Pharmacometrics Africa partnered with Stellenbosch University, Fundisa Academy for Medicines Development and other organizations to host the Digital Health Africa (DHA) 2024 conference. This event brought together a diverse group of participants, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders, to discuss the current landscape and future potential of digital health, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa. The two-day conference provided an overview of the digital health ecosystem in Africa, highlighting opportunities and challenges in leveraging these technologies to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes across the continent. Several members of Pharmacometrics Africa’s team, past fellows and students made us proud by presenting on their various areas of expertise, such as AI and maternal health.
The conference featured keynote speakers, invited talks, and panel discussions that covered a wide range of topics related to digital health in Africa. Presenters highlighted the transformative potential of digital technologies in reshaping healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes. The panel discussions delved into ethical and regulatory considerations, the challenges and opportunities of implementing telemedicine, and the role of public-private partnerships in driving innovation. Key themes that emerged included the need for increased collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, the importance of addressing ethical and data management concerns, and the potential for digital technologies to improve healthcare access and quality.