Sherab Lhamo

International experts in medicine, technology, and public health convened to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in Bhutan’s healthcare system at the Bhutan Innovation Forum yesterday.

The panel discussion highlighted how AI can enable precision medicine, enhance early diagnosis, facilitate remote monitoring, and accelerate drug discovery. One of the key areas of the discussion was the use of AI for early disease detection.

The Professor of Medicine from the University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Marina Garassino suggested focusing on prevention, monitoring and creating Biohub.  “By utilising AI for early diagnosis, we can save lives and reduce healthcare costs,” she said.

She advocated for remote monitoring devices, which could support patients in rural areas, allowing them to visit hospitals only when absolutely necessary.

She further discussed the potential of green energy to support a Biohub that would serve as a bio-repository of data for drug discovery, attracting pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders to Bhutan.

Professor of Brain Science from Brown University, Frederike Petzschner, outlined three primary areas where AI is advancing healthcare services, all centered around precision medicine. This approach focuses on delivering the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, utilizing digital tools for preventative care.

She highlighted a project for early skin cancer detection, where patients can take photos of their skin to receive risk assessments, determining whether they need to consult a doctor.

She explained how patients with diabetes can be remotely supervised to ensure their treatments are effective, thereby reducing unnecessary hospital visits.

In the context of therapeutics, she noted that devices like smartphones could be leveraged for treatment, given their widespread availability.

The professor and founder of InnovaCyclics from Yale University, Fahmeed Hyder, shared the importance of infrastructure and human capital in implementing AI in healthcare, stressing on the need for a robust healthcare system and a skilled workforce to ensure the successful integration of AI technologies.

The panellists also raised critical issues regarding data privacy and validation in AI development, advocating for secure methods to anonymise patient data and ensure privacy protection.

Fahmeed Hyder encouraged creating a favourable environment for attracting and retaining skilled professionals in the field of AI and healthcare. “So these skilled professionals can be employed to handle the challenges of creating this marriage between the biomedical science innovations that would be aided by AI.”

Frederike Petzschner suggested a public healthcare system that prioritises patient’s well-being above all else. Maximising the meaningful time they spend with each patient, and using AI to automate routine tasks and streamline processes, doctors can focus on providing personalised care and building stronger relationships with their patients.

The discussion also touched on Gelephu Mindfulness City and the potential for integrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare practices. The panellists underscored the importance of holistic care spaces that address physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, while also advocating for personalized treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs and preferences.