Trust in Science in the Digital Age: What Africa Needs

Show notes

In this episode of Voices in African Health, host Sharon Quntai converses with Vivianne Ihekwezea, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, to examine the rapidly changing landscape of health communications following the World Health Summit.

Together, they explore the critical challenge of rebuilding public trust in health information across Africa as digital platforms, social media, and artificial intelligence tools redefine how citizens seek medical advice.

Key Highlights

• Shifting Health Messengers: How moving from traditional frontline healthcare workers to digital platforms introduces new risks regarding information quality, misinformation, and widespread public distrust.
• The Nature Medicine Commission: Inside the two-year global initiative dedicated to establishing clear benchmarks for scientifically sound, accessible, and evidence-based health information.
• Localizing AI Technology: Why training AI models on African languages, local dialects, and slang is essential for equitable digital health access and context-aware guidance.
• Restoring the Social Contract: How public health institutions, governments, and trusted community leaders can collaborate to place agile communication at the core of health strategy.

Tune in for a compelling conversation on reshaping global health architecture and centering authentic African expertise on the world stage.

Guest

Vivianne Ihekwezea

Managing Director · Nigeria Health Watch