The Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA) Association is hosting a pivotal seminar on Friday, 21st February 2025, at the HCOWA West Africa Headquarters, Labadi Trade Fair. The seminar, running from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, will focus on AI in healthcare, specifically looking at its potential in diagnosis and treatment deployment. The event will gather key stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, AI developers, and industry leaders, with the goal of exploring how AI can revolutionize healthcare delivery in both public and private sectors across West Africa.
Keynote Speakers and Presentations
The seminar will feature insightful presentations from experts in various fields, each addressing critical aspects of AI integration in healthcare. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) will kick off the discussions by evaluating the demand for AI in public health facilities. They will explore how AI can enhance healthcare delivery, improving diagnostic accuracy and streamlining operations in Ghana’s public health systems. Their presentation will focus on strategies for AI integration to foster efficiency and reduce operational costs.
The Private Health Facilities Association will provide an in-depth exploration of AI’s growing role in the private sector. They will discuss how AI technologies can improve patient care, optimize healthcare delivery, and address challenges specific to private healthcare institutions. This session will outline how AI can enhance operational efficiency while ensuring that the integration aligns with the needs of private health facilities.
The Federation of African Medical Equipment will lead a session on AI-driven systems for managing medical consumables. They will highlight how AI can transform inventory management, streamline procurement, and reduce waste, ultimately improving the overall healthcare delivery system.
A key session will focus on epidemic control and disease prevention, with the Ghana Centre for Disease Control showcasing how AI can be leveraged for enhanced disease monitoring and response. This will include discussions on predictive modeling and real-time data analysis to strengthen Ghana’s preparedness for public health crises.
International Perspectives on AI in Healthcare
The seminar will also feature presentations from healthcare experts in other West African countries, including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Togo. These nations will share their experiences with AI applications in healthcare, particularly in improving disease control, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and advancing healthcare delivery in underserved areas.
Additionally, Chinese medical institutions will share their success stories on how AI has transformed healthcare in China. These case studies will provide valuable insights for African countries looking to implement AI technologies in their own healthcare systems.
Through expert-led discussions, the seminar aims to spark collaboration, innovation, and a deeper understanding of how AI can be harnessed to address healthcare challenges in West Africa, paving the way for a more efficient and accessible healthcare future across the region.
