Accra, Ghana – Friday, August 29, 2025 – The Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) welcomed Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, to its Accra headquarters on Thursday, August 28, for an engagement that opened fresh discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) and its growing role in transforming healthcare across Africa.
The visit, marked by presentations, live demonstrations, and candid dialogue, underscored the shared vision between HCOWAA and the Sierra Leone High Commission to harness technology for advancing medical innovation, closing healthcare gaps, and building stronger systems for the future.
High Commissioner Kaisamba and his delegation were received by HCOWAA President, Madam Sihong Jiang, who warmly welcomed the envoy and introduced the association’s vision. She explained that HCOWAA is committed to exploring practical ways in which artificial intelligence can simplify processes in the health sector, reduce human error, and make healthcare more accessible—particularly in resource-constrained regions like parts of West Africa.
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept; it is already reshaping healthcare globally,” Madam Jiang noted, highlighting the importance of partnerships that ensure Africa is not left behind in the digital transformation of medicine.
The engagement featured detailed presentations from the HCOWAA technical team, outlining the association’s key achievements over the years. Representatives from Shanghai Medconn and ChanyuTech, two of HCOWAA’s partner companies, showcased their contributions to AI-driven healthcare solutions.
Central to the event was a live demonstration of an AI Health Management Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) device, which is designed to assess patient health conditions and recommend treatment options. The technology, according to its developers, integrates centuries-old TCM diagnostic methods with modern AI algorithms, allowing for precision in health assessments and improved care outcomes.
The demonstration illustrated how AI systems can analyze health indicators in real-time, provide accurate diagnostic insights, and generate treatment recommendations that are both efficient and tailored to individual needs.
Responding to the presentations, High Commissioner Kaisamba expressed strong optimism about the role such innovations could play in improving Sierra Leone’s healthcare sector. He explained that his interest in AI solutions had been reinforced during his participation in the recently concluded 2025 China–West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo & AI Diagnosis and Project Cooperation Summit, also held in Accra.
“I am greatly encouraged by what I have seen here and at the Expo,” he said. “I am a firm believer in Artificial Intelligence, and I believe its application in healthcare can bring transformational results for Sierra Leone.”
He emphasized that Sierra Leone continues to face persistent challenges in its healthcare delivery, including insufficient manpower, gaps in diagnosis, and limited access to timely care. In his view, AI technologies could play a pivotal role in filling these gaps, supporting medical professionals, and enhancing efficiency.
“AI innovations can significantly augment diagnosis, support care delivery, and improve proficiency in the distribution of healthcare services. Such partnerships will not only improve systems but will also align with the broader regional agenda of advancing medical innovation through AI,” he stressed.
The High Commissioner also conveyed his readiness to facilitate dialogue between HCOWAA and Sierra Leone’s relevant ministries and health institutions to explore concrete avenues of collaboration. He encouraged the association to consider pilot projects in Sierra Leone that could demonstrate AI’s practical benefits while strengthening capacity among local healthcare workers.
Madam Jiang and her team welcomed the proposal, noting that HCOWAA remains committed to building long-term partnerships that prioritize sustainability, knowledge transfer, and localized solutions tailored to the specific needs of African countries.
The visit concluded with a reaffirmation of mutual interest in collaboration. Participants agreed that future engagements would focus on identifying areas where AI-driven solutions could be integrated into Sierra Leone’s healthcare framework, ranging from diagnostics and patient management systems to data-driven treatment planning.
By combining the innovation of HCOWAA’s technology partners with Sierra Leone’s national priorities, both parties expressed hope that practical steps would soon be taken to test and implement AI systems in ways that directly benefit communities on the ground.
As the meeting ended, the atmosphere reflected optimism and a sense of shared purpose. Both HCOWAA and the High Commissioner’s delegation acknowledged that the global healthcare landscape is changing rapidly, and Sierra Leone must position itself to embrace these changes.
High Commissioner Kaisamba’s visit to HCOWAA thus marked more than a courtesy call—it was an opportunity to explore how partnerships rooted in innovation can strengthen healthcare systems, empower professionals, and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
For Sierra Leone, the dialogue represented a step toward aligning its healthcare development with the realities of the 21st century, ensuring that technology is not just imported but adapted in ways that respond to local needs.
✍️ Princetta Williams
Information Attaché
SLHC Accra
