Tanzania, March 13 -- Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's drive to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) in public hospitals faces risks, with cybersecurity experts warning that most facilities lack basic digital protections to safeguard patient records.

IT auditors who have reviewed the country's healthcare digital infrastructure say a ransomware attack on a single hospital could paralyse critical systems for days, exposing thousands of patient records and endangering lives.

"Imagine Muhimbili or Mbeya Referral Hospital being locked out of patient records, lab results and radiology systems because hackers demand payment," said an international cybersecurity expert Arpna Aggarwal. "This is happening globally, even in hospitals with stronger secu...