Accra: The AI-enabled healthcare market is projected to expand significantly from US$15 Billion in 2023 to approximately US$188 Billion by 2030, according to Dr George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Donkor made this announcement during his keynote address at the International Conference on AI in Healthcare and Pharma (ICAIH). He emphasized the necessity of reimagining healthcare systems to integrate AI-powered diagnostics, research, and medical technology manufacturing. This integration aims to serve the broader population on the African continent and facilitate the growth of health enterprises.
The ongoing three-day conference, hosted by the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), revolves around the theme, 'Transforming Healthcare from Expenders to 'Healthpreneurs': Leveraging AI as the Bedrock for Regional Cooperation.' Dr Donkor also highlighted that despite a projected growth rate of 4.8 percent for the ECOWAS sub-region by 2025, productivity levels remain modest, with nearly six million people expected to face unemployment by the end of 2026. He pointed out the persistent challenges faced by health systems, including rising demand, chronic diseases, and shortages of skilled professionals.
Further addressing the conference, Dr Donkor mentioned the World Health Organisation's (WHO) estimate of a global shortage of approximately 11 million health workers by 2030, with Africa facing significant challenges. He expressed confidence that AI is a crucial tool for extending the reach of healthcare professionals, enabling improved care with limited resources.
Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, stressed the importance of collaboration between universities, industry, and development partners to integrate AI into health education and delivery. She affirmed UHAS's commitment to producing graduates equipped with AI and digital skills to meet the evolving demands of the global health sector.
Prof. Alexander Ansah Manu, lead organiser of the conference and a Lecturer at the Institute of Health Research (IHR) at UHAS, described AI as an essential technological advancement that should be responsibly incorporated into Ghana's healthcare system to enhance service delivery and health outcomes. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the human aspects of compassion, ethics, and professional judgment in healthcare, even as AI technology advances.
The ICAIH conference, themed 'Accelerating Adoption of Healthcare AI in Ghana: From Vision and Policy to Practice and Impact,' includes key partners such as the WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, Health Facilities Regulator Agency (HEFRA), FDA, UGBS, UG, KATH, MOH, adb, Microsoft, Melcom, AU, EBID, and Africa CDC.