AI’s Revolutionary Impact on Healthcare in Nigeria

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in core business operations has emerged as a game-changer in today’s dynamic world, optimizing business operations across multiple industries. AI has had a significant impact on industries like healthcare, radically altering how services are provided, accessed, and optimized. In terms of market size and growth potential, the global AI in the healthcare market has rapidly increased over the last decade, from about USD600 million in 2014, to over USD16bn in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.2 percent to reach a staggering $150 billion by 2026¹. In Nigeria, the AI in Healthcare market Nigeria is expected to grow at a CAGR of 46.22 percent from $0.01 billion in 2022 to $0.13 billion by 2030. The market growth will be driven by the expanding availability of AI-based solutions and the increasing investment in the advancement of AI in healthcare by both public and private entities.

During HSDF’s flagship Knowledge Café series themed “Leveraging AI for Improved Operational Performance and Business Growth” held in December 2023, we explored some examples of AI application in the field of health and social services, one of which is spotlighted below:

Medical Diagnosis and Personalized Medicine: AI-enabled healthcare solutions are accelerating medical diagnosis and enabling individualized treatment regimens. For instance, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital has created an AI-powered system for diagnosing breast cancer. The system analyses mammograms using machine learning algorithms to detect early signs of breast cancer. Furthermore, Wellvis, a Nigerian startup, created another AI-powered telemedicine platform. The platform allows patients to consult with healthcare providers remotely, increasing access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas with inadequate healthcare infrastructure. The increasing availability of AI-based solutions, as well as increased government and private sector investment in the advancement of artificial intelligence in healthcare, are projected to propel AI adoption in Nigeria in the coming years¹.

The Relevance of Chat GPT and Similar AI Applications: In this AI-driven revolution, conversational AI, like Chat GPT, is a pertinent and significant invention. Because of their superior natural language processing capabilities, these systems enable human-like interactions and customised support. In the medical field, Chat GPT helps by answering questions on general health, pharmaceutical information, and symptom information. It also serves as a first point of contact for patients who need assistance. Furthermore, Chat GPT’s scalability and adaptability makes it a powerful tool, particularly when it comes to handling the spike in requests from clients and/or patients seeking medical, therapeutic or pharmaceutical information or assistance.

The application of AI technologies will continue to transform the healthcare landscape across Africa. The provision of individualised, effective, and easily accessible AI solutions not only boosts operational effectiveness but also considerably raises the quality of healthcare provided to people and communities.

Thoughts to Ponder: The Ethical Quandary of AI in Healthcare