Artificial Intelligence (AI) could help improve disease detection, support medical professionals and strengthen healthcare delivery in Nigeria, experts have said.
The call was made at the 3rd Faculty of Clinical Sciences Conference of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, where healthcare professionals examined how digital innovations could reshape clinical practice.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Folajimi Adebowale, Chief Executive Officer of AEyeCARE Limited, highlighted the potential of AI-powered tools to address some of the challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly the shortage and migration of medical personnel.
Adebowale explained that AI could support healthcare workers by improving efficiency, assisting clinical documentation and providing additional diagnostic support.
He cited a major Swedish breast cancer screening study involving 105,934 women, which recorded a 29 per cent increase in cancer detection through AI-supported screening and a 44 per cent reduction in radiologists’ screen-reading workload without an increase in false-positive results.
He also referenced research involving 39,849 patient visits across 15 primary healthcare clinics in Nairobi, Kenya, where an AI-supported clinical decision tool was associated with fewer errors in patient history-taking, diagnosis and treatment.
Highlighting African innovations, Adebowale presented Ubenwa, a Nigerian-founded technology that analyses newborns’ cries to identify possible signs of birth asphyxia.
He also showcased AEyeCARE’s ASPIRE technology, which combines a portable retinal camera with an Android application to support the screening of patients for conditions such as cerebral malaria.
The technology is designed to provide screening results within approximately one minute, including in areas with limited internet connectivity.
The keynote speaker, however, cautioned that AI should serve as an assistant rather than a replacement for medical professionals, stressing that clinical judgement, empathy and local knowledge remained essential to effective healthcare delivery.
He urged healthcare workers to protect patients’ personal information, verify AI-generated information against trusted clinical guidelines, maintain professional accountability and use institutionally approved tools.
For medical students, Adebowale recommended using AI as a study partner for clinical reasoning exercises, simulated patient interactions, revision questions and explanations of complex medical concepts.
He warned against allowing the technology to replace independent thinking and learning.He also encouraged healthcare institutions to begin with small, measurable AI applications, evaluate their impact and establish guidelines for responsible adoption.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED, Prof. Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, urged healthcare professionals to embrace Artificial Intelligence and other digital health innovations to improve clinical practice, patient safety and healthcare delivery.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Clinical Services), Adejuyigbe said technologies such as AI, telemedicine, digital health records and predictive analytics offered opportunities to improve clinical decision-making, expand access to healthcare and strengthen health systems.
She described the conference theme, “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health: Reimagining Clinical Medicine in the Digital Era,” as timely, noting that technological innovations were transforming disease diagnosis, treatment and patient monitoring.
However, she emphasised that adopting these technologies must involve careful consideration of ethical issues, data privacy, cybersecurity, equitable access and responsible application of AI.
According to her, technology should complement rather than replace clinical judgement, compassion and the human connection central to quality healthcare.
The Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, O. A. Adejumo, also stressed the importance of embracing technological developments, saying Nigeria could not afford to remain on the sidelines of the global transformation in healthcare.
He explained that the conference was designed to promote evidence-based discussions, encourage collaboration and generate practical ideas that participants could apply in hospitals, clinics and medical classrooms.
Adejumo appreciated the university management, faculty members, students, sponsors and partners for their contributions to the conference. He also commended the organising committee, led by Olufemi Ogundele, for its efforts in organising the event.
The conference also featured oral and poster presentations by faculty members and students, providing opportunities for academic engagement, knowledge exchange and professional networking.
