Artificial Intelligence for Global Health: Experts to explore AI Integration in advancing Traditional Medicine

New Delhi: The two days Global Technical Consultation Group meeting on the theme: ''Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Global Health: Advancing Traditional Medicine'' in hybrid mode concluded on an optimistic note about launching the technical brief on AI in Traditional Medicine by October 2024. All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) organized the meeting, in collaboration with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) and the Department of Digital Health and Innovation (AI and digital frontiers unit) on 11th and 12th September 2024. 

This two-day event brought together 60 participants from 15 countries, alongside representatives from leading global organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Within the next one year, this cohort aims to come out with the A WHO-WIPO guidance on AI and IP with traditional medicine as a use case, and a global repository on traditional medicine with the use of AI and A Training Module on AI for traditional medicine experts.

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In inaugural session Secretary, Ministry of Ayush Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha emphasized the critical role of integrating digital technologies into healthcare. Highlighting the National Health Policy 2017, he underscored the inclusion of e-health, m-health, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance healthcare delivery systems. He also laid emphasis on the policy envisions leveraging these tools to promote the exchange of information about Ayush services and practitioners, bolstering traditional community healthcare.

Vaidya Kotecha elaborated on the vision of Ayush Grid as a comprehensive IT backbone for India's traditional medicine sector, in line with the principles of Ayushman Bharat. The Ayush Grid aims to streamline the integration of modern digital tools with traditional medicine systems, further advancing India's healthcare infrastructure.

Prof. Tanuja Nesari, Director of AIIA, remarked, “This global consultation is an invaluable opportunity to refine the draft policy on AI in traditional medicine. With inputs from diverse regions and sectors, we are optimistic about launching the technical brief by October 2024.”

Dr. Manoj Jhalani, Director of Health Systems at WHO SEARO pointed out that AI, through advanced data analytics, can lead to the discovery of new therapeutic approaches and optimization of existing treatments, thereby enhancing the global relevance of traditional medicine.

Mr. Sameer Pujari, Lead (AI and Digital Frontiers), Digital Health and Innovations, WHO, focused on the work being done at WHO through the WHO-ITU-WIPO led Global Initiative on AI for Health. The initiative enables, facilitates, and implements AI in health through normative products, such as the upcoming technical brief on the use of AI in traditional medicine, building a community of practice to facilitate exchange of knowledge, and working with governments for proper implementation of policies to govern AI in health.

Dr. Karthik Adappa, Regional Advisor, Digital Health, WHO SEARO, highlighted the rapid growth of AI in health, with persisting inequities. Referring to the Southeast Asia Region’s Government AI readiness index, the experts witnessed exacerbating divide between developed countries and developing and under-developed countries, shedding light on the challenges, infrastructural limitations, privacy concerns and the need for an ethical AI.

The event was also graced by distinguished guests, including Fei Jiao from WIPO/UN;Maki Kajiwara, Technical Officer WHO TMC; Dr Jeremy Y.Ng-Postdoctoral Fellow, from Canada; Dr Kai Siang- from Malaysia; Dipika Mishra from AIIMS; Manjeet Singh from GTMC; Manishra Shridhar IP expert WHO; Rajeshwari Singh, Consultant, (AI and Digital Frontiers), Digital Health and Innovations, WHO; Kanika Kalra, Technical Officer, (AI and Digital Frontiers), Digital Health and Innovations, WHO; Representatives from organizations like WIPO, the Association of Medical Reporting Organisations (AMRO), and leading Contract Research Organizations (CROs).

The meeting sets the stage for broader international collaboration in harnessing AI for global health, while promoting the advancement of traditional medicine practices worldwide.

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