The African Union has prioritised various emerging technologies with potential to improve health on the continent including: “omic” technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics); e-health solutions; artificial intelligence; use of drones; geospatial modelling; and additive manufacturing.
The African Union has prioritised various emerging technologies with potential to improve health on the continent including: “omic” technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics); e-health solutions; artificial intelligence; use of drones; geospatial modelling; additive manufacturing, among others.
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA/NEPAD) is spearheading efforts in implementing this mandate. The Agency uses a four-pronged approach:
Inclusion of African researchers, policy makers, communities and other stakeholders in the development of such technologies, are issues that should be addressed if Africa is to fully benefit from these technologies.
Artificial intelligence: This technology is projected to improve health services, diagnostics and personalized medicine in Africa by eliminating inefficiencies such as misdiagnosis, shortage of health workers, wait and recovery time.
Synthetic biology: This technology is used to develop novel drugs and vaccines, and genetically engineered organisms / viruses to fight diseases. Synthetic biology can be developed in organisms with reverse genetic tools and methodologies, such as genetic transformation, selection markers, specific plasmid vectors, different promoters, and optimally the existence of advanced molecular biology techniques such as zinc-finger nucleases.
Digitization, Telemedicine and Electronic Health Records: This technology helps to: reduce inefficiencies in healthcare delivery; improve access to healthcare; reduce healthcare costs; make health services more person-centred; increase quality of healthcare; and personalize medicine for each patient’s unique needs.
Drones: Drones are used for delivering life-saving medical supplies, vector control as well as to survey dangerous locations. Additionally, drones identify those in need of vaccines, gather and analyze data in real time, expand the supply chain and improve demand.
Data Science / Data Analytics: Data Science is used to track child immunisation in border regions and developing a digital certificate for Covid-19.
Monoclonal antibodies: Monoclonal antibodies are routinely used in several fields and mainly used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases, such as breast cancer, leukemia, asthma, macular degeneration, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and transplants, among others.
Genome editing: This technique allows researchers to insert, delete or modify DNA to silence, activate or otherwise modify an organism’s specific genetic characteristic. The technology can be used for the treatment of livestock diseases and cancer.
AU recommendation
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Email: info@afidep.org
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