At the recent AI Applications West African Hospital Needs Exchange Meeting, Health Services Administrator Michael Abeku Yankson delivered an insightful keynote that underscored the urgent need for systemic reform across the region’s healthcare delivery systems. His address, which was presented at the event hosted by the Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA), served as a highly informative piece as it centered on integrating artificial intelligence to strengthen hospital support and medical supply systems.
Standing before a room of representatives from Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, Food and Drugs Authority, fellow administrators in healthcare facilities both private and government, stakeholders, and international partners, the Health Services Administrator at MAB Hospitals issued a clear and urgent message: West Africa’s hospital systems are at a tipping point, and artificial intelligence could be the lever that restores balance. Speaking at the AI Applications – West African Hospital Needs Exchange Meeting organized by the Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA), Yankson called for immediate, intelligent intervention to fix critical gaps in hospital infrastructure, supply chains, and resource coordination.
Yankson began his speech by laying bare the stark realities faced by hospitals throughout West Africa. “We operate in environments where inadequate infrastructure, frequent stockouts, and outdated equipment have become the norm—not the exception,” he stated. He painted a vivid picture of overcrowded wards, unreliable power and water supplies, and a critically under-resourced healthcare workforce grappling with brain drain and poor working conditions.
In highlighting these systemic failures, Yankson emphasized that technological innovation—specifically AI—presents a rare and timely opportunity to turn the tide. “AI is not a luxury for developed nations,” he asserted. “In West Africa, it is a necessity for survival. It can revolutionize how we predict demand, manage inventory, and distribute lifesaving commodities.”
Drawing from his experience at MAB Hospitals, Yankson proposed targeted investments in digital health systems such as electronic health records (EHRs), mobile health platforms (mHealth), and real-time data analytics. “Our hospitals need intelligent frameworks to ensure the timely availability and traceability of essential supplies like medicines, reagents, and emergency equipment,” he noted.
The event’s theme “Strengthening Hospital Support and Regional Medical Supply Systems”—echoed the core of Yankson’s message. As the seminar brought together policymakers, AI developers, logistics professionals, and international partners, it became clear that a regional shift toward smart, integrated health systems was no longer aspirational—it was imperative.
Yankson also addressed the role of sustainable financing and stronger governance. “We must move away from fragile donor dependency. Strengthening regulatory systems, supporting local pharmaceutical production, and investing in our workforce are non-negotiables,” he said.
Throughout his address, he called for a collaborative approach: governments, private entities, and civil society must align to build more resilient and responsive health systems. “We’re not just talking about better hospitals—we’re talking about better chances of survival for our people,” he concluded.
As HCOWA’s initiative unfolds, Yankson’s vision and message stand as a rallying cry for a future where no West African hospital is crippled by preventable shortages or inefficiencies. With the right tools and leadership, he believes, the region can build a health system worthy of its people.
The AI Applications – West African Hospital Needs Exchange Meeting served as a vital platform for uniting stakeholders around a shared goal: strengthening hospital support systems and medical supply chains through innovation. As participants explored collaborative models and AI-driven strategies, Michael Abeku Yankson’s speech provided a grounding framework for action. His insights helped shape the seminar’s direction, highlighting the real-world challenges hospitals face and the smart technologies needed to overcome them.
With HCOWA’s continued leadership, this event marked a pivotal step toward building more responsive, well-equipped, and digitally empowered healthcare systems across West Africa.
