NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – Global health officials emphasized the importance of countries leading the way in utilizing artificial intelligence to combat diseases during a session at the UN General Assembly in New York. The event gathered health ministers, funders, diagnostics leaders, and public health specialists. The Global Institute for Disease Elimination, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, and the Government of Nigeria jointly hosted the discussion. The focus was on how AI can enhance disease monitoring, inform health policy, and optimize resource allocation towards critical areas.
Representing Nigeria’s health leadership, Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, delivered remarks on behalf of Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate. His message highlighted that decisions regarding the adoption of new health technologies should be controlled at the national level. Nigeria is also advancing its Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which addresses primary healthcare and domestic health financing. Attendees agreed that AI deployment should be guided by national priorities, health system capacity, and specific local needs.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the infrastructure required to broaden AI application in public health. Topics covered included data management systems, workforce training, integration within existing health systems, and sustainable financing. The latest World Health Organization malaria assessment projected 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths globally in 2024. The WHO African Region remains the most heavily affected, with Nigeria reporting the highest estimated number of malaria cases among regional countries.
Training initiatives aim to equip public health leaders with AI skills
GLIDE announced two new AI training programs targeting national program managers and public health professionals. Its GLIDE Leadership Excellence in AI for Health program is designed for senior health decision-makers and will be held in Abu Dhabi from January 17 to 22, 2027. The initial cohort will include 25 to 30 participants. The program emphasizes AI governance, decision-making in deployment, institutional readiness, and accountability rather than technical development of AI models.
Another initiative, AI for All, is a collaboration between Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and GLIDE, tailored specifically for public health professionals. This online course features four modules and requires no prior coding experience or technical background. Its curriculum covers AI fundamentals, generative AI tools, bias, privacy, accountability, and human oversight. The goal is to equip health practitioners with practical knowledge for assessing and applying AI solutions within public health organizations.
Partnerships between GLIDE and RBM formalize malaria-focused collaboration
During the New York session, GLIDE and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria also signed a letter of mutual understanding. This framework aims to connect technical expertise, AI innovation, and capacity-building initiatives with national malaria control priorities. Its main objective is to promote country-led efforts in malaria elimination and control. The partnership aligns with the World Health Organization’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, which guides global actions through 2030 to reduce malaria cases and fatalities.
Participants also explored AI’s potential role in combating malaria, polio, and neglected tropical diseases amidst tightening health and humanitarian budgets. The focus remained on strengthening surveillance, enabling more targeted interventions, and maximizing resource efficiency. The event underscored the importance of empowering national health authorities to lead decisions regarding AI implementation. The initiative launched at the UN assembly emphasizes a comprehensive approach involving training, technical support, and leadership at the country level.