Medical Experts Push for AI Use in Diagnosis and Patient Care

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Medical practitioners have been urged the use of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in an ethical and responsible manner in the healthcare sector to navigate the rapidly changing technological transformation.

Speaking during the Kenya Association of Physicians (KAP) annual conference in Mombasa, KAP President Dr Erick Njenga emphasized the need for collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based practice to address increasingly complex and interconnected health challenges.

He described this year’s theme, “Cutting Edge Innovations in the AI Era to Equip the Next Generation of Physicians,” as timely, noting that physicians and healthcare leaders across the continent are uniquely positioned to forge partnerships that will shape the future of medicine in Africa.

Dr Njenga acknowledged that while AI presents challenges, Kenya has put in place regulatory frameworks to guide its use in healthcare through the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.

“There are now laws that have been enacted into how AI is used and governed, especially in the issue of data protection when you’re looking at patient data. AI is being used to collect research data.

How do you protect this data? How is it stored? For how long should it be stored? So all these are actually government acts from the ICT Commission,” he stated.

He added that AI was already widely used by medical practitioners, bringing both opportunities and limitations that must be carefully managed.

“You also have to ensure that the information that AI provides is accurate because it’s highly accessible to all our patients. There are also ways in which to ensure that we provide the correct platforms where they can accurately access this information, and it’s a reliable source which can be backed up by clinical evidence.”

KAP executive committee member Dr Irene Njeri highlighted how AI was helping address disparities in healthcare access, particularly in underserved regions.

She noted that the concentration of physicians in Nairobi has left some counties underserved, but AI is now bridging that gap by enhancing communication and collaboration among medical professionals.

“AI is enhancing communication among physicians, especially those in remote and underserved areas. It enables better collaboration across distant and far-flung counties.”

According to her physicians are increasingly leveraging AI in diagnostics, patient follow-up, and predicting health outcomes.

“In diagnostics, for instance, radiology technologies allow us to collaborate with specialists both locally and internationally. Our programme focuses on key subspecialties including cardiology, nephrology, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, neurology, and rheumatology,” she explained.

Meanwhile, East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP) Coordinator, Dr Olive Kunga, underscored the importance of training in preparing the next generation of doctors.

She said the conference serves as a critical platform for mentorship, enabling trainees to engage with experienced physicians and deepen their knowledge in research, modern medical practice, and AI applications in healthcare.

“Beyond networking, the conference offers extensive mentorship opportunities in research, current medical practice, and the application of AI in today’s healthcare landscape.”