Sudan’s health system is under severe strain after an almost two‑year civil war. The World Health Organization has warned of shortages of medical supplies, a loss of doctors, and damaged or looted facilities. Al‑Moghirah Al‑Amin Gad Al‑Sayed, director of the department of therapeutic medicine at the Federal Ministry of Health, says the country is turning to artificial intelligence to help provide care where traditional services no longer reach.
Al‑Sayed gave the example of using AI to examine an x‑ray when no doctor is available. The system can match a patient’s image against thousands of stored images and suggest a diagnosis. He said many studies show high diagnostic accuracy because AI systems are informed by large datasets and human clinical experience.
He warned that migration and attacks have reduced staff, and that 50 medical staff were killed in attacks on health centres by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The lack of staff and supplies is also increasing antimicrobial resistance because people use antibiotics indiscriminately. Al‑Sayed said AI can help fill gaps, but more health workers, medicines and devices are urgently needed, and new ways to deliver vaccinations should be used in broken areas.
Difficult words
- shortage — not enough of something neededshortages
- loot — take goods illegally during conflictlooted
- artificial intelligence — computer systems that perform intelligent tasks
- diagnosis — identifying a disease or medical problem
- dataset — collection of related information or datadatasets
- migration — movement of people from one place
- antimicrobial resistance — bacteria becoming less affected by medicines
- indiscriminately — without careful choice or proper control
- vaccination — a medicine given to prevent a diseasevaccinations
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think artificial intelligence can safely help diagnose patients where there are no doctors? Why or why not?
- What practical steps could help deliver vaccinations in broken or unsafe areas?
- How can communities reduce the careless use of antibiotics to slow antimicrobial resistance?
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