Smart Health Africa Summit – Innovative. Safe. Connected

In Partnership with

Smart Health Africa

About

Smart Health Summit

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the Smart Health Africa Summit emerges as a pivotal hub for thought leadership in digital healthcare within the region. Bringing together over 200 influential decision-makers from across Africa, this summit signifies a strategic opportunity in a market witnessing a substantial uptick in technology investments. With the global Digital Health Market projected to reach $549.7 billion by 2028, it offers an unparalleled chance to leverage emerging trends and shape the perspectives of crucial industry stakeholders. Each theme will be discussed and debated by expert global, regional and local speakers and panelists.

THEMES

Explore the latest trends and influence key industry leaders with our engaging themes.

Innovations in Digital Therapeutics for Mental Health

Millions of people globally experience mental health conditions every year and the number of individuals seeking treatment is trending upward. Whilst the increased use of technology has had a significantly negative impact on the rise in mental health disorders, digital solutions are also playing an impressive role in enabling access, personalised care, monitoring progress, taking timely preventative action and increasing the understanding of mental well-being. Improved well-being on a global scale is being supported by technology from teletherapy to mental health applications, AI-driven diagnosis, VR exposure therapy, gamified engagement and online support communities. This theme will unpack the gaps in mental health care and how technology is being positively utilised to address a growing contributor to the Global Burden of Disease.

AI and Large Language Models (LLM) for Women and Child Health

Reducing barriers to care, boosting community health worker skills, and capturing and using real-time data are just a few areas in which technology is advancing women and child healthcare. Women and child health is a global concern that is particularly pessimistic across Africa with a disproportionate number of low and middle-income countries. Key challenges in digital connectivity exist and that need to be taken into consideration including affordable mobile data, access to smartphones rather than feature phones and culturally appropriate solutions that are better suited to low-literacy users. That said, the use of digital solutions is growing across the continent. This theme will unpack the opportunities being created through technology for governments, NGOs and the private sector to access communities with education and better quality care.

Digitisation in Oncology, Robotics and Surgery

Robotics is revolutionizing the field of surgery, bringing about transformative changes in the way surgical procedures are performed. Robot-assisted surgery has transformed how surgeons and doctors perform a variety of complex procedures by introducing new levels of precision, enabling minimally invasive approaches, providing advanced visualization, and expanding the capabilities of surgeons. Add to that the convergence of robotics and 5G technology and we are witnessing a transformative era in surgery, revolutionizing the way procedures are conducted and healthcare is delivered. In this theme we will discuss the ongoing development and integration of robotic and 5G technologies enhancing surgical capabilities, promoting accessibility to expertise, and leveraging advanced technologies to improve patient outcomes and the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery.

Digital Solutions in Home-Based Care and Rehabilitation

‘It is estimated that 2.5 billion people worldwide live with health conditions that benefit from rehabilitation. Owing to population growth, aging, and the increasing number of people with chronic diseases and disabilities, the need for rehabilitation is steadily increasing worldwide.’ – JMIR Publications Increasing pressure on healthcare systems means a shift to home-based care and rehabilitation is essential and technology is the enabler. Digital rehabilitation (DR) is empowering patients and caregivers in home-based care by providing tools for remote monitoring, personalized treatment plans, and improved communication. In this theme we will discuss the use of sensors, robotic devices, gamification, VR and AR, mobile apps, artificial intelligence and machine learning to transform home-based care contributing to improved outcomes, increased patient engagement, less strain on the health care system and a more patient-centric approach to healthcare.

Digital Equity and Access in Universal Health Coverage

Digital health has been at the forefront of global health discussions, particularly regarding the expansion of telehealth and the integration and analysis of data from national health systems. The last decade has witnessed a close examination of the promises and challenges associated with digital health, further intensified by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A sustainable digital transformation necessitates capacity-building in health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), fostering a culture of digital interventions supported by local research and innovation. Strengthening the digital infrastructure of national health systems, including database analysis, is crucial for realizing the full potential of data in improving service quality and reach. Interoperability in digital health can underpin a range of public health policies, particularly in primary healthcare, fostering connectivity between electronic records, pharmacy, laboratory information, communication systems, and clinical decision support. This theme will unpack the complexities and opportunities related to democratizing digital health focusing on scalable solutions, collaborative efforts, and infrastructural development to ensure quality health services, even in low-resource settings.

Connect With Who Matters Most

Smart Health Africa is your premier annual digital health event. In 2024, our primary objective is to harness technology to enable access for the delivery of efficient and timely healthcare services to communities across the African continent. It's a unique gathering of top pan-African Medical Professionals, healthcare organisations, government agencies and cutting-edge technology providers convening in one location for two days. Our event provides a platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, driving innovation, ideation, and, most importantly, establishing meaningful connections to drive the digital healthcare agenda forward.