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WEF 2016: How technology can transform healthcare in Africa

16 May 2016

"Health is the basic foundation for any standard of living here in Africa and around the world," moderator Hans-Paul Bürkner said during a discussion on "Transformation of Healthcare" at the 2016 World Economic Forum on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda last week.

Bürkner opened the floor to conversation between Novartis corporate responsibility global head Jürgen Brokatzky-Geiger, President of Guinea Alpha Condé, Peek Vision Foundation CEO Andrew Bastawrous, Laura Lane, president of global public affairs at UPS, and Fortis Healthcare president Daljit Singh.

They touched on:

• Using data analytics to detect pandemics
• Boosting access to primary care
• Tackling worker and financial shortages

Watch the session:

According to WEF, there is no better time than now to chart Africa's health transformation. The organisation said African economies are growing faster compared to other regions in the world, and numerous breakthroughs in research and development are enabling healthy people to maintain their status quo.

"A virtuous cycle exists between health and economic development," it said. "Better population health is an important driver of economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive and can save more."

3 ways #Africa can transform its #health systems https://t.co/972cZVdqCp #af16 pic.twitter.com/HCltw7vX5M

— World Economic Forum (@wef) May 15, 2016

How #socialmedia is shaking up healthcare @sdosemagen @LeeAase https://t.co/czA7T0Xgn9 #health pic.twitter.com/gfYQ2nNl2J

— World Economic Forum (@wef) May 8, 2016

SouthAfrica.info reporter