HealthChat

Code-to-Care: the AI Files | Episode 4 - Beyond the Algorithm: How AI Is Transforming Healthcare Access in Africa

This week, as part of our Code to Care series on artificial intelligence in medicine, we’re exploring a critical question: Can AI help close the healthcare access gap in Africa — and if so, how?
To unpack this, we’re joined by Dr Ernest Darkoh, co-founder of Vantage Health Technologies and a long-standing advocate for digital innovation in public health.
From tackling HIV, TB, and COVID-19 to developing real-time data systems and predictive tools for frontline clinicians, Vantage Health is showing that AI can be more than just a buzzword — it can be a powerful driver of equity, efficiency, and smarter care.
In this episode, we explore how AI is strengthening clinical decision-making and improving patient follow-up in real-world contexts. We examine what value-based care looks like in resource-constrained settings, and why human-centred design is critical in building trust and driving adoption.
 
We also discuss how local innovation is reshaping African health systems from the ground up — and where AI-driven healthcare might be headed next.
Join us for this important conversation, and let’s turn Code to Care.

Code to Care: The AI Files | Episode 2 - Cybersecurity Special - Digital Defence in Healthcare

In this episode of Code to Care, we shift gears from clinical AI to one of the most urgent conversations in healthcare today: cybersecurity.
As digital tools become more embedded in everyday practice—from electronic records to AI-powered platforms—so too do the risks. Data breaches, ransomware attacks, and phishing schemes are no longer rare events—they're everyday threats in a sector that can least afford them.
To help us navigate this complex landscape, Kevin Hogan, Head of Fraud Risk at Investec, joins us. With deep insight into digital fraud, risk strategy, and real-world defence mechanisms, Kevin unpacks how healthcare professionals can better protect themselves, their patients, and their organisations in an increasingly hostile cyber environment.
From simple safeguards to high-stakes system resilience, this episode will leave you better informed, better equipped, and hopefully — just a little more secure.
Let’s get smart. Let’s stay safe. Let’s turn Code to Care.

Code to Care: The AI Files | Episode 1 - AI Scribes Changing the Game In Medicine

In the first episode of our Autumn Series – Code to Care – we explore one of the most talked-about shifts in modern clinical practice: AI-powered medical scribes. These intelligent assistants are transforming more than just note-taking — they’re redefining the doctor-patient dynamic itself.
Once seen as mere transcription tools, today’s AI scribes are evolving into context-aware companions, capable of summarizing clinical encounters in real time, flagging diagnostic cues, suggesting billing codes, and even helping reduce physician burnout by restoring eye contact and empathy in the consultation room.
Joining me is Dr. Kieran McLeod, a South African-trained medical doctor who is now the Head of Medical Knowledge at Heidi Health,  an ambient AI-Medical Scribe platform based in Melbourne.
We unpack the technology behind AI scribes, what it means for data privacy and patient trust, and the ethical questions it raises. And of course, we ask the big one: what’s next for AI in clinical settings?
Whether you're a clinician, technologist, or just curious about the future of healthcare, this conversation is packed with insight. 
 
Practitioner Resources
Heidi Health
 

Healthchat | Rare but Real: The Alagille Syndrome Story

Welcome to HealthChat on this special edition for Rare Diseases Day 2025. Today, we're shining a light on rare paediatric liver diseases, a group of conditions that often go unrecognised and misdiagnosed.
One such disease is Alagille Syndrome (ALGS)—a complex and often misunderstood disorder affecting the liver, heart, and other systems. To help us unpack the challenges of diagnosing and managing ALGS, we’re joined by Dr Marisca Baretta, a Paediatric Hepatologist at Wits University’s Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
Dr Baretta will walk us through why ALGS is frequently overlooked, how it impacts young patients, and what can be done to improve early detection and care.
Stay with us as we explore the realities of rare liver diseases and what they mean for patients, families, and healthcare providers.
 
Practitioner Resources:
Paediatric Liver & Transplant Services South Africa 
Childhood Liver Disease
American Liver Foundation
 
Accreditation Information:
This activity is for healthcare practitioners in South and sub-Saharan African.
You can find more information & the accredited questionnaire here.

HealthChat | This Week We Talk CPD Compliance With Lisa Reid from SAMA

In December 2024, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) updated its Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines, introducing new accreditation requirements.
To shed light on these changes and their implications for healthcare practitioners, we spoke with Lisa Reid, CPD Accreditation Officer at the South African Medical Association (SAMA).  
If you have questions about staying compliant, this podcast is for you.
Remember, to maintain your registration, ensure your CPD status is current by 31 March 2025. For assistance, you can contact Lisa and her team at SAMA - www.samedical.org - or on the general SAMA telephone number.

HealthChat | Shaping the Narrative: Impartiality and Truth-telling in Healthcare Journalism

In an era of intense scrutiny, where healthcare and clinical publications face immense pressure to cut costs and cater to social media, we ask: is unbiased reporting still feasible? What challenges do journalists encounter, and does impartiality in reporting on public healthcare issues help or harm?
Join us as we unpack these questions and more with our guest, Mia Malan, Editor-in-Chief of the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. It’s a fascinating discussion you won’t want to miss.