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Imagine a world where Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, anatomists, and other medical practitioners, discuss delicate health cases over a conference or meeting, in a virtual world. A world of unlimited possibilities. A metaverse world!
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Before we discuss futher, let’s recall what the word “metaverse” means.
I can remember watching the movie ‘Starwars’ and I’m sure you watched it too. It’s funny how our fantasies, the things we watched in movies are fast becoming reality. Neal Stephenson, the author of the book ‘Snow Crash’ must be thrilled to see that the word coined from his book is almost an internet buzzword. And it’s gradually becoming a reality, no longer fiction.
The world is already getting involved in this metaverse thing, but there are challenges and limitations slowing down this development in some countries in Africa. And we also believe there’s a way forward.
Healthcare And Metaverse In Africa
The metaverse may take decades to come, but its simulations (Augmented reality and Virtual reality etc) are already taking the healthcare system to a higher level all over the world.And of course Africa is not left out.
Professor Stephen Roche,a south African Surgeon and a Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Cape Town, is one of the surgeons from Countries world wide who have dedicated his time to mixed reality Orthopaedic operations.
Presently, Meta in partnership with Virtual Reality platforms, Imisi 3D,has given African youths(including medical practitioners) the opportunity to join the Africa Metathon Programme. This programme is aimed to demonstrate the different use cases of the metaverse in Africa.
Norman Catherine,Africa’s first metaverse artist has developed a collection of 3D avatars for people to wear.And the firm is planning to build the virtual Ubuntuland where art galleries and villages would be in existence.
Africa is trying its best to be in this metaverse game, but some challenges are being faced by some Africans. And this is hindering this new Tech innovation, Metaverse, from being established. Some of these problems are discussed below
The Challenges in Africa
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1.High Rate of Poverty and Hunger:
Most African homes have barely enough money for their feeding, not to talk of buying Virtual Reality/Oculus headset.This particular problem makes it sound crazy when admonishing medical students to buy a headset for their medical trainings
2.Unstable Power supply:
Some African countries experience the problem of unstable power supply.For instance, about 43% of Nigerians don’t have access to grid electricity.This is yet another challenge we have here in Africa.
3.Network Issues:
In as much as the 5G network is invoke,the 4G tech is not yet adopted by most African countries.We all know that these simulations need strong internet connection to work,if not there would be a problem.
The Way Forward
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In the 1990s when WEB was established newly,people were skeptical about it.Now in the 21st century,we know better. We must embrace the Metaverse with both hands and we do that by getting ready for it. And that’s part of what we do here at OJ Technologies Ltd,we bridge the gap between health and Technology .We expose health practitioners and students to the beauty of digital health.
We are in a digital age where students could do remote jobs online and still survive, even as a student. At least with this, medical students could get funding for their VR headsets and their other needs.
Again, everyone must be involved this time around, to invest in Africa and make sure we are not left out in this innovation. The Government bodies, NGOs, Communities, and individuals must team up to prepare Africa for what’s about to come. We all need to position Africa for the future of Digital Health.
Conclusion
Africa is blessed with a lot of potential and we are a force to reckon on. The metaverse has come to stay, all we need do to is prepare and accept it when the time is right. The importance of the Metaverse in the medical world can’t be over-emphasized, we need a much better healthcare system in Africa. A reliable one at that. Although there are challenges on our way, we could still overcome them if we tackle them with one mind.
To start this change we have an offer for all the medical students, sign up to our waitlist and get a 50% discount as a new VR headset user.
Do you think we could overcome these challenges even if we team up? What other ways could Africa get rid of this limitations in order to move forward? What are your thoughts ? Share with us below