Charting a path toward an AI-enabled healthcare system, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare on 1 June 2026 in the City of Manila. The activity forms part of the initiatives of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Applications of Advanced Technology in the Delivery of Health Care Services under the Special Concerns Program (SCP).
Led by Academician Jaime C. Montoya, the FGD tackled key issues concerning the application of AI in healthcare, including: (1) challenges in digital infrastructure, (2) varying levels of capacity and adoption of digital technologies among healthcare practitioners, (3) legislative gaps in digital health and AI governance, and (4) the widening disparity in the application of digital health and AI in healthcare service delivery between urban and rural areas.
Recognizing that the practice of medicine continues to evolve with the emergence of AI and the advancement of digital health technologies, the FGD brought together experts from government agencies, public and private hospitals, and academic institutions. The discussion was co-moderated by Dr. Nathaniel Orillaza, Jr., and NAST PHL Corresponding Member Gonzalo C. Serafica.The participants emphasized the need for interoperable health information systems to strengthen the implementation of universal healthcare in the country. Given the varying levels of AI and digital technology adoption across hospitals nationwide, the need to develop high-quality, localized databases that support healthcare data interoperability and governance has become increasingly important.
In reviewing the current operations of healthcare institutions, the participants noted that while digital health technologies, such as electronic medical record systems, have achieved a relatively high level of functionality, AI technologies have yet to be fully integrated into the Philippine healthcare system. Infrastructure disparities persist, hindering the adoption of standardized approaches to health data management and healthcare service delivery across hospitals nationwide.
With the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act, current initiatives such as the Local Health Information Exchange are being reviewed to ensure compliance with interoperability standards and facilitate the integration of local government unit systems with those of the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth. As a result, the need for robust data analysis, management, and governance emerged as a key recommendation from the FGD.
The participants maintained that a national health information exchange framework that supports interoperability, alongside an efficient hospital records recognition system, must be established. To support this initiative, they recommended that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) play a central role in developing the digital infrastructure necessary for national health data exchange, while the DOH and PhilHealth remain accountable for health data governance.
To strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers and practitioners to utilize AI technologies, the participants highlighted the importance of clearly communicating the rationale for AI adoption in healthcare. An understanding of how AI works, as well as its role and applications in healthcare, should begin with healthcare professionals and subsequently be conveyed to patients. This approach can help bridge potential distrust associated with emerging technologies and ongoing digital transformation. Moreover, each medical society's position on AI adoption should also be considered.
The participants likewise explored integrating AI fluency, including ethical AI use, into medical education. They stressed the importance of building AI literacy and developing healthcare practitioners' capacity to critically assess AI tools, particularly to address concerns related to data privacy and responsible AI use in healthcare.
The use of AI as a tool for improving healthcare services must also be continuously monitored and regulated. To address this concern, the participants recommended establishing clear policies and guidelines, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) serving as the regulatory body responsible for evaluating and approving AI-enabled medical devices, such as diagnostic tools, before deployment.
To ensure that AI-enabled medical devices and digital health technologies do not further widen existing gaps in healthcare delivery between urban and rural areas, emphasis must be placed on patient-centered care and active stakeholder engagement. The participants cited co-creation among experts, healthcare practitioners, and patients as a beneficial approach in the development of digital health technologies. Furthermore, the application of AI in healthcare must always be complemented by human judgment.
Grounded in the principles of health data interoperability, robust digital health infrastructure, and equitable healthcare delivery amid digital transformation, the FGD concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for localized health data, continuous regulation of AI-enabled medical technologies, and the provision of quality healthcare services that reach vulnerable populations (Danica T. Salcedo/NAST PHL).
The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines, is an attached agency to the Department of Science and Technology, mandated by law (Executive Order 818 s.1982) to serve as an adviser to the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the Cabinet on policies concerning science and technology in the country. For more updates, follow NAST PHL’s (@nastphl) social media accounts.