Writing by Ali Muhammad Rabi’u;Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
A medical expert from the University of Ilorin, Professor Ibraheem Katibi, says a locally developed artificial-intelligence system capable of interpreting Electrocardiogram(ECG) readings for Africans is ready and undergoing final validation.
Professor Katibi who was the former Dean of the Medical School and current Director of the Central Research Laboratories made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
According to him the innovation is designed to correct long-standing inaccuracies that arise from using diagnostic machines developed for Caucasian populations.
Professor Katibi said years of research by his team, in comparison with British, Indian and Chinese populations, have shown clear physiological differences in ECG patterns between Africans and Caucasians.
He warned that relying on imported devices “gives the wrong interpretation,” which may lead to wrong diagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
Professor Katibi noted that his team has now built a digital ECG system and an AI-powered diagnostic algorithm tailored to African populations.
The Professor explained that the tool will allow an individual to record and interpret an ECG using a mobile phone.
He maintained that when completed, the innovation will allow people to check their heart status at home just as they check blood sugar or blood pressure from the comfort of their bedrooms and offices.
The cardiologist decried the poor funding of research in Nigeria, saying government allocations remain far below global standards when juxtaposed with National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the United States for example.
He stressed that the country cannot continue to rely on solutions developed abroad for problems that require local understanding.
On the challenges facing young Nigerian Doctors, he said the problem is not competence but the harsh working environment.
He said Nigerian doctors excel abroad because they work in organised systems that reward effort and provide supportive conditions. “Labor is global,” he said, adding that workers will naturally move to places where their skills are valued.
Speaking on preventive health measures, he advised Nigerians to cut down on salt and food seasoning, exercise regularly, rest, and eat fruits and vegetables.
Ali Muhammad Rabi’u.
