Chukwudi: Big Data, AI Can Revolutionise Healthcare

In this interview with Folalumi Alaran, data scientist and player in Nigeria’s tech sector, Wisdom Chekwube Chukwudi who has been pioneering efforts to integrate Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Nigeria’s healthcare system says their application could revolutionise the system

You began teaching yourself data  science at  a  very   young age. Can you share that experience?

Certainly. At age 12, I was highly fascinated by the potential of data to answer complex questions and solve real-world problems in the tech industry. I started on a self-learning journey where I began exploring different online resources like W3Schools and YouTube, experimenting with coding and diving deep into Python programming language, machine learning and statistics. It was a very challenging, yet rewarding process that laid the foundation for my current work in healthcare using Big data and AI.

How do you  see  Big Data  and  AI playing a part in the healthcare industry?

I believe Big Data and AI will alter the healthcare industry. Daily, a massive amount of health data is produced in the modern world. Unfortunately, a lot of this data is not being utilised correctly. We can extract important insights from this data using Big Data and AI, ultimately improving healthcare delivery. Additionally, using AI-powered systems that may recommend personalised treatment plans based on individual patient data will improve treatment planning in the Nigerian healthcare industry, resulting in more effective and focused medicines.

Nigeria continues to battle diseases like malaria. How can Big Data and AI change the narrative?

Nigeria accounts for 27% of global malaria cases, per the World Malaria Report 2020. Big Data and AI can significantly impact disease management. Through machine learning algorithms, we can build predictive models to forecast disease outbreaks, facilitating proactive interventions and ultimately reducing our disease burden. 

Personalised medicine is gaining momentum worldwide. Can you discuss the relevance of AI and Big Data in this context?

The future of medicine is personalised care. Treatment regimens can be customised to a person’s genetic profile thanks to advances in genomics and AI’s analytical skills. Early disease detection, precise treatment, and enhanced healthcare outcomes are all possible with this strategy.

In your opinion, what challenges must we overcome to integrate Big Data and AI into our healthcare system fully?

Several challenges need addressing. Firstly, we must ensure data privacy and security, as health data is incredibly sensitive. Secondly, our digital infrastructure needs upgrading. As of 2022, our internet penetration was around 51%, according to DataReportal. Bridging this digital divide is crucial. Lastly, enhancing data literacy and technical skills among healthcare professionals is critical.

Despite these challenges, what are some reasons to be optimistic about the future?

Nigeria has a vibrant tech ecosystem, with over 90 active tech hubs reported in 2023. Given the proper government and private sector support for Nigeria’s health care, these hubs can serve as breeding grounds for innovative AI and Big Data solutions.

How crucial is an investment for actualising this vision?

Very crucial. Investment is vital. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), it has predicted that $3 billion will be possibly spent on AI in the Middle East and Africa by 2023. Nigeria must seize this opportunity to build our nation’s digital healthcare infrastructure.

That is your outlook on the future of healthcare in Nigeria?

Big Data and AI have the potential to transform the healthcare industry completely, improving patient care, illness control, and system resilience. It’s time for us to take advantage of our thriving IT sector, incorporate Big Data and AI, invest in digital infrastructure, and establish Nigeria as the continent’s leader in healthcare innovation.