✔ Experts divided, task govt on investment
✔ Al, others can reduce human error by 99% – Doctors
✔ No, it’s no substitute for human expertise – Consultants
✔ It’s a welcome development – FG
LEADERSHIP
The migration of Nigerians to foreign countries for better life opportunities is putting pressure on the country’s medical system.
Known as Japa syndrome, the phenomenon has pushed medical manpower below the United Nations (UN) standard and overstretching available professionals.
Consequently, medical experts are now integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ease their job. With AI adaptation beginning to gain ground, experts acknowledge its potential to revolutionise healthcare systems globally.
Countries like India and Turkey serve as models of AI-driven transformation.
While AI has the potential to revolutionise diagnostics, surgeries, and treatment outcomes, it is widely acknowledged that its acceptance in Nigeria remains a subject of ongoing debate as medical experts deliberate its benefits and challenges.
In diagnostics and surgeries, an Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Prof Mike Ogirima, highlighted AI’s remarkable role in diagnostics, mainly through machine learning and natural language processing.
“For those who are versatile, AI is a welcome development,” Ogirima stated.
He, however, expressed concern about AI replacing human expertise, especially in surgical practice.
“While AI enhances precision in musculoskeletal surgeries, it cannot entirely substitute human judgement and skills,” he explained, emphasising that ongoing AI research deserves support to advance Nigerian medicine.
Corroborating this, an Obstetrics and Gynaecology expert, Prof Oladapo Ladipo, described AI as a technological revolution that “has come to stay. “From robotic surgeries to epidemic management, AI can operate effectively in high-risk environments with limited human capabilities.
“Robots will eventually perform tasks traditionally handled by healthcare workers,” Ladipo predicted. He also pointed to futuristic possibilities such as artificial wombs and genetic customisation, illustrating AI’s far-reaching impact on medicine.
READ THE FULL STORY IN LEADERSHIP
Connect with us on our socials: