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Bridging the Healthcare Gap: Leveraging Digital- and AI-based Solutions

SpeakerS:

Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director, Stop TB Partnership
Nicolai Haugaard, VP, Novo Nordisk
Aria Bendix, Health Reporter, NBC Universal
Nick Cain, VP, Strategy & Innovation, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation

With Lead Programming Partner

“We all saw during the COVID pandemic how AI helped automate scientific research and expedite distribution of a global vaccine in record time.” Aria Bendix
“You can use AI to basically bring the care closer to the people and destroy that bottleneck which is usually in the access, which is the distance, which is friendliness. We can disrupt the space by using AI, and that's what we tried to do at Stop TB Partnership for several years already, and that's what we try to do more.” Dr. Lucica Ditiu
“All sectors involved have a responsibility to come back to some of the principles we talked about at the beginning—the standards and interoperability in particular, which is connected to siloization... The point being, things need to be reviewed holistically, and as a private sector entity considers an investment, the question needs to be asked: How will this interact with other solutions in the market? How will this interact with other donors? How will this reach policymakers?” Nick Cain
“We truly believe that the power of AI, the opportunity of data ecosystems, and so on, have a huge role to play in being part of this people-centric approach.” Nicolai Haugaard

Key takeaways:

  • AI and digital technologies enhance healthcare access: AI and digital technologies can enhance healthcare access, especially in marginalized communities, bringing healthcare services directly to people’s doorsteps to combat diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes. 
  • Importance of people-centric strategies and local empowerment: The success of healthcare initiatives relies on a people-centric approach that reflect  diverse realities of individuals, families, and healthcare workers in low and middle-income countries, building trust through representative tools and accurate information. 
  • Local empowerment is crucial: Communities are more likely to trust entities that understand their specific contexts, with bottom-up strategies that map access gaps and work with local partners to create sustainable healthcare solutions. 
  • Public-private partnerships are essential: Collaborations between organizations like the Stop TB Partnership and private sector entities can accelerate the development and deployment of healthcare solutions. 
  • Global health challenges require collaborative efforts: Tackling diseases like TB, which infects about 5% of the world’s population, and cardiometabolic conditions needs a collaborative, integrated approach and increased funding, moving beyond isolated interventions. 
  • Global innovations, not just in developed nations: Significant innovations in healthcare are occurring in the “Big South,” where communities face numerous challenges and are embracing new technologies and methods. 

Action items:

  • Invest in AI and data-driven healthcare solutions: Allocate resources towards the development and implementation of AI technologies to improve healthcare access in marginalized communities. 
  • Implement people-centric healthcare models: Design healthcare systems that involve local communities in the planning and execution of health initiatives to ensure they meet the specific needs of the population. 
  • Foster public-private partnerships: Encourage collaborations between government entities, non-profit organizations, and the private sector to leverage combined expertise and resources. 
  • Adopt bottom-up approaches: Empower local ecosystems by involving them directly in identifying access gaps and creating tailored solutions, thereby promoting sustainability and economic growth. 
  • Increase funding for high-impact diseases: Prioritize funding for diseases with significant global impact, such as TB and cardiometabolic diseases, to support research, prevention, and treatment efforts. 
  • Utilize ai for diagnostics and treatment monitoring: Leverage AI tools for early detection of diseases (e.g., using AI for x-ray diagnostics) and monitor treatment adherence to improve health outcomes. 
  • Build trust through community representation: Ensure that healthcare tools and models are developed with community input and are representative of local needs to build trust and encourage utilization