Punjab Government And Pgimer To Promote Artificial Intelligence In Health Sector-Rakesh Verma
Emphasises Need For Close Collaboration Between Research Institutions In Region To Strengthen Artificial Intelligence
5 Dariya News
Chandigarh 01-Oct-2019
Focusing on the institutional strength of the region to meet the challenges of ‘Artificial Intelligence’ sector, the Punjab Government and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research have agreed to jointly promote Artificial Intelligence in the Health Sector.Disclosing this here today, the Principal Secretary Science, Technology and Environment Rakesh Verma said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) was an efficacious mechanism to address health related issues referring AI as the latest and most powerful 4th Industrial revolution after the earlier three revolutions of coal & steam, electricity & electronics and computers, which brought phenomenal transformation in the global development. He said this endeavor of promoting AI would prove to be a milestone in ensuring holistic growth of the health sector in the state.The Principal Secretary was addressing the doctors and scientists at one day Symposium on Application of AI in Biomedical Instrumentation and Certification of Biomedical devices organized by Biomedical Devices and Instrument Hub, PGIMER, Chandigarh. He emphasized that the institutional strength of Medical Device Hub at PGI, high end instrumentation and expertise at IIT Ropar, Centre of Excellence at Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Mohali on AI for startups, etc to meet the emerging requirements of this sector. Further, Global Innovation Hub and Lifesciences Park being set up at Mohali will also have special focus to promote AI and Medical Devices, he added.Presenting details about recently launched Mission Innovate and Mission Tandrust Punjab 2.0, he highlighted the significance and role of AI to scientifically and more accurately deal with the highly complex health related problems.He also pointed out that India’s per capita expenditure on healthcare and medical devices was far below against the global average and currently 70–75% medical devices were being imported. Further, medical devices sector is bound to grow due to various factors and India, given its strengths and characteristics, has the potential to position itself among leaders on the global AI map – with a unique brand of #AIforAll, he added.On this occasion, the Director, PGIMER Dr. Jagat Ram acknowledged the initiatives of Punjab Government and thanked Principal Secretary, Science, Technology & Environment for actively involving the institute in its endeavor to strengthen research & innovation ecosystem.