The South African Medical Association (SAMA) recently hosted an Executive Roundtable focused on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming healthcare. The event highlighted how AI is shaping the future of the healthcare sector, offering innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges South Africa faces.

As technology rapidly evolves, AI is seen as a pivotal tool in improving healthcare delivery, increasing efficiency, and enhancing patient outcomes. Experts discussed the ways AI can tackle issues such as limited access to care, medical staff shortages, and the high disease burden while ensuring the technology is applied ethically and inclusively. 

South Africa’s healthcare system faces significant challenges, with the country experiencing one of the highest disease burdens globally. According to the South African National Health Insurance (NHI), the country’s health sector grapples with a high incidence of chronic diseases, including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, which affect millions of South Africans. These conditions not only put pressure on the healthcare system but also limit the available resources for broader health initiatives.  

AI’s potential to assist with early detection, predictive analytics, and personalised care is seen as a critical solution to mitigate these challenges and improve overall health outcomes. However, AI implementation must be equitable, ensuring it does not exacerbate existing disparities but works to bridge the gap in healthcare access. 

AI’s potential in healthcare is transformative. Speakers at the roundtable noted that AI could revolutionise both urban and rural access to care, especially in underserved areas.  

Dr. Rubin Pillay, a leading medical futurist, stressed that AI is not a replacement for doctors but a tool to augment their capabilities. He pointed out that AI has the potential to dramatically reduce medical errors. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around one in every 10 patients is harmed while receiving healthcare, and more than three million deaths occur annually due to unsafe care. In low-to-middle-income countries, as many as four in 100 people die from unsafe care.  

Furthermore, AI’s role in personalising medicine – moving away from the outdated “average patient” model – is particularly valuable, and in fields such as dermatology and radiology, where AI has already demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy in certain tasks. 

Wayne Janneker, Portfolio Executive of Healthcare at BCX, spoke about the importance of data in the future of healthcare. He argued that AI-enabled platforms could connect patients, healthcare providers, and researchers to create a digital ecosystem that enhances efficiency and access.  

He emphasised the need for a national AI healthcare platform to integrate diverse data sources and improve personalised care. Drawing inspiration from China’s advancements in healthcare tech, he highlighted the opportunity for South Africa to leverage private-sector innovations to bolster its public healthcare system. 

A critical factor in making AI work in South Africa is the development of electronic medical records (EMRs). Without a national EMR system, AI’s potential to enhance precision medicine and improve healthcare outcomes remains untapped. Janneker warned that South Africa risks falling behind if it does not prioritise the establishment of a comprehensive EMR system. 

The South African government is taking steps to incorporate AI into healthcare. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande reinforced the government’s commitment to innovation and collaboration, emphasising the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation’s 10-year plan.  

This strategy aligns with both the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), with a specific focus on preventative healthcare. The Minister called for local expertise, AI research centres, and continuous learning for healthcare professionals to drive long-term, sustainable change. 

The roundtable concluded with a clear message: South Africa stands at a crossroads in its healthcare journey. AI offers unprecedented potential to improve healthcare access, efficiency, and outcomes. However, the country must overcome significant challenges, such as bridging the gap between urban and rural healthcare, addressing data access and privacy concerns, and ensuring that AI is developed and deployed with equity in mind. AI should not be seen as a standalone solution but rather as part of a broader healthcare ecosystem that involves local talent development, policy frameworks, and ethical practices. 

As the speakers emphasised, the future of healthcare is not just about adopting cutting-edge technologies but reimagining the entire healthcare delivery system. When used responsibly, AI could be the key to creating a more equitable, efficient, and connected healthcare system in South Africa. And the time to act, is now.