AKU hosts first Health-Tech Summit in Pakistan

Summit proposes three key initiatives for country’s health sector, which were promptly endorsed by PM

KARACHI:

The Aga Khan University (AKU), in collaboration with AIM Consulting, hosted the inaugural Health-Tech Summit in Pakistan, marking a historic step towards advancing technology in the healthcare sector.

Shaukat Ali Khan, the Global Chief Information Officer of AKU and chief organiser of the summit, highlighted the significance of the event, which attracted esteemed dignitaries including Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, Sindh Governor Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori, Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar, and Caretaker Sindh Health Minister Saad Khalid Niaz, among others.

Lt Gen Nigar Johar Khan, a national hero, also lent her presence to the summit, contributing valuable insights.

The summit's primary objective was to provide a platform for global experts to share best practices while local speakers contextualised emerging technologies within the framework of Pakistan and other lower-middle-income countries.

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The comprehensive agenda covered pivotal topics such as Generative AI in healthcare, the value of data for improving prevention and diagnosis, healthcare affordability, emerging technologies, data protection, cybersecurity risks, and the vision of smart hospitals of the future.

Renowned international and national speakers, including Klara Jelinkova from Harvard University, Martin Roll, Khan Siddiqui, Tasleem Nimjee, Prof Dr Jean-Pierre, Dastan Dogoev, Anatoly Motkin, and George Patsis, addressed these critical issues, contributing to a rich and insightful dialogue.

During his address, Shaukat Ali Khan proposed three key initiatives to the prime minister, which were promptly endorsed.

The first initiative involves the establishment of a technology council, comprising international and national experts, dedicated to spearheading Pakistan's technological advancement.

The second initiative aims to create a think tank focused on nurturing and retaining highly skilled professionals within the country.

The third initiative focuses on implementing an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system across all government hospitals, ensuring seamless access to patient data and continuity of care.

Anticipated to have a profound impact on Pakistan's healthcare sector, the outcomes of the summit reflect a significant stride towards embracing technological advancements and fostering innovation in healthcare delivery.

The proposed initiatives, including the technology council, the think tank, and the EHR system implementation, are expected to provide a strategic roadmap for progress, revolutionising medical record-keeping and enhancing patient care outcomes.

The summit stands as a noteworthy milestone in Pakistan's journey towards utilising technology for the enhancement of its healthcare industry.

By bridging the gap between international best practices and local contexts, the event sets the stage for a more technologically advanced and brighter future in healthcare for the country.