Medical Professionals Push for AI Integration in Healthcare
Medical professionals at Mbarara University of Science and Technology advocate for government leadership in integrating Artificial Intelligence into healthcare, citing its potential to expedite diagnoses and improve patient care.
Medical professionals and researchers affiliated with Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) respectfully urge governmental intervention to spearhead the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the healthcare framework, emphasizing the imperative for funding augmentation and enhanced hospital infrastructure.
They posit that the strategic implementation of AI holds the potential to expedite solutions across various facets of healthcare, including the diagnosis of intricate diseases.
Dr. Simon Arunga, an Ophthalmologist at MUST, illustrates the scenario of diagnosing severe ocular ailments resulting from diabetes and ocular pressure, underscoring the efficiency afforded by AI integration.
“By incorporating artificial intelligence into computing systems, such diagnostic tasks can be swiftly accomplished. Merely capturing an image of the afflicted individual enables the embedded AI to discern the progression of the disease and recommend appropriate interventions,” remarked Dr. Arunga.
He further articulated, “This obviates the necessity for direct physical examination by an eye specialist, as individuals trained in the process can capture patient images, thereafter availing them to AI for analysis. The prospect of leveraging such advanced technology within the African healthcare landscape is profoundly inspiring for us health practitioners.”
The advocacy for AI predominated discussions at the Data Science Research Hub symposium, convened by Mbarara University of Science and Technology at the Las Vegas Hotel in Mbarara City on February 8, 2024.
Artificial Intelligence, encapsulating the emulation of human cognitive abilities within computer systems, holds transformative potential across diverse domains of application. Nonetheless, Dr. Arunga underscored the indispensable prerequisites of robust internet connectivity, uninterrupted power supply, and high-performance computing infrastructure for optimal AI functionality.
“When adeptly leveraged, this technological paradigm possesses the capacity to address multifarious healthcare challenges, encompassing preventive care, ophthalmology, and non-communicable diseases,” emphasized Dr. Arunga.
He further advocated, “Hence, we implore governmental stewardship in delineating robust regulatory frameworks governing AI deployment within the healthcare domain, alongside strategic investments in essential infrastructure and requisite resources, such as high-speed internet connectivity and robust server facilities complemented by stable power supply.”
Dr. Arunga elucidated on ongoing initiatives at MUST, elucidating their pioneering efforts in exploring the utility of AI for diagnostic purposes within the realm of healthcare.
