Gaps drive AI push at private hospitals

According to The Express Tribune, private hospitals in Pakistan are speeding up investment in artificial intelligence, cloud platforms and data analytics as rivals compete harder. The goal is to connect in-person care with digital services and meet growing demand for global-standard treatment. Novacare, a hospital known for internationally accredited care, has formed a technology alliance with 10Pearls, an AI-focused digital engineering firm.

The move responds to weak spots in the health system. Health spending stays below 3% of GDP, leaving public facilities overloaded and private providers pushed to fill the shortfall. Citing World Bank estimates, there is one doctor for every 833 people versus a worldwide figure of one per 536. A share above 31% of adults has diabetes, among the highest in the region.

Zeeshan Aftab of 10Pearls said digital systems could shorten waits, lower consultation and testing costs, and supply more accurate data for policymakers. He pointed to imaging systems that flag breast cancer on mammograms up to six years ahead of human reviewers in roughly 20% of cases. Aftab also named the lack of a shared electronic health record network across hospitals and the missing broad privacy statute among the toughest obstacles to interoperability.