In a bid to improve access to diagnostic services, especially in underserved communities, Dobic Health has launched an AI-powered tool designed to help individuals identify symptoms, receive preliminary diagnoses, and get recommended tests.

The innovation, known as DiagnoCare AI, aims to bridge gaps in healthcare access by providing immediate, user-friendly guidance for people who may not have ready access to medical professionals.

Speaking at the launch, the Head of Research and Evaluation at Dobic Health, Oluwaseun Odunsi, explained that the AI system enables users to select symptoms from a menu, after which it suggests possible issues and appropriate diagnostic tests. He said the tool was developed to support individuals in making quick and informed health decisions, particularly in communities where healthcare infrastructure is weak or unavailable.

Odunsi stated that the tool can serve as a lifeline in critical moments when access to care is limited.

Chief Executive Officer of Dobic Health, Dr Abiodun Adereni, emphasised that the AI tool does not provide medical treatment or therapeutic advice.

He noted that while the system recommends diagnostic tests based on symptoms inputted by users, it does not replace the expertise of licensed healthcare professionals. “At the end of the process, we remind users that this is not a substitute for professional medical advice,” Adereni said.

He added that the platform’s aim is to guide users toward making quicker and better-informed healthcare decisions. The DiagnoCare AI tool is currently available to the public via the company’s official website.

In addition to launching the AI service, Dobic Health has expanded its physical healthcare infrastructure by establishing a new facility that includes a blood bank and a histopathology centre in Lagos.

The expansion aims to improve timely access to blood and enhance diagnostic capabilities for patients in the area. It is designed to strengthen the supply of safe blood products to hospitals, clinics, dialysis centres, and primary healthcare providers across Lagos State.

Senior Legal Associate at Dobic Health, Aduware Osemwegie, explained that despite the presence of numerous hospitals, there were few accessible sources for blood, prompting the decision to establish a licensed blood bank.

“We saw the need to expand. We noticed a gap—there are many hospitals in this area, but few places to actually get blood and so decided to establish a blood bank to meet that need,” she said.

According to Osemwegie, the blood bank is certified by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC), which screens and approves all blood before distribution. She said all donors are required to undergo a counselling session and rigorous health screenings before they can donate.

Osemwegie said that during a recent inspection by LSBTC, the facility received a score above 80 per cent, a rating she described as uncommon and reflective of the centre’s quality standards.

She reiterated that blood would only be released after LSBTC screening and approval. In terms of donation, Osemwegie clarified that Dobic Health promotes voluntary donation and provides only small incentives as tokens of appreciation, not financial rewards.

Currently, the blood bank handles only whole blood, but Osemwegie disclosed that there are plans to expand into processing blood components such as plasma and cells soon.

She explained that the facility will cater to both walk-in patients and partner with hospitals and other healthcare centres across Lagos.

While the final pricing for blood units is still under consideration, she noted the cost would be kept affordable.

On the histopathology centre, Osemwegie explained that it was established to fill another critical healthcare gap; diagnosis of disease tissues, including cancer detection. She noted that the centre performs tissue preparation, and microscopic examinations, and collaborates with consultants to deliver comprehensive diagnostic reports to patients.

With these expansions, both digital and physical, Dobic Health said it aims to strengthen the delivery of quality healthcare and offer innovative solutions that make essential health services more accessible across Lagos State.