January 29, 2025 – The Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP) Foundation participated in the Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC) 2025, held from January 28 to February 2, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. This global event brought together health experts and leaders from the public, private, and civil society sectors in health, including researchers, health professionals, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and strategies for addressing urgent health challenges through innovation, technology, and environmental considerations under the theme “Harnessing Technologies in an Age of AI to Build a Healthier World.”
HITAP Foundation hosted a side meeting, “Is AI a panacea for the health sector? Navigating the Barriers to Adopt AI to Strengthen Health Systems and Empower Limited Resource Settings,” where international experts discussed the complex landscape of AI in healthcare. This meeting served as a valuable platform for exploring the multifaceted challenges and opportunities presented by AI. Speakers addressed key issues such as data security and privacy, regulatory frameworks, and equity and ethical governance, contributing to the discussion of practical solutions for responsible AI implementation. The goal was to pave the way for AI’s effective integration into health systems worldwide and ensure its benefits reach all populations.
In addition to hosting the side meeting, Sarin KC, Head of the Environmental Economics Unit at HITAP Foundation, was invited to speak at the session titled “Digital Frontiers: Harnessing AI and Digital Technologies to Bridge Climate Action and Health Equity.” In his talk, Sarin shared key insights on the barriers to AI adoption in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). He highlighted challenges such as fragmented data systems, lack of standardized datasets, health inequalities, the digital divide, funding constraints, and the complexities of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Sarin emphasized the urgent need for cross-sector cooperation and integrated infrastructure to maximize AI’s impact on healthcare and climate initiatives. Sarin stated.
Additionally, HITAP Foundation participated in a side meeting “Navigating the Future: AI and Global Health Diplomacy hosted by IHPP,” where the interesting dimension of AI and global health diplomacy was discussed by expertise with real cases in global health process such as Sweden, Switzerland, Malaysia, Lao PDR, and Thailand. AI technology with diplomacy can navigate the ethical, equitable, and effective use in global health, especially AI is the new hope of LMICs.
PMAC 2025 continues until February 2, 2025, providing further opportunities for global collaboration on shaping the future of healthcare. HITAP Foundation remains committed to overcoming challenges in AI adoption and advancing technology-driven solutions for a healthier world.
Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program Foundation
Head Office : 88/22 Moo 4, 6th Building, 6th Floor, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Road, Taladkwan Subdistrict, Muang Nonthaburi District, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
Tel. : +662-590-4549, +662-590-4374-5
Fax : +662-590-4369
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.hitap.net
