Mental Health 2.0: Reinventing mental healthcare in Africa with artificial intelligence
Mental health is a major public health issue in Africa, as it is worldwide. The prevalence of mental disorders in the African region of the World Health Organization (WHO) was estimated at 11% in 2019. A recent study revealed that nearly 30% of adolescents in Africa reported mental distress.
However, resources to treat these mental health disorders are often limited, particularly in rural areas. Mental health professionals are also scarce, and healthcare infrastructure is often inadequate.
In the face of this situation, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a potential innovative lever to address systemic gaps. However, this transformation requires a nuanced approach, integrating ethical imperatives and local specificities.
Challenges of the healthcare system in Africa
The African mental health system faces multidimensional obstacles. With only 0.1 mental health professionals per 100,000 people in the 47 countries of the WHO African region, the continent suffers from a glaring lack of human resources in mental health. Additionally, the stigma associated with mental health disorders, sometimes perceived as "weaknesses" or curses, deters many people from seeking care in healthcare facilities. High consultation costs and the lack of universal health coverage exacerbate the exclusion of vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas.
Artificial intelligence in action: solutions adapted to African realities in mental health
There are already mental health applications that use AI to improve mental health in Africa, including:
Panda, developed in South Africa, is designed to offer mental health resources and support in a more accessible way. It provides live audio sessions, a chat service with qualified professionals, life skills training, and follow-up assessments. Recently, Panda integrated AI technology to enhance its services and plans to launch an AI-powered "digital companion" capable of conversing with users, providing treatment suggestions, and sharing information with therapists.
Zuri Health, a Kenya-based company, provides AI-supported mental health assessments that identify mental illnesses and their symptoms.
Potential benefits of artificial intelligence in mental health
AI can offer several benefits in mental health, including:
Improved diagnostic accuracy: Machine learning algorithms can analyze patient data and provide more accurate diagnoses.
Personalized treatment: AI-based mental health applications can provide personalized treatment recommendations.
Improved access to care: Mental health applications can help improve access to care, particularly in rural areas where resources are limited.
Challenges and limitations: hurdles to overcome
While AI holds promise, its widespread deployment in Africa faces a major barrier: limited access to adequate internet connectivity. Additionally, most algorithms are trained on Western data, which can potentially lead to errors in African patients. The collection and storage of health information also raise crucial issues, and the risk of hacking or abusive data commercialization must be considered in the absence of harmonized continental legislation.
What can healthcare professionals do?
Healthcare professionals need to acquire basic digital literacy to critically evaluate available tools. They should participate in developing national strategies adapted to African realities and integrating AI.
Artificial intelligence offers a unique opportunity to improve mental health care in Africa. However, its deployment must consider local challenges, such as limited internet access and the need for data adapted to African contexts. By integrating AI in an ethical manner and strengthening the capacities of healthcare professionals, Africa can transform its approach to mental health.
What are your thoughts ?
This newsletter post is written by Dr. Anifa Kalay, founder of KALKIS Health Solutions/Solutions en Santé KALKIS, a social enterprise based in Ottawa.
Its mission is to contribute to addressing health inequalities in Canada and around the world by providing educational resources for healthcare professionals and researchers , as well as consulting services in health project development and management for organizations and individuals.