LAGOS/Nigeria: In a compelling discourse aimed at revolutionizing healthcare across Africa, speakers at the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) fired up a passionate dialogue on leveraging technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive vaccine uptake in the region.
Held during the NSSF fire chat webinar themed “Innovating for Healthcare in Africa: Using AI and Tech to Drive Vaccine Uptake,” distinguished voices from diverse backgrounds illuminated the urgent need for technological advancements to catalyze vaccination efforts.
Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSSF, underscored the imperative of extending the benefits of AI innovations to all corners of the globe, particularly Africa. Emphasizing the critical role of vaccination in public health, she lamented Africa’s lagging vaccination rates, attributing it in part to the continent’s low vaccine production capacity.
“Innovations such as AI hold immense potential to address the challenges in vaccine production and uptake within Africa,” Chinye-Nwoko remarked.
Cyril Seck, Strategy Advisor at the Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC), advocated for a patient-centric approach in digitizing healthcare across the continent. He highlighted the Africa CDC’s commitment to bolstering workforce development and innovation within member states, stressing the need for coordinated digital solutions to enhance health systems and outcomes.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, shared insights into combating vaccine hesitancy within the state. He addressed the detrimental role of misinformation, particularly amplified through social media, and outlined proactive measures undertaken by the ministry to counteract falsehoods and enhance public trust in vaccines.
Dr. Lawal Bakare, CEO of Epid Alert, shed light on the organization’s utilization of adaptable technologies, including offline systems guided by GPS, to optimize healthcare delivery.
Ana Fernandes del Rio, Principal Data Scientist at Causal Foundry, emphasized the importance of data-centric digital solutions tailored for end-users, advocating for regular information dissemination to foster informed decision-making.
Dr. Chioma Nwakanma Akanno, Founder of Medically Speaking Services/Executive Director of SMILE WITH ME Foundation, stressed the pivotal role of data in crafting targeted strategies to improve health outcomes and combat vaccine hesitancy. She underscored the necessity of strategic messaging, informed by robust research and stakeholder engagement, to bolster vaccine uptake.
“Strategic content dissemination is paramount in addressing vaccine hesitancy and increasing uptake,” Akanno asserted, emphasizing the indispensable role of data-driven insights in shaping effective healthcare interventions.
The webinar garnered significant attendance, with participants concurring on the transformative potential of technology and AI in augmenting vaccine uptake across Africa. As the continent navigates the complexities of healthcare delivery, the resounding call for innovative solutions underscores a collective commitment to advancing public health through technological advancement.
