Abstract
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare systems in
low-resource settings, such as Nepal and Ghana, presents transformative
opportunities to improve personalized patient care, optimize resources, and
address medical professional shortages. This paper presents a survey-based
evaluation and insights from Nepal and Ghana, highlighting major obstacles such
as data privacy, reliability, and trust issues. Quantitative and qualitative
field studies reveal critical metrics, including 85% of respondents identifying
ethical oversight as a key concern, and 72% emphasizing the need for localized
governance structures. Building on these findings, we propose a draft
Responsible AI (RAI) Framework tailored to resourceconstrained environments in
these countries. Key elements of the framework include ethical guidelines,
regulatory compliance mechanisms, and contextual validation approaches to
mitigate bias and ensure equitable healthcare outcomes.
Abstract
Rural healthcare faces persistent challenges, including inadequate
infrastructure, workforce shortages, and socioeconomic disparities that hinder
access to essential services. This study investigates the transformative
potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing these issues in
underserved rural areas. We systematically reviewed 109 studies published
between 2019 and 2024 from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and
Scopus. Articles were screened using PRISMA guidelines and Covidence software.
A thematic analysis was conducted to identify key patterns and insights
regarding AI implementation in rural healthcare delivery. The findings reveal
significant promise for AI applications, such as predictive analytics,
telemedicine platforms, and automated diagnostic tools, in improving healthcare
accessibility, quality, and efficiency. Among these, advanced AI systems,
including Multimodal Foundation Models (MFMs) and Large Language Models (LLMs),
offer particularly transformative potential. MFMs integrate diverse data
sources, such as imaging, clinical records, and bio signals, to support
comprehensive decision-making, while LLMs facilitate clinical documentation,
patient triage, translation, and virtual assistance. Together, these
technologies can revolutionize rural healthcare by augmenting human capacity,
reducing diagnostic delays, and democratizing access to expertise. However,
barriers remain, including infrastructural limitations, data quality concerns,
and ethical considerations. Addressing these challenges requires
interdisciplinary collaboration, investment in digital infrastructure, and the
development of regulatory frameworks. This review offers actionable
recommendations and highlights areas for future research to ensure equitable
and sustainable integration of AI in rural healthcare systems.