Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare Equity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review of Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions Across Asia and Africa

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an emerging field with the potential to revolutionize the healthcare sector. Despite healthcare digitization, the problem of healthcare access inequalities still exists. For instance, in developing countries, there is often an insufficient number of skilled professionals and healthcare facilities, resulting in inadequate diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare access. Thus, the current paper examines the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare equality of the underserved population in Asia and Africa, based on a scoping review of AI-led healthcare studies and reports. The review aims to explore the possibilities of AI in transforming healthcare for the better in low-and middle-income countries and focus on how these solutions can be implemented in the context of social justice and health equity. The review follows the PRISMA-ScR guideline and includes the application of AI in diagnosis, telehealth, disease prediction and surveillance, patient monitoring, and healthcare management. The results of the research indicate that the implementation of AI in healthcare can make it more accessible and equitable by ensuring the early detection of diseases, providing access to remote healthcare, and optimizing treatment and management in both urban and low-resource settings. Nevertheless, there are several barriers to the adoption of AI in healthcare, including the lack of digital infrastructure and healthcare data and the ethical, regulatory, and technical challenges associated with the technology. Overall, the research identifies the key aspects of AI application in health care and emphasizes their importance in promoting healthcare equity in developing countries. The research contributes to the existing literature by providing a conceptual basis for addressing health disparities in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) through the lens of digital technologies. The study recommends that future interventions prioritize equitable, affordable, sustainable, and ethical healthcare through the implementation of AI technologies, algorithms, and programs.