'AI, robotic surgery to reshaping healthcare'

LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said on Saturday that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, genomic research and robotic surgery were driving major changes in healthcare systems around the world.

He made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the Pakistan Medical Association's International Medical Conference in Lahore.

Khan said medical progress should be matched by a continued commitment to compassion, medical ethics and equal access to treatment for all patients. He said that while healthcare systems were advancing through new technologies, the human side of medicine remained equally important.

During his address, the speaker also paid tribute to doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers for their services during global pandemics, including COVID-19. He said they had set remarkable examples of service to humanity.

Healthcare reforms highlighted

Khan said the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, had undertaken what he described as historic reforms in the health sector.

According to the speaker, free medical services were being delivered through 200 mobile clinics working in both urban and rural areas of the province. He also said that basic health units were being upgraded with modern facilities as part of the government's efforts to improve healthcare delivery.

He further said the provincial government had introduced a modern machine for cancer treatment.

The conference brought together medical professionals as the speaker outlined both the promise of technological innovation and the need to ensure that healthcare remains accessible and ethical.

Khan said that advances in medicine should benefit all sections of society and stressed the importance of maintaining fairness in access to healthcare facilities. He said compassion and ethics must remain central as the sector adopts new tools and treatment methods.

He also acknowledged the contribution of frontline medical staff during health emergencies, saying their work during pandemics had reflected a strong commitment to humanity.

The speaker's remarks focused on both innovation and public service, linking technological development in medicine with the government's ongoing efforts to expand and modernise healthcare services in Punjab.