The role of AI in transforming healthcare in South Africa

Authors

  • W Janneker Afritech AI

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2025.v115i5b.3672

Keywords:

Transforming Healthcare

Abstract

 

South Africa’s healthcare system struggles with resource constraints, workforce gaps, and rising disease burdens. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a scalable solution – enhancing diagnostics, drug discovery, and clinical decision-making while optimising hospital efficiency. Success depends on interoperable data, bias-aware AI models trained on local datasets, and robust ethical frameworks. Learning from China’s AI health strategy and leveraging BRICS collaboration, South Africa must prioritise a unified digital health infrastructure to ensure equitable, secure AI adoption. Responsible implementation can augment clinical expertise and improve care standards across public and private sectors.

References

1. Arora N, Banerjee AK, Narasu ML. The role of artificial intelligence in tackling COVID-19. Future Virol 2020;15(11):717-724. https://doi.org/10.2217/fvl-2020-0130

2. Markets and Markets. Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare market growth, drivers, and opportunities. https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/market-reports/artificial-intelligence- healthcare-market-54679303.html (accessed 30 March 2025).

3. Naidoo S, Bottomley D, Naidoo M, Donnelly D, Thaldar D. Artificial intelligence in healthcare: Proposals for policy development in South Africa. S Afr J Bioethics Law 2022;15(1):11-16. https://doi. org/10.7196/SAJBL.2022.v15i1.797

4. Ayaad O, Alloubani A, ALhajaa EA, et al. The role of electronic medical records in improving the quality of health care services: Comparative study. Int J Med Informatics 2019;127:63-67. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2019.04.014

5. Hanna MG, Pantanowitz L, Jackson B, et al. Ethical and bias considerations in artificial intelligence/ machine learning. Mod Pathol 2025;38(3):100686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100686.

6. Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. South Africa’s artificial intelligence (AI)

planning. https://www.dcdt.gov.za/images/phocadownload/AI_Government_Summit/National_AI_

Government_Summit_Discussion_Document.pdf (accessed 30 March 2025).

7. Think Global Health. South Africa’s medical negligence crisis. 2024. https://www.thinkglobalhealth.

org/article/south-africas-medical-negligence-crisis (accessed 30 March 2025).

8. TRENDS Research & Advisory. China’s AI strategy: A case study in innovation and global ambition. https://trendsresearch.org/insight/chinas-ai-strategy-a-case-study-in-innovation-and-global-

ambition/ (accessed 30 Mar 2025).

Downloads

Published

2025-05-30

How to Cite

1.
Janneker W. The role of AI in transforming healthcare in South Africa. S Afr Med J [Internet]. 2025 May 30 [cited 2025 Oct. 29];115(5b):e3672. Available from: https://www.samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/3672