Keynote Talk: The Need for Medical Engineering and Science for Affordable and Accessible Healthcare for Al

Abstract:  Medical engineering and science are increasingly interconnected with healthcare, creating new possibilities in prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and healthcare delivery. Technology is most valuable when it complements good health and addresses the real needs of people and society. A fundamental principle applicable to medicine, engineering, science and every profession is: “Do Right at First Time, Because Repair and Redo Are Costly Affairs.” Doing things correctly at the outset helps reduce avoidable errors, wastage, complications and additional costs. The 7D approach—Document, Display, Demonstrate, Disseminate, Dialogue, Decide and Deliver— offers a simple framework for transforming knowledge and experience into meaningful outcomes. Medical engineering and science can play a vital role in developing simple, portable, affordable and user-friendly health-screening tools that allow individuals to monitor basic health parameters regularly in their everyday lives. Such tools can support early identification of abnormalities, promote preventive healthcare and reduce the need to visit healthcare providers merely for routine measurements, while professional medical advice remains essential whenever further evaluation is required. The focus remains on translating scientific knowledge and technological innovation into accessible, practical and people-centred healthcare solutions, irrespective of educational or economic status, so that the benefits of medical engineering and science contribute meaningfully to healthcare for all.