Africa’s cancer future depends on quality data, health informatics, says Nwanne

… AI and precision oncology cannot work without reliable African cancer data

… calls for locally designed digital health systems rather than wholesale adoption of foreign models

… paper-based and hybrid systems can still support effective data collection in rural areas

THE future of cancer care in Africa will depend not only on access to artificial intelligence, precision medicine, immunotherapy and other advanced treatments, but also on the continent’s ability to generate, organise and connect high-quality cancer data, a health informatics expert, Chamberlain Nwanne, has said.

Nwanne, who spoke on the second day of the symposium on New Frontiers in Cancer Care: Leveraging AI, Precision Medicine and Innovative Research in Africa, said reliable data must form the foundation on which emerging cancer technologies and treatment approaches are built.