Call to build modern healthcare through the application of artificial intelligence

He made the call while speaking as chief guest at the closing ceremony of the 138th and 139th special foundation training courses of the BCS (Health) Cadre, organized by the National Development and Planning Academy in Nilkhet, Dhaka, on Monday. A total of 80 trainees participated in the two courses.

The adviser said artificial intelligence is creating new possibilities in disease diagnosis, treatment management, and preparing drug prescriptions. At the same time, robotic surgery and genetic research are making healthcare more advanced. Along with monitoring the progress of these technologies, the country's doctors must also come forward to innovate new methods and services.

He called on physicians to build a culture of research, innovation, and data-driven decision-making. He advised them to work on improving quality by analyzing the successes and failures of healthcare services, alongside following international standards.

Ismail Zabiullah said implementing the government's election manifesto in the health sector is the moral responsibility of officials. Effective use of technology must be ensured so that no one is deprived of treatment due to lack of money. He also said the current government has kept the second-highest allocation in the budget, giving priority to the health sector.

He further said initiatives are being taken to upgrade upazila health complexes to 150 beds. The government aims to raise health sector allocation to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the next few years. He expressed hope that through this, it will be possible to easily provide quality healthcare to people in remote areas and reduce the tendency to head to cities for primary treatment.

Additional Director General of the academy Sayma Afroz delivered the welcome address at the event. Later, the adviser handed over certificates to the trainees and commemorative mementos to the award winners. Faculty members and officials of the institution were present at the event presided over by Academy Director General Md. Khairul Kabir Menon.