HealthTechAsia background

Like all good stories, this one is personal.

I’m not one to visit the doctor frequently. However, a few years ago, I made an appointment to see a doctor in Dubai regarding a persistent sinus complaint. After the somewhat unusual experience of having a camera inserted up my nose, the consultant recommended an MRI.

So, off I went to the medical imaging department, where I found myself lying flat in a modern-day sarcophagus, reminiscent of a scene from a sci-fi movie. After enduring various random noises, I was handed a CD-ROM by the radiologist, containing images of my brain.

A CD-ROM! The last time these shiny discs were in vogue, MC Hammer was captivating the public with his snazzy dance moves.

Luckily, I had an old MacBook Pro with a CD drive. However, the software on the CD-ROM was only compatible with Windows. So, I transferred the contents of the disc to a USB drive and inserted it into a Windows laptop I had on hand.

As I gazed at the scans of my brain, my thoughts raced. I was looking at the organ that stored all of my memories and emotions. It was a strange, fascinating, and somewhat terrifying experience.

Two anxious days later, I sat alongside a neurologist as he launched the program on his computer to review the scans. There was a moment that felt like an eternity, as I watched him scrutinise the screen, pondering his thoughts.

At that moment, I realized that something was missing—another perspective, an independent voice that could offer insights. What if there were artificial intelligence that could suggest, ‘This doesn’t look quite right’ or ‘You might want to take a closer look here’?

I continued to sit in silence, and then we engaged in a conversation (thankfully, everything was fine).

To be clear, I never doubted the neurologist’s expertise. I hold the utmost respect for their knowledge and skills. However, I believed that AI could enhance their ability to identify areas warranting further attention.

I came to understand that AI in healthcare isn’t merely a ‘nice-to-have.’ It’s a necessity that would greatly benefit both patients and physicians.

There’s a growing need for technological advancements. Outdated technologies like CD-ROMs should be relegated to the past.

It was at this point that I dedicated myself to assisting organisations in their pursuit of advancing healthcare through innovation, leveraging my storytelling skills.

Thankfully, as a healthcare journalist, I was already contributing to the acceleration of change in healthcare, albeit in a small way. But I aspired to do more. I aimed to use my experiences, talents, and global connections to support healthcare organisations in their technological advancements.

And so, the seeds for this project were sown.