Accra:Gulf Hotel's Convention Centre Lieutenant General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), has inaugurated the "Artificial Intelligence and Pharmaceutical Economics Towards Sustainable Healthcare System" (AIPE) conference. The event marks a significant step towards integrating AI in the healthcare sector.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad Hassan, Minister of Health, was present at the conference. During the opening address, Lt. Gen. Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah highlighted the crucial role of artificial intelligence in advancing pharmaceutical economics, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and fostering innovation for sustainable healthcare systems.
The SCH Chairman emphasized AI's potential in ensuring continuous availability of medicines, improving supply chain efficiency, and strengthening inventory management. He explained that AI systems can analyze data such as medicine consumption rates and seasonal disease patterns, which allows for accurate forecasting of needs, beyond traditional estimates.
AI can support the supply chain by optimizing order and delivery schedules and tracking products from suppliers to patients, noted Lt. Gen. Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah. Furthermore, these technologies can improve inventory management by determining optimal stock levels and issuing alerts for essential medicines.
The chairman stressed that AI serves as a decision-support tool, reinforcing supply chain resilience and responsiveness. Successful implementation of AI requires skilled personnel, accurate data, and robust digital infrastructure.
Dr. Aysha Mubarak Bu Onuq, Chairperson of the Conference Organising Committee, stated that hosting the conference aligns with Bahrain's vision of developing a sustainable and efficient healthcare system. She highlighted AI's strategic opportunity to enhance healthcare efficiency by addressing supply chain challenges and accelerating pharmaceutical research and innovation.