KARACHI: Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) in Karachi has taken a pioneering step in Pakistan’s public healthcare sector by launching an AI-powered chatbot in the Cyberknife Department’s OPD to streamline patient care, eliminate long waiting hours, and enhance the efficiency of initial medical evaluations. Under this new initiative, patients interact with the chatbot in their native language at dedicated AI rooms, where the system systematically records their personal details, medical history, symptoms, and complaints. The chatbot allows patients to repeat questions and explain their conditions at their own pace, bypassing the hesitation or time constraints often experienced with human staff. Following the interaction, the AI generates a comprehensive digital report containing preliminary findings and sends it directly to the relevant specialist or professor before the physical consultation. Currently, four specialized AI rooms are operational from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with future plans to expand the service to a 24/7 facility. Healthcare experts believe this digital transformation will significantly reduce patient wait times, alleviate pressure on medical staff, and set a new benchmark for digital healthcare in Pakistan’s public hospitals.
