Medics to leverage on AI to address growing health challenges

Physicians across the country have allayed fears that the use of Artificial Intelligence may lead to job losses or unsupervised attention of patients which may lead to wrong diagnosis.

Instead, the physicians said, AI should be used to enhance accuracy in diagnosis, clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes and health system efficiency, and strengthen medical education and training for future physicians.

Kenya Association of Physicians president Erick Njenga said with health challenges growing increasingly complex and interconnected, AI can be used to support data-driven policy formulation and healthcare planning so as to have the best response to the challenges.

This comes as Kenya grapples with the increasing incidence of stroke, which is now increasingly affecting younger people under 60 years.

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either due to a blockage or bleeding.

This lack of blood flow can lead to brain cell death and serious complications.

Stroke can be fatal and need immediate treatment.

There are three types of stroke including ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke and transient ischaemic stroke.

Ischaemic stroke is where a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain leading to loss of blood flow.

Haemorrhagic stroke is where an intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) occurs by rupture of a blood vessel in the brain leading to bleeding.

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a short periods of symptoms similar to those of a stroke, caused by a brief blockage of blood flow to the brain. It usually lasts only a few minutes and does not cause long-term damage.

According to World Health Organization statistics, stroke incidence is rising globally, with 11.9 million new cases and a 50 per cent increase in lifetime risk recorded over the last 20 years.

“Notably, cases are increasing in adults under 55-60 years due to lifestyle factors, including rising obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and stress. This trend tens to overwhelm healthcare systems,” a World Health Organization report said.

Njenga said the next generation of physicians must be able handle these growing healthcare challenges like the rising stroke incidence.

“That is why there is an urgent need to harness emerging technologies and collaborative partnerships to transform healthcare delivery across Africa,” Njenga said.

He spoke ahead of the 29th Annual Scientific Conference which is set to be held in Mombasa from March 25-28.

“Collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based practice must remain at the center of progress. This year’s conference theme ‘Cutting Edge Innovations in the AI Era to Equip the Next Generation of Physicians’ could not be more timely or urgent,” Njenga said.

The four-day scientific gathering is expected to bring together physicians, healthcare leaders, researchers, policymakers, innovators, and medical trainees from across Kenya and the continent for robust discussions on the future of medicine in the AI era.

And with increasing technologies, physicians can now collaborate more without having to travel across thousands of kilometers.

“As physicians and healthcare leaders from across the continent, we are uniquely positioned to build the partnerships that will shape the future of medicine in Africa,” the KAP president said.

“Together, we can strengthen systems, enhance training, and ensure that no community is left behind.”

Njenga said the conference is more than a professional gathering as it will serve as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, strategic networking, and cross-border collaboration.

“This conference is a space to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and spark innovations that respond to Africa’s unique health needs,” he said adding that both seasoned practitioners and emerging professionals will benefit from each other.

The KAP president called on governments in Africa to invest more in health system strengthening and digital transformation so as to catalyze practical solutions and sustainable partnerships that advance equitable, high-quality healthcare.