Reflections from Africa Climate Change Summit & Health Sector Impact
My reflections from this week’s Africa Climate Change Summit and the health sector impact.
This week, for the first time, I attended a climate change conference, The Africa Climate Change summit.
There was an important side event organised by the Global Fund and Medtronics Labs. A conversational dinner with key stakeholders focused on the health risks, considerations, and digital needs and opportunities when considering ongoing climate change health threats.
A couple of key themes emerged from this important discussion.
Climate related health threats are real and unlike any we have faced before. We will need to be better at Predicting the health threats, Adapting to them as they evolve, and Responding to them in the moment.
These Predict, Adapt and Respond needs will require better, faster access to data especially from rapid diagnostics. Real-time #diseasesurveillance will become essential. It will require ready-made capabilities focused on the quick and effective introduction of new health technologies, delivery models, products, and diagnostics. More than ever, it will require a new look at decentralised primary health care models (including self diagnosis and care).
Technology will be essential in navigating climate related health threats and common challenges including connectivity, interoperability, and broad acceptance of cloud-based technologies will need to be addressed. In parallel, there will need to be more innovation and courage to explore the role of AI in helping to manage these threats.
I am encouraged that Audere is ideally positioned to play an important role in positively navigating climate related health threats. With our growing suite of AI capabilities, our non-profit status, our unique blend of ML/AI development excellence, our local African presence, and our understanding of the local health context we are excited to be leaning into the health needs related to climate change.
