Equitable medical access through smart technology

International healthcare systems are under increasing strain, facing challenges ranging from aging populations to the rising burden of chronic diseases and inadequate access to medical care. While each country grapples with its own set of issues, there are common aspects that transcend borders: inefficiency, accessibility and cost. In China, whose nearly one-third of the population is expected to be 60 or above by 2035, the challenge is particularly severe.

The good news is that AI-driven innovations are already making an impact, from specialized testing centers to advanced diagnostic systems implemented across hospitals. These advancements highlight AI's potential to transform public health systems. Yet AI and digital health tools will only be as effective as the systems that support them.

AI allows a country's healthcare system to zero in the most pressing issues, preventing dispersion of resources across uncoordinated, unsuccessful efforts. This focus is especially crucial for rural communities, low-income groups and people in rapidly urbanizing regions, which often suffer from under-resourced healthcare infrastructure and the perpetual challenge of infectious diseases. In such environments, healthcare practitioners are constantly burdened by systemic flaws, which limit their ability to fully concentrate on patient care.