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By Chinenye Anuforo
Healthcare and technology leaders have dismissed growing concerns that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could replace medical professionals, insisting instead that emerging systems are designed to support not supplant doctors across Africa’s evolving health sector.
Speaking at a webinar organised by Newmark Group themed “AI in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges,” experts said AI is increasingly being deployed to improve clinical decision-making, reduce administrative burdens and strengthen public health systems.
Co-Founder of RX Health Info System, Daniel Marfo, said skepticism initially greeted the introduction of AI tools in medical settings, given healthcare’s reliance on structured training, protocols and professional judgment.
“Healthcare is built on years of experience and rigorous standards, so the hesitation was understandable,” he said. “But what we are seeing today is that AI is sharpening clinical focus, not replacing it.”
According to him, AI tools are now embedded in Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) in several hospitals, where they assist clinicians by analysing patient histories, suggesting possible diagnoses and identifying patterns that may otherwise be overlooked during busy consultations.
“It does not make decisions. It supports the decision-maker,” Marfo stated.
He noted that the technology is particularly useful in high-pressure environments where doctors contend with heavy patient loads and limited time.
Experts at the session highlighted medical imaging as one of AI’s most impactful applications. AI-powered systems can analyse X-rays, CT scans and MRIs rapidly, flagging abnormalities that require further medical review.
In many African countries where radiologists are scarce, they said, such systems can help reduce waiting times and speed up treatment decisions by offering preliminary insights for clinicians.
Beyond diagnostics, AI is also being used to ease administrative pressures. Automated transcription tools and intelligent claims-processing systems are reducing paperwork and improving efficiency within hospitals and health insurance operations.
Founder of Aduru Analytics/PharmaD, Dr. Afriye Bempah, said AI’s broader value lies in strengthening system resilience.
“AI-driven surveillance systems are being developed to detect disease outbreaks earlier by analysing health data trends,” he said. “When raw data is converted into actionable insights quickly, policymakers and healthcare professionals can respond faster and more effectively.”
However, the speakers cautioned that the integration of AI into healthcare must be guided by strong ethical standards.
“In healthcare, mistakes affect lives,” Bempah said, stressing the need to prioritise patient privacy and responsible data use.
Concerns were also raised about algorithmic bias, particularly as many AI models are trained on datasets that may underrepresent African populations.
Chief Executive Officer of Newmark Group, Gilbert Manirakiza, urged healthcare communicators and institutions to ensure transparency in how patient data is processed and protected.
“If patient data is being used in AI systems that are not properly governed or accountable, that becomes an ethical problem,” he said, describing ethical AI communication as “critical and urgent.”
He also advocated clearer disclosure when AI substantially shapes healthcare-related content or communication.
Despite the challenges, participants agreed that AI’s growing role in diagnostics, data management and surveillance signals a shift toward smarter, more efficient health systems.
They maintained that while AI can enhance accuracy and speed, medical professionals remain central to patient care, with technology serving as a complementary tool rather than a replacement.
