The Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria (EMSON) and the Ogun State Government have advocated the use of technology to tackle non-communicable diseases like diabetes and obesity.
The Acting National President of the society, Prof. Andrew Uloko, who made this known on Wednesday in Abeokuta at the 45th Scientific Conference, emphasised the importance of deploying artificial intelligence in healthcare.
The theme of the conference is “Diabetes and Technology.”
According to Uloko, with the use of technology, it is now possible for a patient to transmute data to his doctor who is in the UK, America, Australia and wherever.
“Within minutes, the doctor can look at the data of such patient, interact with and tell him the next steps to take to improve his health.
“Inadequate funding is a significant challenge in the health sector, hence, the need for awareness about technology’s role in healthcare. Lawmakers should ensure rural areas have access to technological equipment.
“It is about time we talked about technology in the way we care for our patients; it is now common in the world, and it is beginning to gain interest in Nigeria now,” he said.
The national president assured that EMSON would, in all ways, contribute to the development of health in Nigeria.
“We hope to, at the end of this conference, dwell heavily on diabetes and technology, and that awareness is created in support of the latest technology devices available.
“We will also come up with a powerful recommendation in a communique that will be available to health policy-makers,” he added.
Earlier, the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Babatope Kolawole, submitted that technological advancements were focused on safer and more accurate glucose measurement in insulin delivery.
According to Kolawole, technology has improved glucose measurement and insulin delivery, enabling self-management through smartphone apps, modified insulin pens, and pumps.
“Diabetes is a global health issue with 90 per cent of cases predicted to affect 55 million people by 2045,” he said.
Also, the Ogun Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, stated that non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, were becoming a burden in Nigeria and low-middle-income countries.
No fewer than 200 delegates, including experts from various medical fields, were present at the conference.
NAN
