China hosts WHA side event to promote digital intelligence for health care

China co-hosted a side event on Monday with Ethiopia, Peru, Tanzania, and Thailand during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, focusing on promoting digital intelligence applications for primary health care.

Titled "Empowering Primary Health Care with Digital Intelligence for Universal Health Coverage," the event discussed how digital and intelligent technologies can enhance the accessibility and equity of health services.

During the event, the Chinese delegation highlighted that China places great importance on public health and has adopted a health-first strategy. The country is actively advancing the Healthy China initiative and promoting the wide application of mobile internet, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the health sector.

As of 2024, China's average life expectancy had reached 79 years. Basic public health services have covered the entire population, over 90 percent of urban and rural residents can access medical facilities within 15 minutes, and basic medical insurance coverage remains stable at over 95 percent.

New technologies such as AI in health care are improving diagnostic and treatment capabilities of primary health care services. The establishment of regional diagnostic centers and telemedicine mechanisms is helping deliver more efficient and accessible services to patients. However, the development of such technologies also presents challenges such as privacy protection, which calls for strengthened global cooperation and the establishment of a shared framework, emphasized the Chinese delegation.

China proposed four key initiatives during the event, namely, promoting the broad application of digital intelligence, improving policy support systems, enhancing international cooperation and exchange, and strengthening security governance and standards development. China also called for all countries to develop digital health technologies as international public goods that benefit all humankind.

Iran's response to the latest U.S. proposed text for ending the war was sent on Sunday to the Pakistani mediator, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported.

According to the proposed plan, at this stage, negotiations will focus on ending the war in the region, the IRNA report said.

On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint strikes on Tehran and other cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders, and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. interests in the region.

A ceasefire took effect on April 8, followed by talks between Iranian and U.S. delegations in Islamabad, Pakistan that failed to produce a deal.