Shifting the Paradigm: From Reactive Care to AI-Driven Predictive Prevention
The healthcare landscape is changing. As NCDs like diabetes become more prevalent, the traditional model of “Reactive Care”—treating a patient only after they fall ill—is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. The seminar highlighted how AI technology serves as the primary engine for shifting to “Predictive Prevention,” where health risks are identified and managed before complications arise.
Strategic Objectives of the Workshop
The collaboration between Cambodia and South Korea aims to explore the feasibility of several innovative diagnostic and management tools:
- AI-Enhanced Diagnostics: Utilizing AI algorithms to analyze clinical data and diagnostic tests with higher accuracy than traditional methods.
- Early Complication Detection: Identifying early warning signs of diabetes-related consequences, such as diabetic retinopathy (eye disease) and nerve damage, which are major causes of disability.
- Digital Psychology: Combining AI with behavioral insights to help patients manage their own health through personalized digital counseling and tracking.
Expert Insights on the Cambodian Context
The seminar featured a detailed presentation by Professor Nuy Sum Satha, President of the Association of Diabetes Technology and Cambodian Society. His lecture shed light on:
- The Current State of Diabetes: Mapping the challenges of diabetes care across Cambodia’s provinces.
- The Threat of Eye Disease: Explaining how diabetes leads to vision loss and how AI-powered retinal scans can provide a scalable solution for early screening in rural areas.
- Global Partnerships: Discussions involved leadership from the Department of Health Sciences, National Hospital, and various international development partners, ensuring the project aligns with the Ministry of Health’s digital health strategy.