Manila, Philippines–On August 3, 2024, Dr. Alvin Marcelo, a Director of the Asia eHealth Information Network (AeHIN), delivered an insightful presentation on “AI and Health Equity” at the Philippine Society of General Surgeons’ 22nd surgical forum “Cutting Edge Surgery: Revolutionizing towards Health Equity” held at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.

Dr. Marcelo highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly in addressing health disparities and promoting equity. He also emphasized the crucial role of robust health data governance principles in ensuring the ethical and effective implementation of AI technologies, especially when navigating through uncertainties in the healthcare landscape.

Dr. Marcelo’s presentation underscored the necessity of integrating AI with strong ethical guidelines and governance frameworks to foster a more equitable healthcare system, and his insights provided valuable guidance for healthcare professionals and policymakers working to harness the power of AI for the benefit of all.

The key points presented were:

AI’s Role in Health Equity

  • AI can significantly improve access to healthcare services by optimizing resource allocation and personalizing patient care.
  • AI tools can help identify and address gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities.

Challenges and Risks

  • The implementation of AI must be approached with caution to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities or introducing new biases in healthcare systems.
  • Ensuring data privacy and security is paramount in maintaining public trust in AI-driven healthcare solutions.

Importance of Health Data Governance

  • Dr. Marcelo stressed the importance of adhering to health data governance principles to guide the ethical use of AI.
  • These principles provide a framework for managing data responsibly, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and accountability in AI applications.

Navigating Uncertainty

  • In times of uncertainty, clear and effective data governance can help healthcare organizations make informed decisions and maintain ethical standards.
  • Dr. Marcelo called for the development of adaptive governance models that can evolve alongside rapidly advancing technologies.

For more information on health data governance principles and their application in healthcare, visit healthdataprinciples.org