Robots May Be Used to Fight Ebola in West Africa; Australian PM Admits US, UK Asked For Medical Teams

Robotics scientists in the United States are considering the possibility of using robots to help contain the Ebola virus. According to a New York Times report, robots deployed in rescue and disaster operations may be repurposed to fight Ebola. Scientists are planning a series of meetings with the help of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Researchers believe that a robot designed to perform tasks like waste removal or burial of dead Ebola patients will have a significant impact and save more lives. However, scientists say technology may still be limited for robots in healthcare. Current technology enables robots to disarm roadside bombs and drive cars but they have not advanced to greater human levels of flexibility when it comes to healthcare.

Gill Pratt, a program manager and robotics scientists at the federal Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency said the Ebola outbreak in Africa has revealed a significant gap between the capabilities of robots and the needs of disaster relief and humanitarian operations. He believes scientists have the moral obligation to apply technology wherever it can help but the dilemma that comes with it must also be addressed.

Countries with that have the most cases of Ebola are not capable of deploying robots but robotics technology is widely used in the U.S. in medical settings. Reports said robots may be programmed to make interactive checklists for healthcare personnel who are wearing and taking off protective suits in the same way aircraft pilots follow checklists before takeoff and landing.

Robotics scientists believe that it will still take years before the world can see a robot that is capable of examining a patient like a doctor or a nurse. Scientists cited cultural objections in the adoption of robots for medical use especially in the handling of bodies.

Meanwhile, as the international aid organisations continue to appeal for help, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott admits Australia was asked by the U.S. and U.K. to send medical teams to Africa. Since the outbreak, Australia has been asked to do more but Mr Abbott refused to send healthcare workers to West Africa unless the risk of treating aid workers was taken care of, The Australian reports.

The U.S. and the U.K. are already helping build field hospitals in Liberia and Sierra Leone for healthcare workers. Mr Abbott had admitted Australia's allies have been asking for the country to do more other than providing financial aid.