AI technology playing role in healthcare

By Robert Mutasi

In this Digital era, Artificial Intelligence [AI] is making multiple changes in the health sector. 

AI is simplifying healthcare tasks in hospitals and entire industries by complementing services of health professionals. 

It is in the forefront of ensuring people’s lives and making the work of healthcare systems easier. 

Health sector is using AI to detect diseases from humans and animals, ills  that cannot be seen by our naked eyes cannot see.

AI is already with us,and is being integrated in healthcare systems globally.  

AI diagnostic tools like medical imaging, wound management, pathology, predictive analytics andAidoc are among tools used to analyze diseases and other health issues. 

In addition, some models of AI are used to detect and recognize various types of cancer diseases such as breast cancer using mammograms compared to radiologists. 

Such an example of AIin mammograms shows how AI can save many lives of cancer patients due to early diagnosis. 

Kenya has not been lagging behind in this race of AI revolution in the healthcare sector to do diagnostics.

Illara Health is a healthtech in Kenya that has AI diagnostic tools that are affordable. Illara has an  ability of analyzing big data  at the speed that is high in diseases like  malaria and tuberculosis. 

For sure AI is saving time in healthcare centers thus saving lives of millions of people. Virtual health assistants that use machines such as Daktari.ai that is based in Nairobi offer big support.

Doctors use it to treat and diagnose patients who are in remote areas that are unable to access health centers easily.

Moreso, Kenya has managed to acquire AI devices such as Apple Watch and Fitbit  and mHealth solutions. 

These devices help people to track their health status at the right time and seek treatment in real time.

Irregular heart rhythms, levels of glucose and health issues such as strokes are on halt due to the emergency of advanced sensors and AI algorithms that are good in detecting them.

People who have chronic conditions like diabetes have got this heath AI companion because their pains are relieved.  

Other startups such asAfya Rekod are embracing AI technology in development of private health records that enable users to manage their health conditions and observe security using data.

However, AI in the healthcare sector poses some ethical challenges despite being more useful. 

The Data Protection Act of 2019 protects people’s private information, but it is not an easy task for health professionals to comply with this when using AI systems.