Artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually revolutionizing numerous fields, and the healthcare sector is no exception. In particular, medical imaging is benefiting from the growing integration of AI, providing specialists with powerful tools to refine their diagnoses and enhance patient care.
Faster and More Accurate Diagnosis
According to Dr. Ahmed El Alami, former president of the National Federation of Radiology and Medical Imaging (FNRIM) as well as the Moroccan Society of Radiology, the use of AI in medical image analysis significantly reduces diagnosis time. By optimizing data processing, this technology enables faster results, sometimes cutting examination duration in half.
AI in Emergency Situations: An MRI in Minutes
Artificial intelligence relies on massive databases compiling medical images from around the world. These databases are continuously enriched and adapted to local specificities. In Morocco, for example, breast cancer often affects younger patients than in Europe, a particularity that AI takes into account in its analysis.
New AI-equipped medical imaging devices allow remarkable optimization of patient positioning and examination speed. An MRI that previously took 45 minutes can now be completed in 20 minutes under normal conditions, and in just 5 minutes in emergency cases.
A Tool for Assistance, Not a Replacement
Dr. El Alami emphasizes the role of AI as an assistant to radiologists rather than a replacement. This technology highlights certain elements that the doctor might overlook, but the final decision always rests with the specialist. AI thus serves as a second expert opinion, enhancing diagnosis quality without replacing human intervention.
Challenges to Overcome: Maintenance and High Costs
Despite its numerous benefits, integrating AI into medical imaging in Morocco faces several major obstacles:
- Maintenance of Equipment: Machines must be regularly serviced, often through maintenance contracts with international suppliers.
- High Cost: Equipment prices range between 8 and 18 million dirhams (MDH), limiting their adoption by smaller medical facilities.
Despite these challenges, AI continues to gradually transform the landscape of medical imaging in Morocco, offering new perspectives for more effective and precise patient care.
