By Derick Ngaira
The Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Dialogue on Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Improve Healthcare Delivery in Africa was held in Nairobi on 11–12 November 2024, and organised by the African Institute for Development policy (AFIDEP) and the African Union for Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), through the Platform for Dialogue and Action on Health Technologies in Africa (Health Tech Platform). At the dialogue, RECs showcased progress, explored opportunities, addressed challenges, and outlined a path forward for realising a transformative vision of quality and affordable healthcare on the continent through innovations in health technologies.
RECs spearheading technological integration in African healthcare system
The East African Community (EAC) is championing telemedicine as a solution to the region's healthcare access disparities across member states. The Digital REACH Initiative Roadmap (2019–2028), provides a comprehensive strategy for integrating digital technologies to transform healthcare systems across the region. By facilitating cross-border collaborations and digital health platforms, the bloc enables remote populations to access specialised medical care, ensuring healthcare services are no longer confined by geography. Rwanda's successful use of drones to deliver medical supplies to remote areas exemplifies the innovative solutions being embraced across the EAC. Moreover, the EAC Regional E-Health and Telemedicine Conference, brings together stakeholders to share insights, innovations, and solutions aimed at improving healthcare delivery in the region.
Similar to the EAC, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), is making use of digital health platforms to enhance access to healthcare services in remote areas. IGAD is also leveraging data analytics and mobile health solutions to improve disease surveillance, particularly in tracking outbreaks like cholera and malaria. These technologies enable faster response times, better resource allocation, and more efficient coordination between member states, helping to strengthen healthcare systems across the Horn of Africa.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is also at the forefront of adopting innovations to enhance healthcare delivery. For instance, during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Corridor Trip Monitoring System (CTMS) was deployed to facilitate continuation of trade across borders. The CTMS facilitated a regulatory framework that ensured that cross-border transit was performed by healthy drivers that were constantly monitored and tracked to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Furthermore, SADC is harnessing the power of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) to detect and treat tuberculosis (TB) more effectively. These advanced systems assist doctors in interpreting medical images with greater accuracy and speed, which is vital for timely and effective disease management. CAD uses cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning, image processing, and computer vision to analyse medical images like chest X-rays. By detecting abnormalities, classifying lesions, and assessing risks, CAD not only enhances diagnostic precision but also supports healthcare providers in delivering better outcomes for patients.
In the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through West African Health Organization (WAHO), artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming disease risk analysis through innovative approaches like vector-based mapping. AI models are being used to analyse environmental data for diseases such as rabies, enabling the prediction of high-risk areas and improving prevention strategies. Building on this success, similar models are being applied to malaria, where climatic data is incorporated to identify vulnerable regions and optimise the allocation of resources. These advancements demonstrate the potential of AI to enhance disease surveillance and strengthen healthcare systems across the region.
Challenges hindering progress
Despite these advances, challenges persist. Infrastructure deficits across member states, funding shortfalls, and a lack of skilled personnel hinder the widespread adoption of these technologies. Additionally, misaligned policies within and across RECs create bottlenecks, limiting the scalability of regional initiatives.
Societal and cultural resistance to some technologies, such as AI and biobanking, also slow their integration into healthcare systems, raising the question of how policymakers, researchers, and healthcare providers can work together to address misconceptions, build trust, and ensure these innovations are culturally sensitive and widely accepted. Public awareness campaigns and capacity-building initiatives are crucial to addressing these barriers and ensuring societal buy in.
Conclusion
RECs are not just participants but trailblazers in the technological revolution reshaping Africa’s healthcare landscape. By uniting policies, mobilising domestic resources, fostering partnerships, and championing homegrown solutions, RECs can turn Africa’s healthcare systems into global benchmarks for resilience and innovation, ensuring that every citizen, no matter their location, reaps the benefits of 21st-century healthcare.