outlook's (WADO) projection of a 4.8% economic growth for the ECOWAS sub-region by 2025, contrasting with the anticipated unemployment of nearly six million people by the end of 2026. He reiterated AI's role in reshaping healthcare from prevention to public health surveillance.
UHAS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lydia Aziato advocated for collaboration between universities, industry, and development partners to incorporate AI into health education and research. She emphasized UHAS's commitment to producing graduates with AI and digital skills for the evolving health sector.
Prof. Alexander Ansah Manu, from the Institute of Health Research (IHR) at UHAS, described AI as a vital technological advancement for Ghana's healthcare system, urging for its responsible integration to enhance service delivery and health outcomes. He highlighted the importance of maintaining compassion, ethics, and professional judgement in healthcare despite AI's growing influence.
The main theme of the ICAIH conference is 'Accelerating Adoption of Healthcare AI in Ghana: From Vision and Policy to Practice and Impact.' Key partners include WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, and various Ghanaian and international institutions, underscoring the collaborative effort to advance AI in healthcare.