From the Declaration of Independence to movements against inequality, the shared goal has always been the promise of equality, human dignity, and social justice. To fulfill this commitment, the establishment of social justice in the health sector can significantly benefit from the integration of information technology. Experts have emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the use of generative AI, such as GPT, in healthcare delivery, alongside adopting artificial intelligence technologies, to ensure access to healthcare at the grassroots level.
According to specialists, artificial intelligence (AI) can bridge the existing disparity between rural and urban healthcare by addressing the doctor-to-patient ratio imbalance, protecting the confidentiality of health information, and eliminating the stigma, fear, and doubts associated with seeking medical care. Using GPT and other advanced health technologies, community health workers, such as pharmacy staff or local healthcare providers, can offer medical advice comparable to that of urban doctors. Hence, it is essential to develop their skills in using these technologies while also creating awareness among patients about the benefits of such tools.
In this regard, Liakat Ali, founder of Protique Foundation and a member of the interim government’s Health Sector Reform Commission, stressed the need to redefine public health services as community empowerment rather than limiting healthcare to a fundamental right. He also emphasized bringing public health services under a legally binding framework.
He stated, “The primary healthcare package must go beyond traditional issues of maternal mortality, child mortality, and childcare to include non-communicable disease (NCD) care and other aspects under an emergency care package. The state must be compelled to take this responsibility. The constitution includes a trick regarding fundamental rights. In Schedule 2, these rights are described as principles of state policy, with an early disclaimer stating, ‘These are not judicially enforceable.’ As a result, if the right is not fulfilled, you cannot seek legal redress. Therefore, our main target should be to create obligations for the state, even if these are not judicially enforceable.”
