AI-powered endoscopy innovations for global health equityAI-powered endoscopy innovations for global health equity

With health taking centre stage at COP28, it is time to consider harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve healthcare for the population while maintaining our commitment to global health. AI has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes, expedite processes and increase diagnostic accuracy in the healthcare industry. Every area of endoscopy has potential applications to enhance early cancer screening and detection. The Middle East's healthcare systems are changing fast, and the industry has seen a rise in the application of AI in endoscopy. Nations, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are well-positioned to lead on AI-based endoscopic solutions due to their expanding healthcare industries and emphasis on incorporating cutting-edge technology.

AI has a lot of potential advantages, including improved lesion characterisation, faster picture interpretation and enhanced identification of tiny lesions while lowering the possibility of human mistakes. A good example where AI has a big difference is colon cancer, which is the second most prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths both globally and in the Middle East.

Colon polyps, which are tiny growths of extra tissue that form on the lining of the colon, are the precursors of colon cancer. Colonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the lining of the large bowel and is the gold standard for early detection of colon polyps to prevent further progression into colon cancer. Not every polyp will develop into cancer, and they may be safely removed during a colonoscopy as a precaution, but identifying these polyps is essential for early diagnosis and improved survival rates.

Related: How artificial intelligence is driving the future of endoscopy

An AI-assisted colonoscopy helps improve the identification of polyps in real-time computer-aided endoscopy. This can potentially be utilised for a resect and discard approach, as it can characterise tiny polyps and identify benign ones that can be removed and discarded. In addition to being more environmentally friendly, this might save money and resources. AI-assisted endoscopy has also been used in small bowel cancer screening and early diagnosis of stomach and oesophageal cancers. AI-driven picture recognition systems can further identify endoscopic image abnormalities with exceptional accuracy. For instance, software that can identify polyps, lesions, or inflammatory indicators can help medical practitioners diagnose patients more accurately and quickly.

During COP28 in Dubai, the World Health Organisation and the COP28 Presidency teamed up for the first time to declare the first-ever World Health Day along with the "COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health", recognising that governments must safeguard populations and prepare healthcare systems to address the health effects of climate change. Developing nations frequently struggle with a lack of infrastructure, a scarcity of skilled medical personnel and limited finances. Healthcare inequities are exacerbated by these obstacles, particularly in diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy. Furthermore, in many developing nations, access to sophisticated diagnostic instruments is a significant obstacle to rapid diagnosis.

While industrialised nations have adopted these AI advances with open arms, obtaining and utilising such cutting-edge technologies may create hurdles in developing countries. The application of AI in endoscopy may widen the gap between wealthy and developing nations, countries with limited resources, such as those without access to qualified medical personnel and specialised equipment, would find AI-based endoscopic solutions very helpful.

Medical professional training is one possible use for AI-based endoscopic solutions in low-resource environments. Even without specialised training or equipment, AI algorithms may be utilised to teach doctors to recognise and diagnose gastrointestinal disorders. This may be especially helpful in places with limited access to specialised training and equipment.

AI-based endoscopy solutions may increase the effectiveness of endoscopic treatments. AI algorithms can potentially optimise endoscopic processes by automating tasks like image processing and interpretation, saving time and costs. Even in environments with limited resources, this may improve the number of patients who can receive endoscopic treatment. By helping local healthcare practitioners recognise early indicators of cancer, the tool will improve patient outcomes by enabling prompt therapies.

Related: Connecting world health organisations, systems and patients

The potential to save healthcare expenses may outweigh the price of AI-based endoscopic treatments despite their often substantial cost. AI integration can potentially lower the overall cost of endoscopic treatments by maximising the use of available resources, reducing needless interventions, and expediting the diagnostic process. AI-based endoscopy solutions may assist in lowering overall healthcare costs while enhancing patient outcomes by decreasing the number of missed lesions and unnecessary procedures.

The use of AI-assisted endoscopy might make healthcare more accessible. AI in endoscopy creates opportunities for remote diagnostics and telemedicine, allowing medical experts to bring their expertise to underserved areas. This makes consultations easier to conduct in real time, increasing the precision of diagnoses and influencing treatment choices. This may significantly affect regions with limited access to specialised medical care.

Infrastructural issues in developing countries such as inadequate internet access and outdated healthcare facilities may hamper the successful application of new technologies such as AI. To guarantee a smooth integration, these infrastructural deficiencies must be addressed before implementing AI in endoscopy. Additionally, medical personnel must be trained to use these technologies efficiently to implement AI in endoscopy successfully. Medical staff members should have good degrees of technical knowledge, and this should be accommodated in training programmes.

Together, these obstacles can be addressed through successful partnerships. Governments, non-profits, and commercial companies must work together to get funds, exchange knowledge, and make it easier for AI-driven endoscopic solutions to be implemented in underdeveloped nations.

The COP28 summit in Dubai is the start of a new era of global health equity. The use of AI in endoscopy offers excellent potential for levelling up the playing field in global health as we approach a new chapter in healthcare history. The real-world data show how AI may improve accessibility, lower prices and improve diagnosis. With team effort, we can use AI to overcome obstacles and enter a new era of universal healthcare equity by addressing issues and implementing deliberate tactics.

Professor Laith Al-Rubaiy is the Consultant Gastroenterologist and Endoscopist at Healthpoint Hospital, M42 in Abu Dhabi. He will be speaking at the Diabetes conference at Arab Health 2024.

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