Ex-Ogun NMA Chair Dr Ashimi Advocates AI in Healthcare

Dr Kunle Ashimi, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association in Ogun State, called for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and telemedicine to tackle healthcare challenges in Africa during his keynote address at The Concept Academy Intercollegiate Medical Essay Competition 2026 in Abeokuta. He highlighted the continent's struggle with a shortage of medical personnel and limited access to specialist services, particularly in rural areas.

Ashimi pointed out that this shortage has led to unqualified individuals posing as medical practitioners, which poses risks to patients. He proposed that AI could enhance healthcare delivery through predictive triage, remote diagnostics, and multilingual AI agents.

He explained that AI systems could assess patients' vital signs to prioritize care and that telemedicine could connect patients in underserved areas with specialists. Ashimi emphasized that AI should complement healthcare professionals rather than replace them, advocating for the integration of electronic medical records in healthcare facilities.