With health taking center stage at COP28, it is time to consider harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve population health care while maintaining our commitment to health worldwide. AI has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes, speed up processes, and increase diagnostic accuracy in the healthcare industry. Each area of endoscopy has potential applications to improve early cancer screening and detection. Healthcare systems in the Middle East are evolving rapidly and the industry has seen an increase in the application of AI in endoscopy. Countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are well-positioned to take the lead in AI-based endoscopic solutions due to the expansion of their healthcare sectors and focus on integration of cutting-edge technologies.
AI has many potential benefits, including improved lesion characterization, faster image interpretation, and improved identification of tiny lesions while reducing the risk of human errors. A good example where AI is making a big difference is colon cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally and in the Middle East.
Colon polyps, which are tiny growths of extra tissue that form on the lining of the colon, are precursors to colon cancer. Colonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the lining of the large intestine and is the gold standard for early detection of colon polyps to prevent further progression to colon cancer. Not all polyps will turn into cancer and they can be safely removed during a colonoscopy as a precaution, but identifying these polyps is essential for early diagnosis and better survival rates..
Related: How artificial intelligence is shaping the future of endoscopy
An AI-assisted colonoscopy helps improve polyp identification in real-time computer-assisted endoscopy. This can potentially be used for a resection and removal approach, as it can characterize tiny polyps and identify benign polyps that can be removed and discarded. In addition to being more environmentally friendly, it could save money and resources. AI-assisted endoscopy has also been used for small intestinal cancer screening and early diagnosis of stomach and esophageal cancers. AI-based image recognition systems can further identify abnormalities in endoscopic images with exceptional accuracy. For example, software that can identify polyps, lesions, or inflammatory indicators can help doctors diagnose patients more accurately and quickly.
At COP28 in Dubai, the World Health Organization and the COP28 Presidency joined forces for the first time to declare the first-ever World Health Day and the “UAE Declaration on Climate and health of COP28”, recognizing that governments must protect populations and prepare health care. systems to address the health effects of climate change. Developing countries often face a lack of infrastructure, a shortage of qualified medical personnel and limited finances. Health care inequities are exacerbated by these barriers, particularly in diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy. Furthermore, in many developing countries, access to sophisticated diagnostic instruments poses a significant barrier to rapid diagnosis.
While industrialized countries have embraced these advances in AI with open arms, obtaining and using these cutting-edge technologies can create obstacles in developing countries. The application of AI in endoscopy could widen the gap between rich and developing countries. Countries with limited resources, such as those without access to trained medical personnel and specialized equipment, would find AI-based endoscopic solutions very useful.
Medical professional education is one possible use of AI-based endoscopic solutions in low-resource settings. Even without specialized training or equipment, AI algorithms can be used to teach doctors to recognize and diagnose gastrointestinal disorders. This can be particularly useful in places where access to specialist training and equipment is limited.
AI-based endoscopy solutions can increase the efficiency of endoscopic treatments. AI algorithms can potentially optimize endoscopic processes by automating tasks such as image processing and interpretation, saving time and costs. Even in resource-limited settings, this can improve the number of patients who can receive endoscopic treatment. By helping local healthcare professionals recognize early indicators of cancer, the tool will improve patient outcomes by enabling rapid therapies.
Related: Connecting healthcare organizations, systems and patients
The potential for savings on healthcare costs could exceed the price of AI-based endoscopic treatments, despite their often high cost. The integration of AI can potentially reduce the overall cost of endoscopic treatments by maximizing the use of available resources, reducing unnecessary interventions and accelerating the diagnostic process. AI-powered endoscopy solutions can help reduce overall healthcare costs while improving patient outcomes by decreasing the number of missed lesions and unnecessary procedures.
The use of AI-assisted endoscopy could make healthcare more accessible. AI in endoscopy creates opportunities for remote diagnosis and telemedicine, allowing medical experts to bring their expertise to underserved areas. This facilitates the conduct of consultations in real time, increasing the accuracy of diagnoses and influencing treatment choices. This could significantly affect regions with limited access to specialized medical care.
Infrastructure problems in developing countries, such as inadequate internet access and dilapidated healthcare facilities, can hinder the successful application of new technologies such as AI. To ensure smooth integration, these infrastructural deficiencies need to be addressed before implementing AI in endoscopy. Additionally, medical staff must be trained to use these technologies effectively to successfully implement AI in endoscopy. Medical staff members must have good technical knowledge, and this must be taken into account in training programs.
Together, these obstacles can be overcome through successful partnerships. Governments, non-profit organizations and commercial companies must work together to secure funding, exchange knowledge and facilitate the implementation of AI-based endoscopic solutions in underdeveloped countries.
The COP28 summit in Dubai marks the start of a new era of global health equity. The use of AI in endoscopy offers excellent potential to level the playing field in global health as we enter a new chapter in healthcare history. Real-world data shows how AI can improve accessibility, reduce prices, and improve diagnosis. Through a team effort, we can use AI to overcome obstacles and usher in a new era of universal healthcare equity by solving problems and implementing deliberate tactics.
Professor Laith Al-Rubaiy
Professor Laith Al-Rubaiy is a consultant gastroenterologist and endoscopist at Healthpoint Hospital, M42 in Abu Dhabi. He will speak at the diabetes conference at Arab Health 2024.
