At the heart of the celebration was a powerful theme: “Thyroid and Artificial Intelligence.” It was a message of both reflection and progress, acknowledging the personal struggles many people face with thyroid conditions, while celebrating the rapid advances in technology that promise better care for patients living with the condition.
 
The event was chaired by Dr. Abdul-Samed Tanko, the Chief Executive Officer of UGMC, who opened the day with a warm welcome and a call for commitment to education, empathy, and advancement in thyroid care. In his remarks, he underscored the importance that UGMC places on treating thyroid disease as well as in promoting awareness around it.

In her remarks, the president of the Thyroid Ghana Foundation, who is also the Deputy Director of the UGMC Medical Scientific and Research Centre, Ms. Nana Adwoa Konadu Dsane, reminded the audience not to be afraid of thyroid disease. “Let’s face it and bring ourselves together for management and treatment. We are here to support people with thyroid, as it is a condition like any other that can be managed,” she said.

The Head of the Molecular Laboratory at UGMC, Dr. James Aboagye, explained the complex yet fascinating workings of the thyroid gland. In his presentation, he explained that the thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped organ tucked beneath the Adam’s apple, quietly responsible for controlling the body’s metabolism, growth, heart rate, and even mental health. He discussed how thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism often stem from other health issues, such as iodine deficiency or inflammation. He described how these conditions affect everything from energy levels, fluctuating weight, to disruption in menstrual cycles, mood, and brain development.

 
Dr. Aboagye revealed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could now help doctors distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous thyroid nodules with greater accuracy by analyzing radiological images. He also shared how machine learning models are being integrated into surgical planning, allowing doctors to predict complications before they happen. These advances, he noted, are not just futuristic as they are already saving lives today by making diagnoses faster and more precise.
 
Senior Medical and Scientific Research Fellow at UGMC’s Research Centre, Dr. Catherine Omosule, followed with a compelling presentation on how thyroid function changes during pregnancy. She highlighted the essential role of thyroid hormones in fetal brain development and overall maternal health, stressing the importance of early testing and newborn screening. Her presentation brought attention to a critical but often overlooked area of women’s and children’s health.
 
The event transitioned into a lively panel discussion, where questions from participants were expertly answered by the experts present.