*INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF PAKISTAN’S FIRST ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)-BASED GYNAE PORTAL (KIOSK) AT THE DEPARTMENT OF OBST. & GYNAE, FATIMA JINNAH INSTITUTE OF MOTHER & CHILD HEALTH, FJMU/ SGRH, LAHORE*

The inauguration ceremony of the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Gynae Portal (KIOSK) was held, in collaboration with PharmEvo Private Limited, at Fatima Jinnah Institute of Mother & Child Health, FJMU/SGRH, Lahore.

The Hon’ble Health Minister Punjab SHC&ME Department, Prof. Dr. Javed Akram, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The esteemed Vice Chancellor, FJMU Prof. Dr. Khalid Masud Gondal, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Kamran Khalid Khawja, Principal FJMC Prof. Dr. Noreen Akmal, Registrar Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nadeem, Dean Undergraduate Prof. Aisha Malik, Director Quality Enhancement Cell/ Dean Nursing Prof. Dr. Bilquis Shabbir, Prof. Dr. Shamila Ijaz Munir, Prof. Dr. Amna Euseph, faculty members, and postgraduate residents also joined the ceremony.

The Hon’ble Health Minister of Punjab SHC&ME Department, Prof. Dr. Javed Akram, along with the Vice Chancellor of FJMU, Prof. Dr. Khalid Masud Gondal, inaugurated the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Gynae Portal (KIOSK).

In the welcome address, Principal FJMC said, I feel honoured and privileged to welcome all to the inauguration of Pakistan’s first Artificial Intelligence-based Gynae portal (KIOSK) at Fatima Jinnah Institute of Mother & Child Health, FJMU/SGRH, Lahore. She said AI refers to the development of computer systems that can perform different tasks, which include various activities such as working, listening, problem solving, and language understanding. Regarding the management of patients, AI is playing a significant role in obstetrics & Gynaecology through diagnosis, predicted outcomes, and improving patient care. AI can assist healthcare providers in improving the quality of patient care, improving patient outcomes, and optimising source utilization. Regarding medical education, AI is playing a significant role by introducing innovative approaches to teaching, learning, and accessing medical professionals. It can also help in personalized learning, virtual reality, mental reality, diagnostics, and the usage of AI in medical education. Humans have created it. AI lacks the comprehensive understanding, empathy, and intuition that human doctors possess. It cannot replace the human-doctor relationship, cannot make ethical and moral decisions, and lacks adaptability, creativity, and interpersonal skills. Therefore, we should not view it as human vs. machine, but rather as a partnership in an effort to improve the further clinical outcome of the patient.

The esteemed Vice Chancellor, FJMU Prof. Dr. Khalid Masud Gondal, welcomed the Hon’ble Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Javed Akram, Health Minister, Punjab SHC&ME Department. He said that AI is an advanced technology, and the Hon’ble Minister of Health is very impressed with this technology. AI is the future of any professional and the necessity & need of the time. AI supports medical practitioners in the early diagnosis and treatment of patients. He expressed the vision of Hon’ble Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Javed Akram, Health Minister Punjab SHC&ME Department, to expand the Gynae sub-specialties, and insha’Allah, in 2024, we will start MS/FCPS programs in all four sub-specialties of Gynae & Obst. He further explained that almost 90–95% of the work in MCH has been completed and requested that the Govt. of Punjab fully inaugurate the MCH Block as early as possible.

Prof. Dr. Javed Akram, Health Minister, Punjab SHC&ME Department, said that this day is the most memorable day in the history of Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore. This initiative is the first of its type, all over Pakistan. Health care is not possible without information technology. AI is very important for our new health care providers. Machine learning is basically AI. It helps them learn and improve their clinical skills. It helps in the diagnosis of breast cancer. He also emphasized teaching and training, along with clinical work. He advised the heads of Gynae & Obst. Departments to upgrade their departments with thematic excellence. He highlighted the importance of breastfeeding, which is quite low in our society. Unfortunately, breastfeeding is supposed to be ignorance. Breastfeeding for one year reduces the chance of cancer by about 5%. He also wished to establish a daycare centre in MCH Block. He said I am very happy to inaugurate Pakistan’s first AI-based portal, KIOSK. He also announced to establish the Health Informatics Department and start the Program of Health Informatics at FJMU. He said that FJMU is the first paperless university. MCH، SGRH is the first paperless hospital, and FJMU is the first university in Pakistan to start a health informatics program soon, insha’Allah.

Dr. Abdul Samad Siddiqui, Deputy Director, PharmEvo, said this is all done for the ailing humanity. He said Professor Javed Akram has a great passion for serving the afflicted people.