Innovative scientific research is the cornerstone for developing healthcare systems in Africa, according to participants in a scientific seminar held on Friday evening in Laayoune, as part of the sixth conference of the Moroccan Society of Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and Pain Management (E-SMAAR).
Speakers highlighted the latest technological advancements—from precision medicine, medical imaging, and predictive and preventive medicine, to oncology, blockchain technology, and artificial intelligence—as tools capable of enhancing healthcare services and improving their equity and effectiveness.
In this context, Bamba Gaye, Executive Director of the Alliance for Medical Research in Africa, emphasized the need to adapt algorithms to the African context and ensure the widespread use of digital solutions that facilitate equitable access to healthcare services. He also called for fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors to enhance innovation and support startups. Gaye reiterated the importance of ethical governance in handling health data, which includes algorithmic transparency and the protection of personal data.
For his part, Abdelhakim Snahaji, Director of the Networking Laboratory in Canada, highlighted the significant potential of blockchain technology in securing supply chains and creating unified medical records, as well as establishing reliable digital verification systems.
Meanwhile, Salah Eddine Qandili, Medical Director at the Swiss Institute for Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, called for a reevaluation of medical imaging in Africa, prioritizing accessible, cost-effective, and scalable technologies. He emphasized the vital role of African talents abroad in transferring expertise and knowledge.
Nina Maâl Ainine, Medical Director of Interventional Pulmonology in the United States, focused on the specific challenges of lung cancer in Africa, noting that risk factors extend beyond smoking to include indoor pollution, HIV, tuberculosis, and occupational hazards. She urged the launch of model projects integrating mobile imaging and artificial intelligence, along with establishing regional registries for risk factors.
Sabir Boutayeb, Director of the Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation, stressed the necessity of integrating precision medicine and providing targeted diagnostics and continuous scientific monitoring, calling for resource consolidation to accelerate development. In a related context, Mohamed Ben Ahmed, former Director of Research at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, emphasized embedding predictive and preventive medicine within African healthcare systems by incorporating specialized units for medical training, bolstering local genomic research, and raising community awareness about the importance of preventive health.
This meeting reflected a shared ambition to forge a unified African vision for research and innovation capable of fostering a more equitable, sustainable, and technologically advanced health system.
It is worth noting that the conference, held under the auspices of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, included participation from approximately 160 experts from 25 countries through more than 70 scientific sessions, serving as a leading platform that brought together a distinguished group of specialists and Moroccan and international scientific associations in the field of healthcare.
