In a world where technology advances rapidly, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have become key areas of knowledge in the fight for more efficient and precise medical care.
These innovations are transforming the way health challenges are addressed, enabling advances in the identification and treatment of diseases such as cancer, and even in the promotion of public health.
According to Olga Lucía Sarmiento, director of research at the Faculty of Medicine, to adequately address health challenges in Latin Americaexacerbated by climate change, such as heat waves, droughts and storms, which directly impact people’s health, it is crucial to have local and contextualized data.
The Urban Health in Latin America (SALURBAL) project has played a key role in collecting region-specific data. With a presence in 12 countries and more than 470 cities, the initiative, of which Dr. Sarmiento is a co-investigator, has gathered information related to health and the environment.
Relevant data from the study indicate, for example, that 6% of deaths in Latin America are associated with extreme temperatures. Another finding of utmost importance for pediatricians and gynecologists is that it has been shown that an increase in temperature during gestation can lead to a lower weight of babies at birth, information that contributes significantly to prevention and health promotion.
“The only way to have studied all these cities is with statistical data, and at an environmental level we needed satellite data. To process this information quickly and efficiently, we have resorted to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning methods,” highlighted Dr. Sarmiento during the Health Forum: Re-Thinking the Health of the Future, held at the University of the Andes.
During the event, Mauricio Lizcano, Minister of Information and Communications Technologies, detailed sections of the National Government’s Development Plan, among which are: territorial planning around water, regional convergence, productive transformation, internationalization and climate action, as well as human security, social justice and the right to food.
“Based on these pillars, we have designed four major strategies. One of them is research. “We are working closely with the Ministry of Sciences to promote and encourage everything related to research, both in linear terms and in the field of health,” said the minister. According to Lizcano, a committee of experts is being formed made up of doctors with international experience in Artificial Intelligence and two large research centers are being built in Bogotá, with the advice of the Universidad de los Andes.
On the other hand, the Government presented a draft Data Law as a basis to position Colombia as a hub of Artificial Intelligence. According to the minister, a solid data culture is not rooted in Colombia, and without adequate data, AI cannot advance. “We are going to encourage and require State entities to produce anonymous data, which can be used for the development of AI.”
“We want the health and medical sector to quickly and robustly adopt artificial intelligence. “This will provide us with benefits such as more informed care, reduction of errors, greater efficiency and acceleration of processes,”
Mauricio Lizcano, Minister of Information and Communications Technologies.
At the same event, David Bigio, director of the Los Andes Department of Biomedical Engineering, recognized the potential of Artificial Intelligence as an ally to improve the analysis and diagnosis of diseases. “Although AI will not replace doctors, it can significantly contribute to optimizing certain processes in the healthcare field,” he noted.
He Health Forum: Re-Thinking Future Health It had the participation of prominent experts: Natalia Mejía, dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Olga Lucía Sarmiento, director of Research at the Faculty of Medicine; David Bigio, director of the Department of Biomedical Engineering; Salomé Valencia, director of the District Center for Health Education and Research of the mayor’s office of Bogotá; and Mauricio Lizcano, Minister of Information and Communications Technologies.
The event was moderated by Germán Casas, director of the Graduate School of the Faculty of Medicine, and was carried out in a partnership between the Universidad de los Andes and Pulzo.
Relive the Health Forum: Re-Thinking Future Health:
