Karachi: Digital health and artificial intelligence could help reduce medical errors, improve patient safety and limit preventable harm, health experts said on Thursday, stressing the need for careful implementation, clinical oversight and protection of patients.
The experts were speaking at Al-Kawthar University on the second day of the First International Conference on Public Health Governance and Sustainable Health Systems 2026.
Around 500 healthcare professionals, academics, researchers and students attended the programme, according to organisers.
Digital health specialist Dr Zakiuddin Ahmed, chief executive of DigitalCare, highlighted the potential of technology to improve healthcare while drawing attention to preventable patient deaths. He stressed that hospitals must become more patient friendly, with services organised around patients’ safety and needs.
Dr Zakiuddin Ahmed’s work on patient safety has identified limited resources and weak policy commitment as barriers to improving healthcare quality in Pakistan.
He has also advocated greater patient participation and the development of health services that place patients at the centre of care.
He said World Health Organisation estimates that around one in 10 patients experiences harm during healthcare and unsafe care contributes to more than three million deaths annually worldwide. More than half of this harm is preventable.
WHO guidance warns that hurried adoption of untested AI systems can itself cause errors, harm patients and undermine trust. It calls for evidence of benefit, expert supervision and protection of sensitive health information before such tools are widely used in routine care.
Conference patron and organiser Prof Dr Syed Shabib ul Hasan emphasised collaboration between universities, public institutions and professional associations. At Wednesday’s opening, he said the conference brought together health professionals, academics, policymakers and federal and provincial representatives to develop recommendations for the government.
The discussions built on calls for stronger prevention and primary healthcare during the opening day at the University of Karachi.
Health Services Academy Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahzad Ali Khan had warned that treating people after they became ill would not address the causes of Pakistan’s disease burden.
Prof Dr Minhaj Qidwai, dean of Al-Kawthar’s Faculty of Allied Health and Medical Sciences, played a key role in organising the conference and coordinating the university’s participation. A former chief executive and founding head of the Sindh Healthcare Commission, he also delivered a keynote on the opening day.
Thursday’s plenary featured Dr Faisal Haider Zaidi of California Health Sciences University, Prof Dr Amna Rehana Siddiqui of Jinnah Sindh Medical University and Prof Dr Asim Jaffary of Aga Khan University. Their presentations were followed by questions from participants.
The digital governance session included technical addresses by Dr Asim Ali and Dr Nadeem Mehmood, covering digital governance and healthcare transformation through AI. Discussions also covered telemedicine, health information systems and data governance.
A parallel session featuring Dr Noureen Mujahid examined climate change, heatwaves, floods, disease outbreaks and disaster preparedness. Another session, featuring Dr Ahmad Yar Sukhera and Prof Dr Asif Iqbal, considered traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, including regulation and its place in public health.
An afternoon panel moderated by Dr Ghazala Yasmeen examined the future of public health governance in Pakistan. Participants included Dr Tanveer Raazi Ahmed, Dr Ghias Ahmed and Prof Dr Farhat Ali Jafri.
Dr Akmal Waheed thanked participants, speakers and organising teams at the close of Thursday’s programme. In earlier public remarks on prevention, he has urged universities and students to promote healthy lifestyles and spread awareness of diabetes and other diseases.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Athar Mehboob delivered closing remarks, followed by presentation of the report and recommendations. The programme continues on Friday at the University of Karachi with sessions on stress management, lifestyle medicine and nutrition, alongside poster activities.
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