Syed Mustafa Kamal chaired a Zoom meeting where UK-based health technology expert Dr Sohail Chughtai and Naila Israr provided a detailed briefing on using AI in Health across Pakistan’s healthcare system. The session focused on practical applications of artificial intelligence to improve diagnosis, treatment and administrative workflows.
Officials including the Special Secretary, Additional Secretary, Director General Health, the CEO of the Sehat Sahulat Program and the Executive Director of PIMS attended the briefing and discussed how AI in Health can support digitalisation efforts at both facility and programme levels. Participants examined ways to integrate intelligent tools to speed up clinical decision-making and streamline patient management.
The briefing highlighted specific opportunities for AI in Health to enhance diagnostic accuracy, personalise treatment plans and reduce administrative burden, thereby improving service delivery and transparency. Speakers also addressed the need for data governance, training and infrastructure to ensure safe and effective deployment of AI solutions in Pakistan.
The federal minister said, “We must adopt modern technology to make the health system more efficient, transparent and accessible for public welfare. AI is the way forward and can give medical services a new dimension.” He emphasised collaboration with national programmes and international partners to scale digital health initiatives.
The meeting noted potential collaboration with organisations such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Gavi and the Gates Foundation, as well as programmes like the Expanded Programme on Immunization and the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative, to align AI in Health efforts with broader public health goals.
