By Henry Oladele

 

Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Alex Alake, on Friday charged leaders in healthcare delivery in the state to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) without delay to tap from its gains.

 

“Don’t fear AI. Befriend it, learn it, challenge it, and every time someone says AI is going to take our jobs, smile and reply: Only if we let it,” Alake said in Lagos.

 

Alake gave the charge while speaking at a two-day management retreat organised by the Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHT).

 

Alake was represented by a senior officer in Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs Gbemisola Kayode-Bolarinwa.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat had the theme: ‘Preparing the Allied Healthcare Workforce for AI-Driven Future: Education Strategies for Tomorrow’s Challenges’.

 

Alake said that the future of healthcare in Lagos would be shaped by those who would embrace innovation.

 

Alake charged healthcare delivery leaders to be curious, bold and tech-savvy.

 

“LASCOHT has a unique opportunity to pioneer AI-ready allied health professionals who will improve accuracy in diagnostics and enhance efficiency in hospitals and clinics as well as bridge healthcare gaps in underserved communities,” he said.

 

Alake said that AI was no longer a futuristic concept.

 

“It is here and reshaping medicine worldwide.

 

“In terms of diagnostics, AI-powered tools like IBM Watson and Google’s DeepMind can analyse X-rays, detect tumors and predict disease outbreaks faster than humans.

 

“In telemedicine, startups like Helium Health and 54gene use AI for patient data management and genomic research.

 

“In rehabilitation, AI-driven prosthetics and robotic therapy devices are improving recovery for stroke and accident victims.

 

“In public health, AI helps to track disease patterns, such as predicting malaria outbreaks using climate and population data,” he said.

 

The keynote speaker, Dr Kolawole Godonu, Director, Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board, said that AI was transforming healthcare delivery.

 

Godonu said that AI had made Impacts on diagnostics, treatment and patients’ management.

 

Godonu proposed strategies for transforming health education.

 

“The five proposed strategies are curriculum re-engineering, faculty development, simulation-based learning, data-driven decision-making, and industry-academia collaboration.

 

“Traditional curricula must evolve to integrate modules on data literacy, machine learning, AI, digital diagnostics, and telehealth system.”

 

He added that the curricula must promote inter-disciplinary learning.

 

Godonu, however, said that AI raised ethical concerns even with its great promises.

 

“While AI offers great promise, it also raises ethical concerns such as biased algorithms, data privacy breaches, and inequitable access to digital tools.

 

“We must be intentional about teaching techno-ethics, ensuring our graduates can critically assess AI applications-not just for efficacy but for fairness, transparency and inclusivity.

 

“As a public institution with a mandate to serve society, LASCOHT has a unique role to democratise access to AI knowledge and make digital transformation work for many, not few,” he said.

 

Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Tolani Akibu, said that the state government was looking at upgrading the college and reviewing the law that established it.

 

“We have been looking at how we can go about this, and we are also looking at how the college can be given a polytechnic status,” he said.

 

Earlier, the Provost of LASCOHT, Prof. Raheem Akewushola, said that the theme of the retreat was timely

 

“AI is no longer an abstract concept; it is already reshaping how we diagnose, treat, manage, and even prevent diseases.

 

“The healthcare workforce of tomorrow must be technology savvy, adaptable and ready to thrive in an increasingly automated world.

 

“This retreat is our platform to ask: How do we ensure our graduates are not left behind?

 

“Over these two days, we will exchange ideas, revisit our strategies, and develop actionable plans that will guide us in integrating AI and other emerging technologies into our curriculum, research and our day-to-day operations,” he said.

 

He said that his administration, in the last one year, had made remarkable achievements.

 

“We have cleared a backlog of three academic sessions’ results, restoring trust and academic integrity.

 

“We have matriculated 802 new students, strengthening our reputation as a first-choice institution in heathcare technology.

 

“Also, we now have a college library stocked with current resources and a digital conference room for academic board meetings.

 

“LASCOHT also entered into a memorandum of understanding with Lagos State Health Service Commission, Lagos Primary Health Care Board and Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board,” he said.

 

The provost said that the memorandum of understanding was aimed at fostering collaboration, enhancing practical training and expanding career opportunities for students in healthcare industry.

 

“We have also introduced a digital lecture supervision and evaluation system, setting us on track for global best practices.

 

“We have opened a state-of-the-art college clinic in partnership with Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, a huge milestone for practical training and community service,” he added. (NAN)

 

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola