KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is committed to integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare and ensuring all citizens have equitable access to health services.
Digital Health Department director Dr Maheshwara Rao Appannan said the ministry was exploring using AI applications in its operations.
He believed it was important to take calculated risks in a changing landscape.
He acknowledged that many health facilities faced connectivity challenges, including poor computer connectivity in some clinics.
He said the ministry was working closely with several agencies to address these issues.
"One fundamental system we need across all our facilities, not just hospitals and clinics, but also dental clinics, is an electronic medical record system.
"Once these records are interoperable, they will provide valuable data for decision-making and enable advanced AI applications.
"In healthcare, technology must prioritise patient safety. However, we must also be bold in embracing new technologies. It's now or never."
He said this during the International Regulatory Conference at a session titled "The connected care revolution: building a seamless, meaningful, and inclusive global healthcare ecosystem".
Dr Maheshwara said Malaysia began exploring AI in the early 2000s with research initiatives.
"Today, AI is widely applied in areas like radiology, where it helps doctors interpret X-rays more efficiently, allowing them to focus on other critical tasks."
He said AI could also be used to address mental health challenges, provided that solutions were designed to connect patients with the necessary support.
"For example, if an AI system identifies severe depression in a patient, there must be a clear next step, such as automatically scheduling an appointment with a psychiatrist."
He said the Health White Paper issued in 2023 prioritised equity in healthcare and stressed on patient involvement in decision-making and system design.
"We realised that patients must always be considered in every decision and system design. Our focus is now on user-centricity, catering to healthy individuals and those needing care.
"Our responsibility is to provide healthcare services for everyone in Malaysia, including those living in remote areas."
He said the ministry aimed to improve telemedicine services, particularly for remote areas, like in Sabah and Sarawak, where residents often struggle to access specialist care, even in urban centres.
"We want to ensure patients don't have to travel hundreds of kilometres from their homes just to consult a doctor for routine ailments.
"This is how we are working towards inclusivity and equity in healthcare to ensure no one is left behind."