International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887) Volume 97– No.5, July 2014 1 Medical Simulation a Tool yet Untapped in Most Developing Nations in Africa Olalere.A.Abass Dept. of Computer Science Tai Solarin College of Education Babafemi.O.Samuel Dept. of Computer Science Tai Solarin College of Education Gabriel.T.Odufeko Dept. of Biology Tai Solarin College of Education ABSTRACT Delicate surgeries and acute medical cases in Africa are often referred to the developed countries of the world with sophisticated medical services. One marvels at the millions of cash which covers cost of travelling and treatment invested to save a life, while the developed countries continues to thrive ahead in doing the needful in fostering their healthcare services, Africa has been left behind. The role of medical simulation in ensuring improvement in medical practices in the developed nations of the world can’t be underestimated. It is a “phenomenon” flourishing and as such developing nations in Africa should tap into its limitless opportunities in bringing advancement to its healthcare system. This paper intends to elucidate the benefits of medical simulation and justify reasons why the African continent should embrace it. General Terms Simulation, Medical Simulation. Keywords Simulation in Healthcare, Clinical Simulation, Health Practitioner Efficiency, Benefits of Medical Simulation. 1. INTRODUCTION The imitation of a real-world process or operation of a system over time is called simulation [1]. It encompasses the development of a model that will replicate the key features and attributes of an actual system. The model represents the system itself, while simulation represents the behaviour of the system over time. With the aid of a scientific model, simulation can be used to gain insight into the functioning of human and natural systems ([2], [4]). It is also used to determine the exact effect of different courses of actions taken on a particular system. Simulation is also applicable when the real system cannot be engaged because it may be risky and dangerous, could be under construction or simply may not exist. ([3], [4]). Many cutting edge advancement in various fields ranging from medicine, manufacturing, aviation, driving, transportation, automobiles, urban planning, military etc. have been created through the use of simulation. The focus of this paper is to dwell extensively on the application of simulation to medicine and healthcare system which in general term is often referred to as “medical simulation”. Medical simulation is a relatively new concept for training and evaluation of physicians in healthcare, it includes diverse range of techniques from role-playing actors, differential diagnosis clinical scenarios to cadaveric dissection and stored “classic disease” imaging studies which have been used to educate generations of physicians [5]. This work will also justify why this technique should be embraced in ensuring the best medical practices in developing countries in Africa. 2. MEDICAL SIMULATION AT A GLANCE The first incidence of medical simulation was by Dr Gregoire of Paris in the 17 th century where he used a manikin he created to demonstrate a stretched skin over a pelvis to imitate attributes of an abdomen through the use of a dead foetus to explain assisted and complicated deliveries to midwives [14]. These models evolved and developed with time, today it is being used as a diagnostic tool to demonstrate the clinical features of certain diseases. The first major step taken in creating simulators that will model functions of human body was achieved by the University of Miami in USA through the creation of its famous Harvey mannequin that recreated the key characteristics of a cardiology examination including palpation, auscultation and electrocardiography. Elsewhere in Europe, different companies were springing up developing technologies that will aid physicians in managing the reaction of human body to trauma. Several simulators such as resuscitation training mannequins, portable ventilation and airway control machines were developed in order to provide efficient on-scene emergency treatment, proper and adequate ventilation control in order to manage the needs of patients during cardiac arrest. The national institute of health virtual human project in 1986 in USA created the platform to use simulation as a training tool with its invention of a complete, anatomically correct, three-dimensional representation of both the male and female human bodies; this was complemented with transverse CT, MR and cryo-section images. The end result of this project will be a library that links visual images and data to the names of body parts, providing the medical reference on the human body’s reaction to a variety of stimuli. Between the mid to late 90’s, companies such as Laerdal, Medical Education Technologies (METI), Mentice, and Simbionix, to mention a few springed up and developed sophisticated medical simulators which was being used to train healthcare professionals [6] . At presence medical simulators are increasingly being developed and deployed to teach therapeutic and diagnostic