A Professor of Anatomy and Consultant Reproductive Endocrinologist, Prof Oladapo Ashiru, has said the In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) success rate has surged from a modest 10 per cent during its inception in the late ‘70s and ‘80s to an astounding 75 per cent today hailing the help of digital innovation.
   
Ashiru, who is also the joint pioneer of IVF in Nigeria, hailed the transformative potential of digital technologies in healthcare and medical education being the guest lecturer at the 17th Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas Memorial Lecture held at the University of Lagos, College of Medicine, Idi-Araba.
   
Under the theme of the 61st Founders Day lecture which was ‘Transforming healthcare and medical education through digital innovations: From AI-Assisted Innovation to Edutech.’Ahiru who is also the chairman and Chief Medical Director, of Medical ART Centre, highlighted the remarkable progress that has been made in IVF success rates over the past few decades, and his prediction of a 99 per cent success rate in the next five to eight years.
   
His words, “When we started IVF in the late 70s and 80s the success rate was 10 per cent. Today the success rate for IVF is at 75 per cent and we believe that with how technology is going in the next five to eight years, we should be having a 99 per cent success rate in IVF. 
   
“We are doing automation because we have children late in life, these children are coming in late and as they come late there is difficulty at that maternal age resulting in more infertility because of the problems that come with it. I am proud to say that today, there are 160 IVF clinics in Nigeria running about 10,000 cycles per year. If we did not, take that bold step, people would not have felt encouraged to do so.”
   
Ashiru highlighted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is pivotal to this revolutionary progress, given its capability to continuously monitor and analyse patient health data, potentially revolutionising healthcare delivery.

He further elucidated, “The future of digital innovation in healthcare and medical education is incredibly promising, and it’s evident that we are already well into this transformative journey. Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of this revolution, with its potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery.
   
“AI’s ability to continuously monitor and analyze patient health data, including data from fitness trackers, provides real-time insights into individual activity levels and heart health. This data-driven approach empowers healthcare professionals to create highly personalized treatment plans, ensuring more effective and efficient care.
   
“AI’s integration into cutting-edge healthcare wearable devices marks a significant step forward. These advanced wearables gather a wealth of data, from vital signs to daily activity patterns, offering a holistic view of a patient’s health. This data not only benefits individualized treatment but also aids in early detection and prevention of health issues. In summary, AI’s role in healthcare and medical education is propelling us toward a future where data-driven insights and personalized care are the standard, promising an even brighter and healthier future for all. The future of Nigeria holds significant potential, with several key areas requiring attention and development to ensure progress and prosperity,” he noted
   
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, who doubled as the special guest and representative Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, stated that he has worked tirelessly to assess the health data architecture in Nigeria with the goal of translating various data into a critical aspect of health industrialisation.
   
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Management Services, Professor Lucian Chukwu, encouraged every member of the institution to prepare for the future.
   
Prof. David Oke, the Provost of the College, emphasized the responsibility of all college members to uphold the legacy of Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas and continue to enhance the community, making it remarkably distinct from the one the founding father inhabited nearly sixty years ago. He urged all members to strive to make the College a world-class teaching and research-intensive Medical College.