ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi said that telehealth powered by digital and Artificial Intelligence-based technologies is key to provide counselling, advice and diagnosis to masses in most cost-effective and hassle-free manner.

Addressing Pakistan’s Second Digital Health National Conference, attended by health professionals, information technology experts, doctors, scholars and others President said that Pakistan is facing many challenges in health sector, which included lack of medical professionals, poor infrastructure, high cost of health services and lack of medical facilities in rural areas, besides insufficient allocation of funds in health and education sectors.

He said that these problems faced by nation could be significantly handled by bringing in Artificial Intelligence driven telehealth and digital health initiatives which would augment health system.

This would be without incurring substantial cost by providing health services through virtual hospitals, clinics and diagnostics and promoting preventive mode of treatment which will substantially reduce burden of diseases in country, he added.

Incidence of Hepatitis in Pakistan was 9 percent of total population, which made up around 20 million people whereas in Egypt, percentage of hepatitis prevalence was 12 to 13 percent of total population and it spent 3 to 4 billion dollars to counter this deadly disease. He said that Pakistan being poor country could not completely provide curative treatment but should focus on preventive measures of treatment.

He said that government could lay down laws and policies regarding digital and telehealth platforms for country but private sector had to campaign and advocate for such measures and become proactive partners for implementation of policies and creating user friendly, cost effective and accessible health facilities to reduce disease burden from country.

Founding President Digital Health Association Dr Azfar Malik said that Pakistan Digital health Association represented Pakistan’s health ecosystem and was aimed at assisting government in developing digital health-friendly policies and fostering cooperation among stakeholders and 2nd Digital Health conference was step in this direction.

CEO Cure MD Bilal Hashmat gave detailed presentation on digital health system and its efficacy for streamlining healthcare in Pakistan.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 15 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.