The Aga Khan University hosted its Health-Tech Summit this week with caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and other top government officials in attendance. Held in collaboration with AIM consulting, the two-day event brought together health care and technology leaders from across Pakistan and around the world to explore how technology can transform health care, including for low-income populations.
“While we strive to provide equitable health services to our citizens, we deeply appreciate the role of the philanthropic as well as the private sector,” Prime Minister Kakar said. “We all know AKU as a leader in education, research, healthcare delivery and now, with its latest venture, in the arts and sciences” Prime Minister Kakar said. “I express my gratitude to AKU for the invitation and the opportunity to be part of this Health-Tech Summit. Together, let us forge a path towards a healthier, technologically-empowered future for Pakistan.”
AKU is seeking to utilize a range of technologies to enhance preventive and curative care. University researchers are working to develop
gene-editing therapies for inherited blood disorders; seeking to use artificial intelligence to improve maternal and child health; implementing an electronic
health records system at its hospitals in both Nairobi and Karachi; and pioneering the use of
virtual-reality to train health professionals in Pakistan. An
award-winning mobile app that AKU developed for community health workers is being widely used in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Addressing conference attendees, Prime Minister Kakar called AKU “a national asset for Pakistan” and highlighted the care it delivered to thousands of individuals during the pandemic and the floods, as well as the support it provided to government health care providers and policymakers.
“Our goal at AKU is to have an impact that goes far beyond our campuses.” Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President, Aga Khan University said. “We believe strong partnerships with government are crucial to create a lasting impact on public health and education, particularly through the application of innovative technologies.”
In addition to the Prime Minister, the Summit was attended by caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh Justice (R) Maqbool Baqar, and caretaker Sindh Health Minister Dr Saad Khalid Niaz, as well as Lt. Gen. (R) Dr. Nigar Johar Khan HI TI, the first woman in Pakistan to reach the rank of lieutenant-general.
Speakers included Harvard University Chief Information Officer Klara Jelinkova; Tasleem Nimjee, Former Chief Medical Innovation Officer at Humber River Health, one of Canada’s largest regional acute-care hospitals; and health-tech entrepreneur Khan M. Siddiqui, CEO of U.S.-based HOPPR and an AKU graduate. Other speakers and panelists included Dr. Jean-Pierre Auffret, President, International Academy of CIO, Martin Roll, Harvard Board Advisor, George Patsis, CEO, Obrela Corporation and Anatoly Motkin, Founder & President, StrategEast.
While on campus, Prime Minister Kakar met with AKU students from various programmes, including the newly launched Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He also viewed the University’s multimedia exhibition, ‘A Transformative Vision’, which explores the University’s 40-year journey.
“AKU’s impact is a testament to the vision and generosity of His Highness the Aga Khan,” Prime Minister Kakar said. “His Highness has always believed that the people of Pakistan deserve the very best in health and education. For 40 years he has been acting on that belief and inspiring countless other people to do so. It is a pleasure to be able to publicly thank His Highness for his leadership.”