Novartis Pharmaceutical, in collaboration with Pakistan Digital Health Initiative (PDHI) and National Incubation Centre (NIC), organised Pakistan Digital Health Day here in Karachi at NIC. The event was organised in an effort to leverage digital initiatives that can extend people's lives and change the healthcare ecosystem of Pakistan.
The event comprised of talks by featured speakers and panel discussions with personalities belonging to pharmaceutical, healthcare and digital backgrounds. The highlight of the event was presentations by health based tech startups who were featured at the event and got an opportunity to share their business vision. Number of country's top startups were identified who are partnering and adding value towards future of Pakistan's digital health patient and out-patient care segments.
In his welcome note, Sufyan Usmani, Head of Commercial & Communication, Novartis, shared the objectives of the digital initiatives and the collaboration with health based tech startups and companies. He also highlighted the contribution of Novartis as one of the top healthcare organizations in Pakistan.
While sharing his views on digital health ecosystem in Pakistan, Dr Zakiuddin Ahmed CEO, Digital Care, Program Director - Digital Health, King Saud University said, "Studies have shown that around the world healthcare technology will exceed the market size of $600 billion by 2021. Global healthcare systems are embracing new technologies and undergoing massive transformation, however, Pakistan has yet to catch up. Digital technology enables access of healthcare easier in developing economies such as Pakistan, where a major chunk of population resides in far-flung areas. Therefore, it is essential that we make the most of digital healthcare technologies to address key medical needs of the populace."
Dr Kamran Iqbal, Head of Initiatives, PDHI, said, "We are pleased to launch Pakistan Digital Health Initiative (PDHI) today as we strongly believe that academia, industry and government coalition for digital health innovation and enterprise is extremely important."