….expresses concern over risks AI poses

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AS Artificial Intelligence, AI, continues to gain adoption, a renowned global health advocate and President of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health and CEO of HealthAI, Dr Ricardo Baptista Leite, has called for regulation of AI in healthcare delivery in Nigeria and other African countries.

Leite in a series of high-level meetings, urged regional leaders on the importance of developing and strengthening regulatory capacities that align with global standards.

Meanwhile, he also met with the President, ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, including the Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and many other top Government officials to critically discuss the role of AI governance in West Africa’s healthcare.

The discussions centered on building regional capacities to manage AI’s rapid growth in healthcare, ensuring it is harnessed responsibly to drive sustainable development across healthcare, education, and innovation.

Interestingly, he (Leite) spearheaded the mission to promote the inclusion of ECOWAS countries, particularly, Nigeria, in global efforts to regulate AI.

However, he expressed concerns about AI adoption basically im the areas of absence of comprehensive governance structures poses significant risks to public interests, data security, and long-term innovation, and recognizing these gaps he spearheaded the mission to ECOWAS countries.

During his visit to Nigeria, Leite attended the Healthcare Policy Dialogue organized by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), where he had the opportunity to present to top healthcare leaders from Nigeria’s public and private sectors. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, was among the distinguished attendees.

These advocacy initiatives signal the beginning of a strategic movement to bring ECOWAS countries into the global conversation on AI regulation.

He said: “We provide technical assistance towards building effective country-led governance and regulatory models for the use of artificial intelligence within health systems.

“Our goal is to ensure that countries have the tools they need to manage the risks while fully embracing the opportunities AI offers to improve healthcare outcomes.

“Ultimately, we aim to support governments in their efforts to ensure citizens and patients are kept safe while promoting and harnessing the power of AI to help transform health systems. By doing so, we can help deliver better quality of life and well-being for all, while addressing the ethical and technical challenges AI presents.

“African countries must be active participants in shaping global AI regulations. If we do not address this gap now, the potential benefits of AI could be overshadowed by risks related to privacy, data misuse, and inequality.

“Nigeria has an opportunity to collaborate with European and other international partners to create resilient regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with public safety.”

With the support of the Country Director of PharmAccess and Founding Member of the Digital Transformations for Health Lab, Njide Ndili, there is a renewed commitment to addressing the critical need for an AI toolkit and awareness training for government agencies in Nigeria.

“Establishing a sound regulatory framework for AI in healthcare is essential to safeguard our communities as we embrace these technological advancements.

“It is imperative that we prioritize ethical standards to protect our communities as we integrate AI into healthcare systems.

“By fostering a culture of awareness and training, we can empower government agencies to navigate the complexities of AI in healthcare and make informed decisions. This is not just about technology; it’s about building a sustainable health ecosystem that benefits everyone in our region”, Ndili added.

These advocacy initiatives signal the beginning of a strategic movement to bring ECOWAS countries into the global conversation on AI regulation in healthcare. As West African nations continue to innovate, there is a growing recognition that governance must keep pace with technological advances. By fostering partnerships between ECOWAS, European countries, and organizations like HealthAI, the region is poised to take a leading role in the responsible development and regulation of AI technologies in healthcare.