Prof. Kabir Durowade, a consultant epidemiologist, has called for the careful application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and telemedicine within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Durowade made the call on Sunday at the 6th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of Offa Doctors, held in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He described Artificial Intelligence as an interdisciplinary field that combines computer science, mathematics, neuroscience and linguistics to create systems capable of simulating human intelligence.
“Artificial Intelligence systems can generate novel text, images, videos and other outputs, and have the potential to solve some of the world’s most complex problems,” he said.
According to him, AI has the capacity to redefine patient care, improve health outcomes and reduce the workload on healthcare professionals.
Durowade noted that AI was rapidly transforming many sectors, stressing that healthcare was no exception.
He explained that telemedicine enables remote access to medical care through technology-driven platforms such as video calls, messaging services and mobile applications, adding that its use was gaining momentum across Nigeria.
However, he lamented the persistent shortage of health workers in the country, worsened by the “japa syndrome,” which has further weakened Nigeria’s doctor-to-population ratio.
He said the country’s high disease burden and low doctor-to-patient ratio presented opportunities for the effective deployment of AI and telemedicine in healthcare delivery.
Earlier, the President of Offa Doctors, Dr Rasheed Odunola, highlighted the significance of the gathering, noting that the forum was marking its seventh year and hosting its first scientific conference.
He described Offa Doctors as a non-political, purpose-driven organization established to promote service, unity and community development.
“Since its inception, members and successive executives have remained committed to diligently pursuing the forum’s goals and objectives,” Odunola said.
He disclosed that the association had renovated health centres, sustained a monthly radio health enlightenment programme across the state and awarded scholarships to indigent medical students.
Other achievements, he said, included the commissioning of a secretariat and the creation of a global database of medical doctors of Offa origin.
Odunola noted that unofficial records showed over 300 Offa-born doctors worldwide, but only about 100 were financial members, with 106 fully captured in the forum’s database.
He described the gap as an area requiring collective effort and improvement.
The president reaffirmed members’ commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Offa, neighboring communities and Kwara State at large.
