PMDC, SZABMU Hail IMDC’s Landmark Initiative to Advance AI in Healthcare Education

Staff Report 

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has endorsed Islamabad Medical & Dental College’s (IMDC) initiative to advance Artificial Intelligence in healthcare education, with PMDC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj commending the institution’s efforts to prepare healthcare professionals for a rapidly changing medical landscape.

The PMDC’s recognition was expressed at the certificate-awarding ceremony of IMDC’s first Clinical AI Healthcare Certificate Program, conducted in collaboration with Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU). The four-week, weekend-based program brought together 24 medical and dental students and healthcare professionals for a 10-credit-hour course in practical AI applications in healthcare.

Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj attended as Chief Guest, accompanied by PMDC Registrar Brig. (R) Dr. Syed Rehan Naqvi and Director Academics Dr. Sitara. SZABMU was represented by Registrar Prof. Dr. Syed Tanseer Asghar and Head of Medical Education Dr. Fauzia Sultana.

Endorsing IMDC’s initiative and commitment to innovation, Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj emphasized the importance of keeping medical education aligned with the evolving needs of the profession and healthcare system. Senior PMDC and SZABMU representatives also visited IMDC’s state-of-the-art computer laboratory established for Clinical AI training. SZABMU management reaffirmed its support for IMDC’s pioneering Clinical AI initiative and its commitment to a long-term academic partnership with IMDC in AI education, research and innovation. IMDC welcomed the confidence and encouragement of PMDC, reaffirming its commitment to advancing AI in healthcare education in alignment with the evolving direction and roadmap of PMDC and the Government of Pakistan for innovation and the future of medical education.

Yasir Khan Niazi, Group CEO of GAK HealthCare International and IMDC, said Pakistan was entering a new era in healthcare as Artificial Intelligence rapidly transformed the way healthcare is delivered worldwide.

“AI is no longer the future of healthcare; it is already redefining it. The institutions that understand this transformation today will shape the healthcare of tomorrow.” “The completion of our first Clinical AI cohort is the first milestone in our long-term vision for IMDC to lead this transformation. We are moving beyond teaching AI as a new subject towards leading the integration of AI, digital medicine and emerging technologies across medical, dental, nursing and allied health sciences education, preparing graduates not simply to use tomorrow’s technologies, but to innovate and excel with them.”

“Ultimately, technology must make quality healthcare more accessible. We envision a connected healthcare ecosystem where major hospitals, local clinics and general practitioners can harness AI and global medical advances to deliver timely, high-quality care. That is how we see technology advancing our vision of Quality Healthcare for All,” he said.

The initiative is supported academically by Dr. Muhammad Usman Hadi of Ulster University, Belfast, UK, and Adjunct Professor of AI at IMDC, bringing international academic expertise to the institution’s Clinical AI education and development.

Imran Ali Ghouri, Head of IMDC Communication, said that “Building on this milestone, IMDC is advancing its Center for AI in Healthcare as a platform for Clinical AI education, applied research, innovation and collaboration, while expanding its AI programs and research. The continued support of PMDC and collaboration with SZABMU provide a strong institutional foundation for the next phase, positioning IMDC to lead the integration of AI into healthcare education, prepare professionals for global advances in the field, and create new opportunities for them to excel in Pakistan and on the international stage.”