This was one of the critical issues highlighted during a two-day roundtable on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare held in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
The event brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers, and technology experts to explore AI’s role in transforming healthcare delivery in South Africa (SA).
The roundtable, hosted by SAMA, sought to address the unique challenges of integrating AI into the country’s healthcare system while ensuring ethical and responsible implementation.
Dr. Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson of SAMA, described the initiative as a groundbreaking effort to educate healthcare professionals and integrate ethical leadership into AI applications.
“We aim to educate a critical mass of doctors and healthcare professionals about AI’s role in healthcare while ensuring ethical frameworks underpin its use,” said Mzukwa. He emphasised the importance of confidentiality, warning that breaches of patient trust could undermine public confidence in the healthcare system.
A significant focus of the discussions was the delayed implementation of EMR systems in SA's public health sector. According to Dr Mzukwa, while private healthcare systems in the country are globally competitive, the public sector lags significantly behind.
“The introduction of electronic medical records was discussed as far back as 2015, yet nearly a decade later, there is no tangible progress. This disparity between private and public healthcare systems must be addressed urgently,” Mzukwa noted.
The event also featured an address by SA’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande. He praised SAMA for spearheading the initiative and highlighted the need for Africa to develop its own technological solutions.
“As a continent, we remain consumers of foreign technologies instead of creators of our own. This must change. Developing local expertise in AI and other technologies is essential not just for SA but for the entire continent,” said Nzimande.
The Minister outlined a 10-year plan for technological advancement, focusing on building infrastructure to support AI, including enhanced computing power, data storage, connectivity, and real-time processing capabilities in healthcare.
Both Mzukwa and Nzimande stressed the need for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure AI technologies serve humanity responsibly.
“Science can be both a tool for progress and a weapon for destruction. Regulatory oversight is essential to guide its application,” Nzimande warned.
Mzukwa also highlighted the ethical risks of AI misuse, citing concerns over data privacy and the potential for inequitable access to AI-driven healthcare solutions.
The roundtable underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing healthcare innovation. Nzimande acknowledged the role of private sector involvement, including collaborations with global technology companies like Huawei, but urged alignment with national priorities.
“Without collaboration, progress stalls. We need partnerships that prioritise equity and accessibility for all South Africans,” he said.
AI technologies hold the potential to revolutionise healthcare in South Africa by improving diagnostic accuracy, optimising resource allocation, and bridging gaps in underserved areas. However, their success hinges on investments in infrastructure, ethical frameworks, and regulatory oversight.
SAMA’s call for the implementation of EMR systems reflects a broader push for integrating technology into the public healthcare system, ensuring South Africans across all socio-economic strata benefit from innovative healthcare solutions.
--ChannelAfrica--
