LAHORE: The government is making Punjab a hub of healthcare innovation with smart hospitals, telemedicine services, artificial intelligence and evidence-based clinical practices.

This was stated by Provincial Health Minister Khwaja Salman Rafique while speaking as a special guest at the National Research and Innovation Conference 2025 at the King Edward Medical University (KEMU).

The minister visited various medical stalls and appreciated the efforts of the students. He said the government was working towards innovation, research and technology.

He said the government had launched historic projects like the chief minister`s children`s heart surgery programme, dialysis programme and special initiative for transplant programme, clinic on wheels and field hospitals.

He said, `We are providing artificial intelligence education in undergraduate medical colleges, conducting health data management and research-based courses.

He said artificial intelligence and modern research labs were being established in medical colleges and medical research fellowships were being promoted across the province.

The minister also distributed cash prizes, gold medals and certificates of appreciation to the outstanding students in various academic competitions at the end of the conference.