THE GLOBAL SOUTH E-HEALTH OBSERVATORY « Bridging the Healthcare Gap: the Role of AI in LMICs » 28th of September 2023.

Aziz Ayed joined MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Lab and Jameel Clinic in 2021, working on early cancer detection using imaging algorithms, on optimising organ transplants and analysing genetic data. He has created ready-to-use software for healthcare professionals and has contributed to the global deployment of early cancer detection methods in many medical centres around the world.

Ciku Mathenge is professor and consultant in ophthalmology specialising in medical retina, and co-founder of the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO). She is medical advisor for Africa at Orbis International and sits on various expert boards in ophthalmology. She has contributed to WHO technical committees for the development of the primary eye care programme in Africa. She has received several awards and became President of the African Council of Ophthalmology in January 2023

Paisan Ruamviboonsuk is Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Rangsit University in Bangkok, Thailand. He is recognised for his work in the field of diabetic retinopathy screening and received the World Health Organization’s Sasakawa Health Award in 2022 for his efforts in preventing diabetic blindness in Thailand. He currently holds various positions in ophthalmology societies in the Asia-Pacific region. Pr. Paisan has received many national and international awards, including the Chainat-Narenthorn Award and the Arthur Lim Award from the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology

Alexander Navarini is professor and chairs the Department of Dermatology at Basel University Hospital since 2018. His areas of research include visual quantification of skin diseases, immunology, next-generation genetics, and gene research. He has published over 230 peer-reviewed articles. In addition, he is currently the Principal Investigator of the International Rare and Severe Psoriasis Network (ERASPEN) for pustular psoriasis and the Swiss Psoriasis Registry.

Peggy Bui, a Google Product Manager, oversees teams using machine learning to improve healthcare outcomes. With a background in global health, she has focused on innovative care models for high-risk populations. Her work includes developing accessible healthcare technologies such as app-based hearing aids, cost-effective heart valves, and machine learning models for ophthalmology and dermatology. Peggy graduated with honours from Harvard, holds both an MD and MBA from the University of California, and completed an Internal Medicine residency at UCSF, where she continues to practice medicine and mentor trainees.

Nada Malou, PhD and specialist in microbiology and infectious diseases, has dedicated 12 years of her career to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). She worked in the field to setup microbiology laboratories in different African countries, and then joined MSF’s medical department as an advisor in microbiology and antibiotic resistance. In 2018, she launched a mobile app to interpret AST tests in the absence of microbiologists, and currently runs the program as well as being the project’s scientific lead

Mehdi Snène, PhD, is an expert in science and technology, particularly digital health, artificial intelligence, neuroscience and quantum computing. He founded and directed the brain health research laboratory at the University of Geneva. His work focused on improving quality of life and end-of-life care for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. He subsequently coordinated the Human Brain project at EPFL and held senior positions at I-DAIR, overseeing international research projects in partnership with several organisations. He is the current Chief AI Officer at I-DAIR.

Fazilah Shaik Allaudin is the Director of Health for the State of Penang in Malaysia, with over 25 years’ experience in the Ministry of Health. She represents Malaysia on national and international platforms such as ASEAN and WHO. Her skills extend to healthcare project management, COVID-19 infection control and leading digital healthcare initiatives. She holds an MD in medicine from the National University of Malaysia, as well as an MBA in Healthcare Administration from the University of Toledo, Ohio. She is also certified in Enterprise Architecture (TOGAF 9.0) and Enterprise IT Governance and Management (COBIT 5.0).

Dr. Anne-Cécile Zoung-Kanyi Bissek is Professor of Dermato Venereology at the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. She has an extensive research record, contributing to around 60 scientific publications covering sexually transmitted infections. She has also held leadership roles, including the past Presidency of the Cameroon Society of Dermatology (SOCADERM) and membership at the Association of Francophone Dermatologists (ADF). She currently holds the position of Head of Division of Operational Research in Health at the Ministry of Public Health in Cameroon and coordinates the National Agency for Research on HIV (ANRS) site for the southern region.

Alain Labrique is director of the Department of Digital Health and Innovation at the World Health Organization. He is recognised for his research on maternal, newborn and child health in resource-limited settings. He was honoured as one of the top 11 innovators in mHealth in 2011, and received the Excellence in International Public Health Practice Award and Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2018. In addition to his work at the WHO as an expert in digital health, Pr Labrique has advised several international health organisations and chaired the WHO guideline development group on digital health.