Prioritising people in healthcare tech

We’ve been told that digital health innovation would usher in a new era of equity, with AI and remote monitoring bridging gaps in access. However, the data reveals a disconcerting truth: these very technologies, intended to be equalisers, are often widening the disparities they were meant to close. It’s a sobering realisation that the solutions we invest in may be inadvertently leaving the most vulnerable further behind.

“We need to be strategic about how we approach digital health and ensure it helps everyone, not only a privileged few, especially in our African context.”

They told us tech would level the playing field. But the numbers don’t lie. Despite huge investments, the people who need them most are still being left behind. Some of these tools, instead of helping, may be making the existing problems worse. It’s a hard truth, especially for us here in Africa, where access is already a huge challenge.

We should break down these figures, because they tell a story that’s deeply relevant to us as African business leaders. First, the pulse oximeters are supposed to measure how much oxygen is in your blood. But studies show they don’t work as well on people with darker skin. During COVID, when oxygen levels were critical, it meant people weren’t getting the care they needed. Imagine if that happened here, where we have such diverse populations. It’s a clear example of how technology, if not properly tested, can harm us.

Then there’s the AI problem. In the US, an algorithm that decides who gets a kidney transplant puts Black patients lower on the list, even when they were equally sick. This shows how built-in biases in technology can make existing inequalities even worse. We need to be wary of importing these technologies without understanding how they will affect our own populations.

The digital divide is a major global issue. Even in seemingly well-connected regions, a significant portion of the population lacks adequate internet access. Consider this in our African context, where connectivity challenges are amplified. How can we rely on digital health solutions? Telehealth, apps, and all those tools become useless if people can’t get online. This is a very real problem we face, where infrastructure is often lacking and data costs are high.

And lastly, consider the adoption of wearables and health apps. Globally, richer people are far more likely to use them. This is a problem because it means that those who already have better access to healthcare are getting even more advantages. It’s the same story with the huge investments in technology across the world. Trillions are being spent, yet health outcomes often don’t improve proportionally. This shows that simply throwing money at technology is not the solution. We need to think about how we’re using those resources and who they’re actually benefiting. These trends should be a wake-up call for us. We need to be strategic about how we approach digital health and ensure it helps everyone, not only a privileged few, especially in our African context.

Read also: Investing in health tech to transform rural healthcare in Africa

A call for systemic change

I’m not saying the tools themselves are bad. It’s how we’re using them. It’s like having a powerful 1,800 hp engine car but letting someone who doesn’t know how to drive take it out on a busy road. As I mentioned, we can’t simply throw money at apps and gadgets and expect them to fix problems that have been here for generations. We know, in Africa, that systemic issues need more than a quick tech fix. We need to be strategic, thoughtful, and fair about how we use these technologies, or we’ll just end up making things worse.

To truly change the game, we need a big shift in how we approach digital health. We must start by holding healthcare organisations accountable for developing and implementing equitable digital health solutions. Then, we have to bring everyone to the table, especially those often left out. Additionally, we need to test these tools properly and ensure they help the people who need them most. And importantly, these solutions must be affordable. These four things – accountability, diversity, fairness in research, and affordability – are the keys to making digital health work for everyone.

The nonprofit sector, with organisations like eHealth Africa (eHA), which are already championing human-centred solutions, has a critical role to play in driving this change. eHA continues to contribute significantly to addressing the root causes of health disparities, promoting the decolonisation of health research, and advocating for accountability from the tech industry. Its work in implementing and adapting technology for diverse African communities is a vital part of creating lasting, equitable solutions.

We stand at a crossroads. We can continue down the path of technological hubris, widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots. Or we can choose a path of equity, accessibility, and human dignity and ensure that the promise of digital health is realised for all. The choice is ours, and the stakes could not be higher.

About the author:

Ota Akhigbe is the Director of Partnerships and Programmes at eHealth Africa and a columnist for BusinessDay Media. Her work focuses on bridging healthcare gaps through innovative and equitable technology solutions in underserved communities.