Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has decided to introduce an AI-powered multi-disease scanner in Punjab as part of efforts to modernise healthcare services and facilitate faster and more effective screening and diagnosis of diseases. The chief minister was given a detailed briefing on the advanced technology during a meeting with executives of the Chinese technology company Alibaba, said a handout issued here on Sunday. She took keen interest in the proposed AI-powered scanning solution and directed the health authorities to prepare a pilot project for its introduction in Punjab.
The AI-powered multi-disease screening solution, based on non-contrast CT technology, has the potential to screen for multiple diseases within around two minutes. The system could assist healthcare professionals in disease screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment planning and subsequent management. According to the briefing, the technology could facilitate early screening and detection of several serious diseases, including pancreatic, liver, gastric, esophageal and colorectal cancers.
It can also support assessment of cardiovascular disease risks and help evaluate muscle and body-fat composition. The system could further assist in the assessment of osteoporosis and fatty liver disease, offering additional diagnostic information that can support timely medical intervention. The AI-powered technology was intended to complement rather than replace conventional diagnostic procedures, providing healthcare professionals with an additional tool to accelerate the diagnostic process and improve early identification of potential health conditions.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met a high-level delegation of Alibaba Cloud here on Sunday, with the Chinese technology giant expressing keen interest in Punjab's IT sector and praising the provincial government's initiatives for artificial intelligence (AI)-based governance. According to an official handout issued here, the meeting discussed a potential strategic partnership between the Punjab government and Alibaba Cloud for utilising AI in public services, specifically in agriculture, healthcare, socio-economic programs, and climate forecasting.