Iranian health officials discuss AI integration and medical quality

During a ceremony at Sina Hospital, Shahin Akhundzadeh, Deputy for Research and Technology at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the potential of artificial intelligence in medical research, including drug development, radiology, pathology, and dermatology. He noted that AI can assist in modeling disease outbreaks and analyzing public health data. However, Akhundzadeh warned that patient confidentiality must be protected and that sensitive data should not be shared with AI systems. He stressed that researchers remain scientifically, ethically, and legally responsible for all AI-assisted work.

Separately, Mohammad Raisizadeh, head of the Medical Council of Iran, addressed the importance of maintaining high standards in medical education. Speaking at a pathology and laboratory medicine conference, Raisizadeh questioned the rapid expansion of medical faculties, arguing that increasing capacity without ensuring quality threatens the future of the healthcare system. He also highlighted the economic challenges facing the sector, noting that rising equipment costs and international sanctions on pharmaceuticals are complicating the delivery of healthcare services.