Homo Augumetus - The Augmented Man

Have you ever wondered what life on Earth will look like 100 years from now? Throughout human existence, curiosity has driven us to envision the future. With advancements in science and technology, we now have tools that can predict future events with increasing accuracy. One such technology shaping our world is Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The 18th century marked the birth of a new era in human evolution with the discovery of electricity, followed by the Industrial Revolution in the 19^th century.  In the 20th century, the development of computers revolutionized production processes. Since then, technological innovation has been on an upward trajectory. The 21st century brought us Artificial Intelligence (AI), which aims to automate human operations.Everyday, there are numerous daring innovations and breakthrough findings in the field of Artificial intelligence. The pace of growth is so rapid that it is becoming difficult for regulation to keep up with the proliferation of these technologies.

One area of concern regarding AI is the possibility of it replacing human jobs. Experts argue that future AI technologies may surpass human intelligence. These concerns are realistic, as AI is already beginning to automate tasks and eliminate certain jobs. However, it's important to note that while some jobs may be lost, many new jobs will be created by these technologies. This calls for humans to adapt and evolve alongside these advancements, or risk being left behind.

In this article, we will explore medical advancement in Neuroscience  to watch out for in this century.

The human brain is an incredibly complex organ, containing billions of neurons and neural connections. Despite extensive research, much remains unknown about the brain. Some researchers believe that humans only utilize a fraction of their brain capacity, but this theory remains controversial. However, recent surveys indicate a significant improvement in human IQ compared to the last century. The rapid growth of AI raises questions about whether our neural evolution can keep up with the mental capacity needed to control future AI.

Here are some notable research areas in neuroscience that have the potential to revolutionize how we live:

1. Neural Link: This research focuses on converting brain signals into electrical signals that can control gadgets and assist individuals with disabilities like quadriplegia and visual impairment. Success in this field could lead to the augmentation of the human brain, enabling synergy between the brain and computers. Potential applications include visual and auditory augmentation, language decoding directly to the brain, virtual reality gaming, and robotic limb control.

2. Memory Science: The brain is believed to be a vast data storage structure, with memories stored as complex biological signals across neurons. Researchers are working on mapping the memory network in the brain and the possibility of transforming these biological signals into digital formats for external storage. Potential applications include preserving human minds after physical death, differentiating between physical and digital death, enhancing education by downloading memories of geniuses like Einstein and Tesla, redefining prison and rehabilitation methods, virtual sex through brain pleasure modulation, neuro-hacking and neuro-protection.

3. Trans-cranial Anaesthesia (TCA): This innovative technique involves modulating brain signals using trans-cranial electrical signals instead of traditional anesthesia injections. TCA facilitates complex surgeries by isolating specific brain functions. It has the potential to revolutionize the field of anesthesiology.

4. The Artificial Brain: Although still a distant possibility, the idea of an artificial brain is not far-fetched. Achieving this would require the synergy of various technologies and innovations. However, it is unlikely to become a reality in this century.

In conclusion, the advancements in medical technologies, particularly in the field of neuroscience, hold great promise for revolutionizing our lives. While these technologies offer exciting possibilities, their ethical implications and societal impacts must be carefully considered

 

#Futuretech #Medicalinnovation #Neuroscience #AIAdvancement #HealthTech #Augumentedhuman  #Brainscience #emergingtechnologies #Scienceandtechnology  

 

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Addressing the Problem of Brain Drain in the Nigeria Health Sector

 

It is no longer news that Nigeria is losing medical doctors, alongside other healthcare personnel to the international medical market daily. More worrisome is the migration of senior cadre staff, who essentially constitute the training machinery for any country.

The National postgraduate medical college recently alerted the country to a decline in the number of applicants for its post-graduate medical exams, necessitating closing down of some exam centres. This might be the beginning of a cascade of events, which if not promptly addressed, may lead to the collapse of the country's healthcare architecture.

Contrary to the WHO recommendation of 1 doctor to 600 patients, Nigeria has about 30,000 practising medical doctors and a doctor-patient ratio of 1:5,000. This overall figure can be deceptive because states like Zamfara and Kastina have a ratio of 1 doctor to 13,000 patients; which is similar to what obtains in many states in the country.

As such, the onus rests on the government to seek out possible measures to curtail this impending crisis. Worthy of note is the fact that the government over the years has done little to avoid or address some of the factors propelling health worker migration in the country. Some of these issues include; poor working conditions, poor remuneration, incessant industrial disputes, and lack of modern healthcare infrastructure.

What are the possible options on the table?

 

1. Employment/Training Bond

It is a legal framework to ensure that healthcare personnel work for a certain period before being eligible to 'japa'. Several states especially in northern Nigeria already have this policy in place to boast healthcare personnel shortage in such states. Implementation of this policy nationally is likely to cover personnel seeking appointments in the civil service and post-graduate medical training positions. Applicability to the private sector may not be feasible considering the current employment pattern in the country. Legality and adaptability to the different layers of the country’s healthcare sector are likely roadblocks to implementation

Although, if implemented, this is likely to bring transient stability to the sector, buying the government time to roll out long-term developmental strategies. However, this is not likely to deter the migration of lower cadre staff who currently constitute over 50% of migrating health workers. The government must anticipate rigid opposition from various professional unions in the sector. As such, government sincerity to a long-term healthcare developmental plan, and possible introduction of juicy welfare packages may be needed to sail through this policy.

Implementing this policy can be counter-productive if not well executed. Wrong perception and poor acceptance may trigger panic, further worsening personnel shortage in the sector.

 

2. Special Incentives

Central to most migration is the need for better welfare conditions. Introduction of health workers support programmes, training packages, and special bonuses will go a long way to reduce health worker migration. While financial incentives are crucial components of employee motivation, results have shown that income alone is not sufficient to deter health workers' migration.

 

3. Produce more Healthcare Personnel

Nigeria produces about 3,000 doctors and 10,000 nurses yearly. At that rate, it will take the country about 100 years to meet the WHO requirement of 1 doctor to 600 patients. Aside from the migration problem, it is obvious that Nigeria has a production problem.

In the short term, producing more healthcare personnel is not likely to be a viable alternative. However, in the long term, the government needs to boost personnel production through investment in medical education across the country.

 

4. A Clear Roadmap

The National Strategic Health Development Plan II (2018-2022) was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018. The document outlined various strategies designed to improve the Nigeria health system and reduce maternal mortality. However, since its launch, Nigeria is yet to achieve 30% of all the critical landmarks outlined in the document. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the government to renew its commitment to healthcare development in the country.

Reducing health worker migration will not happen overnight, and neither will the strictest of policies stop people from migrating. However, the Nigeria government must commit to building a system that will not only train and retain its workers but also attract the best brain internationally.

 

Dr John Ajefolakemi

email: ajefolakemijohn@gmail.com

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Man Power Loss in the Nigeria Health Sector: A Case of National Diabetes

It is no longer news that Nigeria lost 3,782 nurses to UK alone in year 2021, this is according to figures released by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of UK. Similar figures apply to the other segments of the Nigeria Health sector; a gross loss of skilled man power. Although, several efforts have been made towards reverting this dangerous progression. However, none seems to be working. This progression is gradually creating a defect in the Nigeria healthcare delivery framework; of which it can best be describe as a case of “National Diabetes”.

According to data from World Bank and Nigeria Medical and Dental Council, Nigeria produces an average of 3,000 doctors yearly, and currently has about 35,000 doctors practising, and an estimated doctor - to patient ratio of 4 per 10,000 population. Similarly, data from the Nigeria Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria revealed that Nigeria produces about 12,000 nurses yearly and has a total work force of 250,000 registered Nursing and Midwifery professionals across the country. Despite the above figures, it is estimated that Nigeria will require an additional 149,852 doctors and 471,353 Nurses to meet up its rising healthcare professional need by 2030.

A report by the International Institute of Investigative Reporting, estimated that within a-two year period,(2018-2020), Nigeria lost over 9,000 doctors to UK and other countries. Prior to year 2015, healthcare professionals leaving the country were mainly the junior level professionals. However, over the last 5 years, the dynamics has changed. More and more high level professionals are leaving the country. Considering the existing shortage of high level professionals, if this trend continues unchecked, two grave consequences await the nation. First is the imminent collapse of medical training architecture in the country, and second is the loss of standard of healthcare practise.

While so much has been said about some of the factors underlying the massive exodus of healthcare professionals out of the country, in this review, an analogy of Diabetes mellitus is used to describe the current state of the Nigeria healthcare system.  Also, some key recommendations shall be made, which if pursued, is hope to help turn around the state of things in the sector.

Diabetes mellitus is a medical condition characterised by relative or absolute deficiency of insulin leading to impaired glucose metabolism. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It facilitates the absorption of glucose into the cell. Logically, in the absence of insulin, glucose becomes nothing but nuisance to the cells. The consequence of this is a spectrum of complications that may eventually kills the patient if no prompt medical attention is sought. As such, Diabetes is often described as suffering in the midst of plenty.  

The current situation of the Nigeria health sector looks similar to the above. Glucose in this analogy represents Nigeria healthcare work force, the cells represent the Nigerian population, insulin here represents the healthcare funding and Pancreas represents the Nigeria government. So simply put, national diabetes results when there is an imbalance between healthcare funding and healthcare work force.

Management of this problem requires a multidimensional approach starting with an accurate problem evaluation.

Loss of man power in the health sector can be attributed to several intertwined causes which can be broadly classify into:

a) Nigeria population factor

i. Rapidly increasing population.

ii. Reducing capacity to pay for healthcare.

iii. Increasing prevalence of communicable and non-communicable medical conditions.

iv. Lack of trust in the Nigeria health system.

b) Healthcare professional factors

i. Better job offers at the global market.

ii. Industrial disharmony.

iii. Job Encroachment.

c) Healthcare Incentive factors

i. Poor Remuneration.

ii. Increasing living costs.

iii. Low cost of training.

d) Government Factors

i. Poor healthcare funding.

ii. Crippled healthcare infrastructure.

iii. Defective training architecture.

iv. Poor Healthcare Management.

v. Insecurity.

e) International Medical Market

    i. Increased Global Demand for medical skills.

    ii. Ease of Migration across international border

 

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