A renowned American physician and researcher, Dr. Matthew Heckman, has urged African leaders to leverage technology in research for qualitative healthcare delivery.

Heckman disclosed this while speaking at a Public Lecture organised by Chrisland University in Abeokuta, the state capital, titled “Epistemic Balance: A Perspective from Circadian Biology and Modern Medicine.” Heckman stated that African leaders had invested significantly in the continent’s health sectors but needed to do more.

He explained that the treatment of cancer is not fully optimal, adding that more research cannot be conducted to develop standard therapeutics.

“‘Most African leaders are doing what they can, but they still have to come along and assist; they have to give access to technology, give access to therapeutics and also give access to more people to work and research together,” he said.

The physician and researcher added that Africans should prioritise access to technology, therapeutics and more medical research to improve their health outcomes.

“These are things that need more research, more understanding to be able to develop normal therapeutics, because frankly, the way we treat cancer right now is not optimal.

“We still need to take other things into account, and we’re hoping that time may be one of them that makes the difference for somebody somewhere.

“We have so much to do in terms of research, it took 300 years to get to where we are right now, I hope it doesn’t take 300 years to be able to positively affect human experience. I don’t know what the future holds; we’re just trying to make a difference,” he said.

He noted that the circadian clock has a rhythmic cycle that regulates internal biological processes every 24 hours.

He reiterated that healthy living helps to entrain one’s circadian clock, but while it promotes health, people should also take healthy living seriously.

“Healthy living actually entrains your circadian clock; getting enough sleep, going to bed on time, getting up early, eating healthy meals and all of the things doctors tell you to do; they entrain your circadian clock to make you feel better.

“While we can use the circadian clock to make people healthier, you can also do that yourself; your health is in your own hands as well; it’s not just what doctors and medical researchers can do for you,” he said.

Heckman is a renowned physician and researcher whose work has significantly contributed to the field of Biomedical Engineering and Healthcare.

He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Rochester, which he completed in 2009.

Also speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oyedunni Sola-Arulogun, explained that the lecture is a timely and profound discourse that spans science, philosophy, and medicine.

She added that epistemic balance is a reminder that knowledge is not a monologue, but rather a symphony.

“As a university, we do not merely teach facts; we interrogate frameworks. We do not simply train professionals; we cultivate thinkers who ask, ‘How can diverse systems of knowledge inform better health and better lives?’

“And in this symphony, circadian biology, our body’s ancient rhythm and modern medicine, our most sophisticated interventions, must learn to play in harmony,” she said.