The rapid evolution of technology is reshaping trends across industries, particularly in healthcare. Technological advancements drive efficiency and innovation, helping meet the growing demand for accessible care. In recent years, new trends have emerged in the healthcare sector, and this momentum is expected to continue through 2025.
Zimbabwe's healthcare sector, like much of Africa, faces unique challenges, including limited resources and accessibility gaps. However, emerging trends in global healthcare technology hold immense potential to address these issues and transform how medicine is practised.
Below, we explore seven transformative healthcare trends that promise to revolutionise medicine globally and locally.
- Telemedicine Expansion and Accessibility
While telemedicine has existed for years, it came into the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic when its potential was fully realised. With many unable to visit hospitals due to social distancing, lockdowns, and overwhelmed healthcare systems, telemedicine became a key component of healthcare delivery in the United States, the UK, and much of Europe. In contrast, the adoption of telemedicine was more limited in some parts of Africa, hindered by challenges such as poor internet connectivity, lack of infrastructure, and limited digital literacy.
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The pandemic highlighted telemedicine’s benefits in providing consultations, mental health services, and follow-up care. These services can address doctor shortages in rural Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa. For telemedicine to be a viable solution, investment in affordable internet access and mobile health platforms is crucial. Implementing these would enable patients to consult specialists through mobile phones or community telehealth hubs.
- Personalised Medicine
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all treatments. Thanks to advancements in genomics and biotechnology, patients can now receive individualised care tailored to their unique genetic profiles, lifestyle, and health history. This approach leads to more effective treatments, fewer side effects, and better outcomes by targeting the root cause of health conditions.
A major benefit of personalised medicine is its ability to identify genetic predispositions to certain diseases, enabling a proactive approach to healthcare. When individuals are found to have a genetic predisposition, healthcare providers can intervene early, often preventing or delaying the onset of disease.
In parallel, patients increasingly seek Early Access Care to investigational products that offer hope for conditions with limited treatment options. Platforms connecting patients to clinical trials and experimental drugs are transforming how new therapies reach those in need.
While biotechnology and genomics are still emerging in Africa, partnerships with global health organisations could improve regional access to these therapies. With increased accessibility, healthcare providers in countries like Zimbabwe could screen for genetic predispositions to diabetes or sickle cell anaemia and develop tailored prevention strategies. Patients with rare diseases could also access investigational therapies through early access programs.
- Wearable Technology
Wearable technology continues to evolve and revolutionise the healthcare system by enabling continuous health monitoring, early detection of potential health problems, and giving individuals more control over their well-being. Common wearable devices include fitness trackers, smartwatches, heart rate monitors, Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), and sleep trackers. These devices allow patients and healthcare providers to track vital signs in real time and quickly identify irregularities for timely intervention.
A new generation of wearables, such as Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs), which establish a direct communication pathway between the brain and external devices, is also emerging. BCIs can interpret neural signals and convert them into commands that control devices like computers, prosthetic limbs, and wheelchairs. Some BCIs require brain implants, and their potential in managing severe conditions like chronic pain, epilepsy, and paralysis is being investigated. While many people may not be ready to have implants in their brains, their potential is exciting, and discussions about them are gaining traction in the healthcare sector.
However, adopting wearable technologies in Africa comes with challenges, such as high costs, inadequate healthcare system integration, and limited awareness of their health benefits. Overcoming these barriers will require a collaborative effort from governments, healthcare providers, technology companies, and international organisations.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is one of the most discussed and rapidly evolving technologies due to its immense benefits and adaptability. Even industries traditionally resistant to technological advancements are beginning to recognise the value of AI. Healthcare, finance, and retail sectors have been early adopters, and they continue to leverage AI to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and reduce costs.
In healthcare, AI algorithms are being used in diagnostics. These algorithms can analyse medical imaging (e.g., X-rays, MRIs, CT scans) more accurately and faster than humans, promoting earlier intervention and better outcomes.
In healthcare, AI algorithms are used in diagnostics, where they have been shown to analyse medical imaging (e.g., X-rays, MRIs, CT scans) with greater accuracy and speed than human practitioners. This ability promotes earlier intervention and better patient outcomes.
AI is also revolutionising the drug discovery process. It’s now possible to identify promising compounds and predict how drugs interact within the body by using AI models to analyse vast datasets from clinical trials, patient records, and scientific literature. This results in reduced time and cost associated with bringing new drugs to market.
Furthermore, AI-powered virtual assistants are increasingly used to provide personalised care, answer health-related queries, remind patients about appointments or medication schedules, and offer mental health support.
Developing countries in Africa stand to benefit significantly from AI adoption, although challenges like limited infrastructure and a lack of trained personnel still need to be addressed. However, AI can be integrated into telemedicine platforms for accurate diagnostics and treatment recommendations, making healthcare more accessible in these regions.
- Mental Health Integration
For many years, mental health has been stigmatised across several cultures, leading to discrimination, fear, and misunderstanding. Due to this stigma, people suffering from mental health issues were afraid to seek proper care and treatment. Fortunately, the global outlook on mental health is improving, and efforts are being made to integrate mental health into the broader healthcare systems.
In many developed countries, mental health services are now being integrated into primary care settings, making it more convenient for individuals to access physical and mental health care in one place. Governments are spearheading initiatives to raise awareness, reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and educate the public about mental wellness and treatment options. Additionally, innovative technological solutions, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), are being used to deliver therapy and mental health support sessions.
Zimbabwe, as well as other African countries, will benefit immensely from raising awareness about mental health. Raising awareness about mental health is crucial, especially by providing resources in local languages to reach underserved populations. The ultimate goal is to break the stigma and integrate mental health services into primary healthcare systems. While progress is being made, there is still much work to do to achieve this vision.
Conclusion
The healthcare landscape of 2025 will be shaped by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to accessibility. For Zimbabwe and Africa at large, adopting these trends is necessary to meet their populations' growing demands.
To ensure these transformative trends benefit Zimbabweans, stakeholders must prioritise investments in infrastructure, partnerships with global health organisations, and public health education.
