Vantage Health Technologies, an international health technology provider, and Nigeria’s Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) are collaborating to enhance Nigeria’s health system using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This partnership aims to leverage AI and in-depth local expertise in health advocacy to establish robust governance and health systems throughout the country’s public health sector.
The goal is to enable public health systems in Nigeria to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
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Partnership to introduce new efficiencies in Nigeria’s healthcare
Mr Paul Bhuhi, the Managing Director of Vantage Health Technologies, stated that the partnership would introduce new efficiencies into Nigeria’s public health system, addressing challenges in health service delivery, workforce empowerment, patient retention, data interoperability, health information management, and data-driven leadership.
Nigeria’s health system is overwhelmed and resource-limited, leading to subpar health outcomes. The country faces significant challenges, including a high prevalence of HIV, TB, and Malaria.
Nigeria ranks fourth globally in terms of HIV burden, accounting for 35 percent of cases in East and West Africa. It is also the sixth-largest contributor to TB cases worldwide, comprising 4 percent of the total.
Furthermore, Nigeria bears the highest burden of malaria globally, with approximately 51 million cases annually, representing around 30 percent of Africa’s total malaria burden.
To tackle these issues, the collaboration between NHED and Vantage is essential in providing vital support to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system, its managers, and the workforce, given the available resources.
Vantage’s AI-powered solutions specifically aid health organizations in achieving cost and operational efficiencies, enhancing organizational performance, and delivering better health outcomes. These solutions utilize “next best action” workflows to empower healthcare workers at all levels with extensive experience in treating and caring for HIV, TB, malaria, and related diseases.
NHED specializes in delivering impactful public health advocacy, governance, and primary health system interventions across the continent. Within Nigeria, NHED has successfully implemented interventions related to nutrition and primary healthcare programs.
It will provide AI-driven, technological solutions, better health outcomes
Dr. Emmanuel Sokpo, the Managing Director of NHED, emphasized that the partnership’s combined experience, local knowledge, and relationships with the Nigerian government will enable them to provide impactful technical assistance and AI-driven, technology-enabled solutions. These solutions bring about organizational change, improved performance, and better health outcomes for programs, populations, and individuals.
A round table event titled “Technology-enabled Health Systems Strengthening” will be co-hosted by the partnership on July 20th in Abuja. This event aims to bring together high-level government officials, donors, and private sector health stakeholders to discuss the role of technology in strengthening health systems.
How AI can improve Nigerian healthcare services
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly improve the Nigerian healthcare system, from disease diagnosis and prediction to drug discovery and development.
AI can analyze vast amounts of medical data, including patient records, laboratory results, and medical imaging scans, to assist in the diagnosis of diseases. Machine learning algorithms can learn patterns and identify early warning signs, helping healthcare professionals make accurate and timely diagnoses. This can lead to earlier interventions and better outcomes for patients.
In Nigeria, a large country with many remote and underserved areas, AI-powered telemedicine platforms can connect patients in remote locations with healthcare providers, allowing them to receive timely medical advice and care. Remote patient monitoring using AI can track vital signs, symptoms, and medication adherence, enabling healthcare professionals to monitor patients’ health remotely and intervene when necessary.
AI can accelerate the drug discovery process by analyzing large datasets and identifying potential drug candidates. Machine learning algorithms can analyze molecular structures, predict drug-target interactions, and expedite the screening of compounds. This can lead to faster development of new treatments and therapies for various diseases prevalent in Nigeria.
AI can also streamline and improve the management of health records and data. Natural language processing techniques can extract relevant information from unstructured medical records, making it easier for healthcare professionals to access and analyze patient data. AI can also help in detecting errors and inconsistencies in medical records, ensuring data accuracy and enhancing decision-making.
AI can assist in optimizing the allocation of healthcare resources, such as hospital beds, medical equipment, and personnel. Predictive analytics can forecast patient volumes, enabling hospitals to allocate resources efficiently and reduce wait times. AI-powered scheduling systems can optimize patient appointments, reducing overcrowding and improving patient flow.
AI can also aid in early detection and monitoring of disease outbreaks. By analyzing data from various sources, including social media, news reports, and healthcare databases, AI algorithms can identify patterns and potential outbreaks. This information can be used for proactive public health interventions, resource allocation, and timely response to mitigate the spread of diseases.
AI can help develop personalized treatment plans tailored to individual patients. By analyzing patient data, including genetic information, medical history, and lifestyle factors, AI algorithms can identify optimal treatment strategies. This approach can enhance treatment outcomes, reduce adverse effects, and improve patient satisfaction.