Healthcare providers advocate AI strategy to transform medical diagnosis

The President of the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAOG), Dr Kwame Buabeng-Frimpong, has called for the development of a comprehensive national AI strategy to revolutionise medical diagnosis and treatment in the country. 

He highlighted how artificial intelligence has already begun transforming healthcare delivery, particularly in diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions.

Speaking at a seminar on AI diagnosis and treatment organised by the Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA), he said advancing artificial intelligence in healthcare required a comprehensive framework that integrates technology innovation with ethical considerations.

The seminar was held on the theme “Advancing Al Diagnosis and Treatment: Building a Framework for Healthcare Transformation”.

Dr Buabeng-Frimpong said a robust national AI strategy would align vision, goals and objectives for AI adoption across the healthcare sector, ensuring coordinated implementation and maximum benefit to patients nationwide.

This strategy would work alongside strengthened data protection laws to safeguard patient information, while enabling the technological advances necessary for improved care.

To successfully implement a national AI strategy, the president called for substantial infrastructure development, including robust digital health systems, electronic health records, telemedicine platforms and reliable internet connectivity for all health facilities to support AI-powered healthcare.

GHS embraces AI

Also speaking at the seminar, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, highlighted an ambitious vision for integrating artificial intelligence into the nation's healthcare system.

The initiative marks Ghana's determination to position itself at the forefront of AI-driven healthcare transformation in Africa, with plans already underway to establish dedicated AI departments across medical facilities.

He highlighted three transformative projects that have been set in motion, including an AI department for medical assistance, big data utilisation for national disease control and an AI-driven medical supply chain to optimise inventory management.

Professor Akoriyea said the Ghana Health Service was taking a measured approach to this technological revolution, recognising both the immense benefits and potential risks associated with AI integration. 

Advancing healthcare

The Deputy President of HCOWA, Prince Opoku Dogbey, for his part, said the organisation sought to advance healthcare in West Africa, with a focus on pushing AI diagnosis.

He said HCOWA was collaborating with the government and other private institutions to establish three key components in pushing AI diagnosis.

The three components are the establishment of AI departments in hospitals, the establishment of a national disease control system using big data and an AI supply chain system to ensure the timely shipments of medical supplies.