Africa’s Healthcare Worker Migration: How to Bridge the Gap Through Digital Health

Africa is plagued with massive population movements across its national boundaries as millions are leaving its shores for developed nations in search of better livelihood and a more secure future. Africans are ranked as the most mobile people on earth. A vast majority are risking everything for a promise of a better life.

As a huge labor exporting region, Africa is seeing its vibrant workforce migration deplete the domestic talent, money, and value. The mass exodus is damaging to the African economy as a whole, and ultimately reinforces the dependency of Africa on developed countries for healthcare services and more.

Health workers represent a portion of professionals who migrate but their loss is highly significant. The ostensible dearth of health workers in African countries grossly contributes to weakened health systems in the continent. The NHS reported in 2017 that about 5,314 Nigerians, 2,342 Ghanaians, 1,641 South Africans, 1,026 Egyptians, 705 Kenyans, and 469 Sudanese are part of its staff. Also, 77 percent of members of associations of black doctors in the US are Nigerians, with the estimated number of 25,000 Nigerian doctors employed.

The patient-to-doctor ratios are alarming for a continent with a high disease burden. For instance, Nigeria has a ratio of 1:6,000, Tanzania 1:20,000, and Kenya 1:16,000.

Across the continent, the health workforce’s decision to emigrate is influenced by various reasons per country. Some of these are poor infrastructure and healthcare policies, poverty, job scarcity, political insecurity, low wages, harsh economic conditions, insecurity war, educational purposes, the attraction of higher pay and better opportunities for one’s family.

Consequently, the areas where they departed are impoverished. Essentially, their nations of origin are denied the services and expertise they would have otherwise provided; health workers who remain in their countries are ultimately overburdened and constantly burnt out. These phenomena would resonate with the Nigerian society.

“Faced with this dilemma, what do we do to bridge the gap and provide adequate healthcare for an increasing population?”

Technology

Technological innovations have disrupted and revolutionized the way things are done in healthcare. Technology has made striking inroads for various treatments, toward lifesaving and reduction of cost. Health technology or digital health has transformed systems, processes and capabilities that were once restricted to physical locations, use of specialized equipment or expertise. Startups in health tech are working on everything from apps for booking appointments, patient monitoring, telehealth, etc.

Even countries with developed healthcare systems have health-tech initiatives to bridge the perceived gaps. For Instance, The UK NHS, despite having the best health service in the world, has well-defined strategies for its existing and future services through its NHS Digital. In recent times, the NHS began focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) in ways that would support its delivery of healthcare services. In a May 2018 speech, Theresa May pledged to revolutionize the health service by deploying AI in the NHS, aiming to prevent over 20,000 cancer-related deaths by 2033.

Health Technology Filling in the Gap

Africa is not left behind in the uptake of digital technology. Its application to healthcare can drastically address the depletion of its workforce. Technology will allow healthcare providers to prioritize care for patients. It will also offer opportunities to match patients to clinical trials. There are various startups springing up all over the continent with innovations that are changing the face of healthcare.

In Cameroon, Cardiopad provides a medical tablet for ECG to help manage cardiovascular diseases. In Rwanda, drones developed by Zipline deliver medical supplies, while in Ghana Mpharma makes prescription drugs easily accessible and affordable. Redbirdht from Ghana built a solution that monitors the health of users to prevent serious illnesses.

The Rise of Online Hospitals

We have seen the rise of online hospitals in Africa. There are Doctoora in Nigeria, Connectmed in Kenya, Bisain Ghana and Hellodoctor in South Africa. Through these websites or phone apps, people can choose the best doctors to consult for their health concerns. These online hospitals help free up the emergency rooms and other medical facilities.

Artificial Intelligence To Improve Diagnosis

Patients now interact with software that can assess their conditions and advise them to visit the right hospital or in some cases, on the right course of action.

Babylon Health, which has over two million Rwandans on its platform, recently released a study that shows that its chatbot scored higher than a human doctor in a medical examination. Your.MD, whose OneStopHealth™ marketplace is particularly popular in Africa, has a host of local providers on its platform from countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Ethiopi. Artificial Intelligence is used to understand what an individual is typing and to advise him on his health concerns. Ubenwa, a startup in Nigeria, also uses AI to diagnose birth asphyxia by analyzing a baby’s cry rather than using a blood-gas analyser, making detection easier. These robots can identify and prioritize the seriously ill patients and cut waiting times at hospitals.

What’s Next for Africa?

The use of technology, especially AI, in Africa’s healthcare has many potential benefits. A recent survey from PWC shows that Africans (94% of the respondent from Nigeria and 62% from South Africa) more than their western counterparts are willing to interact with an AI robot that can answer health questions, perform tests, make diagnoses, recommend and administer treatment. With the growing awareness of direct link between mental health and physical health—coupled with the shortage of mental health professionals—robots can become a virtual therapist to help Africans build mental resilience.

Asynchronous tele-psychiatry could also play a role here. This is when people answer preselected mental status questionnaires and do some video-based mood check-ins that can be checked by a mental health professional later.

Blockchain technology, if deployed properly, could also improve the African healthcare landscape. Its usage in electronic medical records or in insurance systems between providers and HMOs can even disrupt the healthcare space.

Jossy Onwude is the Chief Health Analytics Officer of mediXserve. To learn more about health-tech company mediXserve, check out our website medixserve.com or Facebook page, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.