By Abiodun Azi
Medical experts say Nigeria’s healthcare sector is on the verge of a revolution, thanks to the increasing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medical training and practice.
According to the experts, AI is set to transform the training of medical professionals and the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
They spoke at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) College of Medicine (CMUL) 8th Felix Oladejo Dosekun (FOD) memorial lecture.
The lecture was on the theme “Medicine Curriculum and Artificial Intelligence: The Meeting Point and Path to Follow.”
Dr Emi Membere-Otaji said that AI was already significantly impacting medical education and practice.
Membere-Otaji is the Deputy National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
He noted that integrating AI into medical training and practice was set to become more precise and expensive and will soon become the norm.
“The intersection between the medical curriculum and artificial intelligence is now clearly evident in the training of medical and dental professionals and in the practice of medicine.
“Rather than the exception, man and machine, working together in collaboration, to enhance medical training and practice for greater efficiency and improved outcomes,” he said.
According to him, adopting AI in Nigeria’s healthcare sector is expected to improve healthcare outcomes, reduce costs, and increase access to healthcare services.
He explained that AI could help medical professionals diagnose diseases more accurately and quickly, develop personalised treatment plans, and improve patient care.
Prof Ademola Oremosu, the Provost of UNILAG’s College of Medicine, welcomes the use of AI in medical education and practice.
“We live in an age where we cannot ignore AI and human knowledge is being transferred to machines.
“This becomes important in the medical curriculum and practice, where machines are used to get things done faster, process information that would take humans hours to get done faster,” he said.
The lecture, attended by medical professionals, academics, and industry experts, highlighted the importance of AI in medical education and practice.
It also emphasised the need for Nigerian medical schools to incorporate AI into their curricula, and for medical professionals to develop the skills and knowledge needed to work effectively with AI systems.
As Nigeria’s healthcare sector continues to evolve, experts said adopting AI was expected to improve healthcare outcomes and increase access to healthcare services.
With its potential to transform medical education and practice, AI is set to revolutionise Nigeria’s healthcare sector, and improve the lives of millions of Nigerians.
Prof Folasade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, was represented at the lecture by Prof Ayodele Asenuwa.
Dr Chris Okafor, Associate Professor of Physiotherapy and Chairman of the publicity Committee of the FOD Memorial Lecture said that the event was historic and symbolic.
