Ethiopia to roll out AI-controlled digital stethoscope

Addis Ababa, October 3, 2023 (FBC) – Artificial intelligence-controlled digital stethoscope technology is ready for medical activities in Ethiopia for the first time, Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences said.

That was disclosed in a ceremony to unveil the new digital stethoscope to medical professionals at the Black Lion Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa.

Dr. Abdurezak Ahmed, Medical Director of Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences, Black Lion Specialized Hospital, said at the ceremony that the technology’s entry into the country made Black Lion Specialized Hospital the first to use a digital stethoscope technology.

Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences indicated that Ethiopia is the second country in Africa after South Africa to apply artificial intelligence-controlled digital stethoscope technology.

Digital stethoscope technology controls filtering, buffering, and amplification of audible sounds, as well as converts acoustic sounds into digital signals. The preprocessing module cleans up any artifacts in the digital signal. Unlike the conventional diagnostic tools, it helps improve diagnostic accuracy and provides early disease detection.

Pointing out that the technology is of great benefit in providing better quality medical treatment, the Medical Director thanked experts of Republic of Korea and Ethiopian-born people for their efforts so that the technology can be applied in Ethiopia.