A tech group in Ghana, led by young innovators, has developed a cutting-edge tool that uses artificial intelligence to diagnose ailments as part of efforts to improve access to quality, affordable health care in the country.

The diagnostic tool, which has been certified by the Food and Drug Authority, analyses uploaded scanned images to detect and diagnose ailments.

The team developed the diagnostic tool two years ago but has revamped it this year to make it more efficient.

It can generate a medical report, prescribe medications, and also recommend treatment procedures, easing the work load of radiologists at health care facilities. All reports generated by the AI tool are also assessed by clinicians.

According to the Journal of World Future Medicine, Health, and Nursing, early detection in disease management is a key factor in improving the effectiveness of treatment and reducing the negative impact of disease on individuals and society.

Darlington Akologo, the team leader of the young innovators at Mino Health AI Labs, developers of the diagnostic tool, is hopeful the diagnostic tool will improve health outcomes in the country.

In an interview with VOA, Darlington Akologo said the initiative seeks to improve access to health care delivery in the country.

“The goal is to get very good access to quality health care, regardless of where we are.

So let us empower our health workers by leveraging AI  tools," he noted.

He acknowledged concerns about the limitations of the AI tool and the potential danger of a wrong diagnosis.

“If you have a complex MRI of the brain and you want the AI diagnostic tool to pick up something like a stroke, you cannot do it. We understand the limitations of AI and have made it clear to clinicians that the tool should not have the final say; let clinicians have the final say," he noted.

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