Can AI cure our health system?

Healthcare is one of the most essential sectors for every country and its citizens. Globally, it has been transforming through innovative technology and evolving medical practices to improve living standards, health and wellness.

Traditionally, medical and surgical treatments have relied primarily on the knowledge and experience of healthcare practitioners and infrastructure, such as buildings and beds. However, technological advancements are now emerging to elevate the overall healthcare ecosystem to the next level.

From disease diagnosis to surgical treatments, advanced equipment and machines play a vital role in health systems worldwide. The emerging field of artificial intelligence (AI) in the healthcare sector is particularly poised to revolutionise the industry. AI tools are fast, efficient and accurate in diagnosing various diseases, helping doctors and surgeons gain insights into health issues and complex diseases within minutes.

In medical terms, the earlier a patient is diagnosed, the sooner they can be treated or even have their life saved. Cancer patients, in particular, understand the importance of early and accurate diagnosis. According to the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, 185,748 cancer cases were reported in Pakistan in 2022, and 118,631 of these patients unfortunately did not survive.

Similarly, many complex diseases could be treated more effectively if diagnosed at an early stage through AI tools — capabilities that the human eye cannot match in speed or precision.

In Pakistan, the healthcare system faces several challenges that AI could help address, including a shortage of doctors, overburdened hospitals, and delays in illness diagnosis. Healthcare institutions, doctors and surgeons are struggling to cater to the needs of a vast population. According to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, more than 300,000 registered doctors and 38,000 dentists are practising in the country. However, the overall doctor-to-patient ratio stands at 1:1300, which is below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:1100 for developing countries and far from the ideal ratio of 2.5:1000.

With population growth projected to reach nearly 300 million by 2035 and the ongoing brain drain of medical professionals, the gap between the required number of doctors and patients will likely widen in the future.

The healthcare infrastructure is also heavily concentrated in urban areas, with 13,000 public and private hospitals mostly located in metropolitan cities. These hospitals are overburdened with patients seeking treatment for various medical issues in both outpatient and inpatient departments.

Moreover, the availability of healthcare units in remote areas is insufficient, and doctors are often reluctant to serve in these locations.

AI could help bridge this gap by performing surgeries for common health issues, especially in hospitals located in smaller cities and districts. AI-assisted robotic technology could carry out various surgical procedures more quickly. For example, eye operations, dental procedures and heart surgeries could be performed efficiently and accurately.

If hospitals invest in AI applications and systems, they could reduce spending on infrastructure, including buildings and beds. The government should allocate funds for this emerging technology, and renowned charitable organisations should also consider investing in AI. This technology could significantly reduce the burden on overcrowded hospitals by providing rapid, accurate, and efficient healthcare services. AI systems could also perform complex treatments in remote hospitals with precision, while doctors in major cities could supervise and even perform surgeries using robotic and AI technologies remotely.

It is essential to assure the medical fraternity that AI technology is not meant to replace them but to assist them significantly. All AI-based procedures would be conducted under their supervision, helping them manage their workload more efficiently. It would also provide doctors with more time for research and treatment of complex health issues. Therefore, healthcare professionals should embrace this technology.

The good news is that AI technology has already been tested in Pakistan, including in a public sector hospital and by a charitable healthcare provider, with remarkable results. AI-assisted robotic surgeries have shown many advantages over traditional open surgeries, such as smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times.

Another positive development is that Pakistani IT companies are actively working on AI solutions, potentially designing applications tailored to local healthcare challenges.

To fully realise the benefits of AI in healthcare, the government, along with relevant stakeholders — including doctors and technology providers — should develop a policy framework for the integration of AI systems, applications, and tools in the healthcare system. This strategic approach would help save precious lives through the use of advanced technology.

The writer’s field of expertise is AI.