KARACHI: Healthcare industry leaders, policy makers and experts discussed the transformative shifts in healthcare, the role of technology and the importance of sustainable policies at The Future Summit on Thursday.

Jointly organised by Unity Foods Limited and Nutshell Conferences Group, the two-day summit gathered global and local leaders, industry experts, and decision-makers to discuss critical trends, innovative solutions, and collaborative strategies, said a press release issued on Thursday.

Speakers at the healthcare session emphasised the important role the technology can play in expanding healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved regions.

“Digital technologies are reshaping healthcare delivery. For better services in rural areas, mobile health units and telemedicine are essential, while robotics assist surgeries in urban hospitals. Yet, at its core, healthcare is about humanity, and people remain irreplaceable,” said M. Haroon Qassim, the managing director of PharmaEvo.

Panellists call for talent retention, improved data privacy and policy reforms

Javed Ghulam Mohammad, group managing director and CEO of Martin Dow Group, spoke on the pharmaceutical sector’s evolution, particularly with AI-driven advancements accelerating drug research and development.

He noted, “In Pakistan, NGOs primarily manage major hospitals, underscoring gaps in government support for healthcare and education. Access to medicines remains limited, with Pakistan’s pharmaceutical market valued at only $3 billion.”

Douglas Corley, the co-founder of Sage Health and Equity Health Foundation, discussed international healthcare standards, and pinpointed the stark differences between developed and emerging markets.

Highlighting genetic testing trends in the US, he stated, “Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention all benefit from technology, yet high-quality care remains costly.”

Reflecting on the regulatory environment, another spearker Mahmoud Hatem called for updated healthcare policies to meet modern challenges.

Johannes Kedzierski, the CEO of Novacare Hospital, warned of an impending global shortage of healthcare professionals. “Pakistan’s quality medical education unfortunately fuels a brain drain, as many doctors seek opportunities abroad,” he said, stressing the need for stronger incentives to retain talent.

He also stressed the importance of data privacy, particularly in using AI for medical data analysis. “While integrating data improves outcomes, we must protect individuals’ privacy and seek consent before using personal information.”

David Heyman, founding partner of Andalus Holdings & Board Member, Kings College Hospital, London-UAE, highlighted the emerging trends such as robotic surgery and nanomedicine as solutions for rising healthcare demands linked to global population growth, life expectancy, and lifestyle changes.

He also noted the significant expansion of the oncology market, with the demand for early disease detection becoming critical to reducing healthcare costs and improving survival rates. “With limited budgets, resources, and experts, maximising what we have is essential,” he added.

The discussion underscored the widespread talent migration among healthcare professionals, with Mr Hatem noting that Egypt, like Pakistan, faces an exodus of skilled medical staff.

The summit called for collective action to strengthen healthcare systems, with panellists agreeing on the need for improved infrastructure, talent retention, data privacy, and targeted policy reforms. By leveraging technology responsibly and prioritising local healthcare investments, leaders aim to ensure healthcare remains accessible and equitable for all.

Discussion on climate solutions

On the first day of the conference, a panel discussion on ‘Risk to reward: Climate Solutions’ was also held.

Speaking on the occasion, Sadia Dada, chief distribution and marketing officer of the K-Electric, spoke about the company’s ambitious target of reduction in Scope 1 emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2030.

She highlighted the company’s sustainability journey, emphasising the key defining factor in the drive towards sustainability being the need for ‘putting actions behind words’.

Ms Dada referenced KE’s recent 10pcreduction in Scope 1 emissions, equating to almost 0.8 million metric tonnes the previous year alone.

She mentioned that the KE would not generate additional megawatts on imported fuel, and by 2030, 30pc of the utility’s power supply would come from renewable sources.

“Our journey began by putting targets into place and disclosures are necessary to share information in black and white,” she said, accentuating the importance for accountability and the fact that these may be voluntary now but are likely to become mandatory in future from a regulatory perspective.

Another panellist Ayla Majid while addressing a question about achieving net zero and the current position emphasised the need for a strategic approach to energy transition and decarbonisation which are interlinked, acknowledging that high energy costs impact all sectors.

She highlighted green hydrogen as a key opportunity, with the potential to meet 12pc of global energy needs by 2050, yet noted its cost challenges compared to fossil fuels.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2024