Impact and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence Integration in the African Health Sector: A Review

Artificial intelligence has proven to be a game-changing force in health sectors throughout Africa offering prospects for significant development. In sub-Saharan Africa, using AI in healthcare, especially in areas with limited resources, holds valuable promise in transforming and improving healthcare. This article takes an excellent look at how AI is being integrated into the African health sector, as well as examining policy frameworks, challenges and future possibilities. This article begins by giving an overview of AI and highlighting the groundbreaking impact of AI technologies in combating and addressing healthcare challenges that occur within African countries. Ranges from mobile-based diagnostics to precision medicine, artificial intelligence has proven its potential and capabilities in diagnosing, treating and improving healthcare operations by providing solutions to resource constraints and accessibility challenges. However, despite these advancements, there are still obstacles such as infrastructure limitations, concerns about data privacy and gaps in healthcare professionals’ training that hinder the realization of AI’s potential in African healthcare. This article envisions a future where the adoption of artificial intelligence is fully incorporated with community health initiatives and enhanced access to healthcare services for the betterment of healthcare across sub-Saharan African countries. While challenges and barriers like infrastructure and unequal access to healthcare persist, there is a need for governments and stakeholders to prioritize intelligence and digital health as catalysts for improving the healthcare sector in sub-Saharan Africa.