Addressing the Shortage of Trained Medical Professionals and Improving Maternal Health Outcomes
One of the sectors that the GSMA report did not highlight but for which artificial intelligence (AI) applications could be game-changing is healthcare.
The African continent faces a significant shortage of trained medical professionals. In many African countries, the number of doctors per capita is alarmingly low, with some countries having fewer than one doctor per 10,000 people. This is in sharp contrast to the United States, where there are approximately 26 doctors per 10,000 people. The disparity is further exacerbated by limited access to medical education and training facilities in Africa, as well as the migration of skilled healthcare workers to more developed countries in search of better opportunities and working conditions. As a result, the healthcare systems in many African nations are understaffed and overwhelmed, struggling to meet the basic health needs of their populations.
The lack of trained medical professionals in Africa leads to several negative effects, including higher mortality rates, particularly from preventable and treatable conditions such as malaria, tuberculosis, and maternal health issues. A recent article in the Guardian newspaper entitled “I am happy to see how my baby is bouncing: the AI transforming pregnancy scans in Africa” looks at Intelligent Ultrasound’s AI-based software that produces accurate dating of pregnancies without the need for specialist sonographers. The software has been trained on a database of millions of images to “recognise” a pregnancy’s gestation.
Traditionally, ultrasound scans, which provide crucial information about the health and development of unborn babies, are a luxury in many low- and middle-income countries. The AI-powered technology being tested allows these scans to be performed without the need for specialist sonographers, significantly improving access to prenatal care for women in rural and underserved areas.
This innovation is particularly important as it not only offers expectant mothers the emotional joy of seeing their unborn babies but also encourages them to seek medical services earlier in their pregnancies. Early medical intervention can help reduce the risks of stillbirths and other complications. By making ultrasound technology more accessible, the project aims to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes in regions where traditional medical resources are limited.
The article also discusses how AI is being used in the largest ever study of aspirin to prevent pre-eclampsia. The study, which is taking place in Kenya, Ghana and South Africa, will compare the effects of two different drug doses among women at high risk of developing the condition. An accurate gestational age is vital to the trial. Pre-eclampsia risk changes as pregnancy progresses, and aspirin’s prophylactic effect depends on it being given early.
These are just two examples of how AI can improve the delivery of healthcare in general and maternal healthcare in particular, leveraging the power of AI to offset the limited capacity of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural settings.
