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The 2025 West Africa Artificial Intelligence (AI) healthcare summit and conference ended in Accra last Friday with a call for innovative approach towards addressing healthcare delivery in the subregion.
It was organised by the Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) to discuss issues targeted at helping in the efforts to revolutionalise healthcare delivery across the region using AI.
The platform also provided opportunity for healthcare professionals, policy makers technology innovators, and industry leaders to explore how AI could transform the healthcare landscape, address persistent challenges, and improve service delivery in hospitals and medical centres.
Themed “Promoting regional integration of AI in healthcare to enhance service delivery” it also sought to showcase HCOWAA’s vision for AI in healthcare, foster partnership with international manufacturers and strengthen collaborations with key stakeholders, among others.
In her opening remarks, president of HCOWAA, Jiang Sihong, said West African countries, including Ghana face significant challenges in the healthcare sector, with a critical shortage of professionals and senior healthcare talents being a major concern.
In Ghana for instance, she said each doctor was responsible for a much larger number of patients compared to developed or even developing countries like China, resulting in overburdened healthcare professionals, delayed treatments and inefficiencies in healthcare delivery.
She explained that in developed countries and developing economies like China, the situation was different “and that is why we are here to support Ghana and work together towards mutual development.
Ms Sihong indicated that the integration of AI into health systems presents an unparallelled opportunity to bridge the gaps in the shortage of specialised and senior healthcare professionals, enhance efficiency and deliver specialised care at scale.
According to her, AI healthcare solutions that incorporate advanced medical technologies and big data intelligence were crucial for developing nations in Africa.
These AI medical products, which combine medical technology and experience from developed countries, high-end information integration technology, and big data intelligence advantages, she said were of vital importance to developing African countries.
She stated that HCOWAA serves as a vital platform, connecting hospitals, clinics, medical professionals, and key stakeholders across the healthcare supply chain, all with the goal of promoting the regional and innovative development of the medical and health industry.
“Let us seize this opportunity to lead the way in integrating AI into healthcare, setting a precedent for the rest of the world. Together, we can bridge the gaps, overcome the challenges and create a healthier, more equitable future for all,” she added.
President of the Ghana Association of Chinese Societies, Mr Tang Hong, threw more light on the significance of boosting healthcare delivery in Ghana and beyond, saying AI powered systems could significantly reduce improve accuracy of diagnosis, ensuring early detection of diseases and better patient outcomes.
President of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr Frank Serebour, on his part said it was time for people to be able to leverage AI to access certain health services regardless of their location.
“Let us embrace AI and make good use of it to ensure it benefits all of us,” he stressed.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
