Health experts have advocated greater use of artificial intelligence (AI), genomic surveillance and digital health platforms to strengthen disease control, improve patient outcomes and expand access to affordable healthcare in Nigeria.

They made the call on Thursday at the 11th Future of Health Conference, organised by Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja.

Dr Ify Aniebo, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics, highlighted the potential of genomic sequencing and AI to identify drug-resistant malaria parasites and guide targeted interventions.

Aniebo said conventional epidemiological approaches alone could not provide the detailed genetic information needed to understand how malaria parasites spread and develop resistance to medicines.

She said studies conducted in 2015 revealed differences in the genetic profiles of drug-resistant parasites in northern and southern Nigeria.

According to her, a 2017 pilot study found variations among parasite strains across 20 local government areas in Lagos State.

“The findings demonstrated the need for interventions tailored to local resistance patterns rather than a uniform national approach.

She said Nigeria conducted its first national malaria genomic survey in 2021, followed by another in 2025, bringing the total number of parasites collected for analysis to more than 60,000.

She said laboratory innovations had reduced the cost of sequencing parasite DNA from about 150 dollars to 20 dollars, while machine learning and AI were helping researchers analyse genetic data and provide policymakers with evidence for decision-making.

The researcher said that a digital dashboard and an AI tool with a WhatsApp interface had been developed to make malaria resistance information more accessible to policymakers.

She said the approach could help authorities identify parasite hotspots, monitor emerging resistance and direct interventions to areas where they were most needed.

Mr Ikechukwu Anoke, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Zuri Health, advocated a doctor-in-every-phone model.

On healthcare access, Anoke said innovation should address practical challenges, including limited access to medical professionals, high diagnostic costs and late detection of diseases.

He said widespread mobile phone ownership provided an opportunity to connect people in underserved communities with doctors, irrespective of their locations.

“Our pledge is to put a doctor in every phone in Nigeria,” he said.

He cited Zuri Health’s experience in Kenya, where technology-driven consultations and community-based medical services had been deployed to bring healthcare closer to underserved populations.

He also highlighted the use of AI and smartphone camera technology to support screening for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

According to him, technology could reduce the cost of some diagnostic services.

He cited a proposed reduction in the cost of certain tests from about N40,000 to N1,000.

He said community-based healthcare models incorporating diagnostic laboratories, ultrasound services, dental and optical care could improve access to screening and treatment.

Ms Pamela Egbo, Executive Director of the ObiJackson Foundation, highlighted how AI-enabled platforms could help people manage chronic diseases and reduce avoidable hospital visits.

Egbo said AI-enabled self-care support could also help address challenges associated with managing non-communicable diseases, particularly among low-income households.

She said that the ObiJackson Foundation’s Complete Health platform connected members with health coaches, emotional wellness coaches, fitness coaches and nutritionists, alongside an AI-enabled companion called Ken.

“Ken provides real-time conversations, answers health-related questions and helps identify cases requiring further clinical attention.

“It can reach 10,000 people at once, which a healthcare coach can not.

“The technology was designed to complement, rather than replace, healthcare professionals,” she said.

Egbo said human oversight remained essential, with clinical teams reviewing interactions and escalating high-risk cases for appropriate medical attention.

She said that 1,053 members had engaged with Ken, with 604 reportedly resolving their concerns without visiting a hospital or other healthcare facility.

She said that 77.8 per cent of members whose cases were escalated were reached by a human coach, while 40.7 per cent of those referred for in-person care completed their facility referrals.

She said the figures illustrated the potential of combining digital tools with human support, while emphasising that such interventions needed effective links with healthcare facilities.

She said the foundation was working with the Lagos Telecare Primary Board to establish a closed-loop referral system to help ensure that patients referred for physical consultations received appropriate follow-up.

“The organisation also operated five community-based health hubs in densely populated areas of Lagos, where residents could obtain basic health measurements and monitor their health indicators,” she said.

She said that its NaviHealth.ai platform helped users locate nearby primary healthcare centres, doctors, dentists and other healthcare services.

She said that responsible AI, sustainable financing and integration with the wider health system were essential to ensuring that digital innovations translated into better health outcomes.

Newsmen report that the conference was with the theme, “From Innovation to Impact: The Future of Health is Now”.

The conference highlighted how technology could support malaria surveillance, connect patients to medical professionals and strengthen the management of chronic diseases.