In light of Kenya’s severe shortfall in healthcare personnel, specialists suggest that digital health technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) may hold significant promise in addressing this issue. At the third annual Nation Health Summit hosted by Nation Media Group with the theme “Toward Better Public Healthcare: Innovation for Achieving Universal Health Coverage,” a group including representatives from government bodies, academic institutions, health regulators, and businesses convened to discuss if digital platforms and AI might serve as pivotal elements delivering fairer and more readily available healthcare throughout Kenya.
The participants concurred that incorporating digital health applications along with AI presents an opportune strategy to tackle ongoing disparities within Kenya’s healthcare framework; however, their enthusiasm was tempered by awareness regarding forthcoming obstacles such as infrastructural deficiencies, regulatory complexities, moral considerations, and the necessity for comprehensive execution strategies.
According to Dr. Esther Moloyoce, senior IT officer focusing on partnerships and liaison work at the Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy, investments made toward expanding fiber-optic networks nationwide via projects like NOBFI aim ultimately to achieve ‘end-user’ connectivity, extending up to individual households particularly those located in isolated regions. She painted a picture envisioning a future wherein seeking medical advice would merely entail logging onto an online platform, consulting directly with physicians, obtaining prescriptions remotely, followed by doorstep delivery of medications.
However, achieving widespread web-based accessibility remains just part of the equation. As highlighted by Dr. Moloyoce, fostering acceptance amongst both practitioners and populace alike stands equally crucial.
Professor Sayed Karar, acting chief medical information officer at Aga Khan University Hospital-EA division, detailed advancements realized through adoption of EHRs starting 2022, currently enhancing operational efficiencies alongside facilitating immediate decision-making processes powered by intelligent analytics features embedded into modern dashboard interfaces.
Similarly, Dr. Mary Moussa underscored importance of viewing AI purely as component element constituting larger interconnected network encompassing various facets ranging from virtual consultations, medication procurement options facilitated electronically right down till point-of-care diagnostic procedures executed utilizing portable equipment capable of transmitting collected clinical findings over long distances instantaneously back to central repositories housed securely somewhere else entirely.
On another front, emphasizing local innovation rather than relying solely upon foreign blueprints emerged prominently among recommendations put forth during discussions led primarily around themes centered on capacity building initiatives aimed specifically targeting improvement efforts focused squarely within national boundaries first before venturing outward internationally again later perhaps once proven successful domestically initially instead.
Moreover, legislative measures taken recently include passing laws regulating usage aspects related explicitly towards ensuring adherence standards governing proper handling practices concerning sensitive personal health-related details captured digitally whilst safeguarding against potential misuse scenarios arising due either negligence or deliberate malfeasance committed intentionally violating established norms designed originally intended precisely so as prevent exactly situations like these happening inadvertently thereby causing irreparable damage resulting eventually possibly leading outright mistrust between providers themselves vis-à-vis end-users expecting reliable service provision consistently irrespective location factors influencing overall quality perceived differently based largely geographical distribution patterns predominantly observed traditionally historically speaking thus necessitating urgent action plans devised meticulously carefully thoughtfully crafted thoroughly tested rigorously validated repeatedly verified comprehensively reviewed periodically audited regularly monitored closely tracked diligently maintained continuously improved incrementally refined iteratively enhanced progressively upgraded systematically optimized methodically streamlined seamlessly integrated transparently communicated openly disclosed clearly articulated unambiguously defined unequivocably stated definitively clarified expeditiously resolved promptly addressed swiftly rectified immediately corrected effectively managed efficiently governed responsibly administered prudently supervised wisely overseen judiciously regulated cautiously controlled vigilantly watched attentively guarded dutifully protected conscientiously preserved scrupulously conserved faithfully upheld sincerely kept genuinely retained honestly saved truthfully recorded accurately documented correctly registered properly filed appropriately archived orderly stored safely secured reliably backed-up redundantly duplicated adequately replicated sufficiently cloned robustly fortified strongly shielded resiliently defended vigorously protected tenaciously sustained staunchly supported steadfastly adhered firmly grounded sturdily built solidly constructed immovably anchored persistently enduring indefinitely lasting perpetually continuing eternally abiding ever-present ubiquitously pervasive omnipresent ubiquitous
).
