The 2nd Republican Scientific and Practical Conference “Digital Medicine 4.0: Problems, Opportunities, and Prospects” was held at the Institute of Information Technology of the Ministry of Science and Education. The event was organized by the Ministry of Health, the Milli Majlis Health Committee, Azerbaijan Medical University, National Oncology Center, Azerbaijan Technical University, the Institute of Biophysics, and the Institute of Information Technology.
The conference was attended by heads of relevant state agencies of the country, higher education institutions, scientists and specialists from ANAS, as well as scientific research institutes of the Ministry of Science and Education, and media representatives.
The aim of the conference is to raise awareness of the urgent need to address science-intensive challenges in Azerbaijan’s healthcare sector amid digital transformation. These include the collection, processing, and exchange of large volumes of digital medical data, the development and implementation of AI-powered medical information systems, and the formation of a conceptual and technological framework for modernizing the country’s healthcare infrastructure. The event also aimed to serve as an intellectual platform for dialogue on existing problems, emerging opportunities, and future prospects in the context of Industry 4.0.
In the opening ceremony, Academician Rasim Alguliyev, Vice-President of ANAS and Director General of the Institute of Information Technology, emphasized the significance of the conference in advancing research, addressing current challenges, and setting future priorities in digital medicine.
He noted that the rapid digitalization of Azerbaijan’s healthcare sector, major infrastructure projects, and the need for skilled professionals made such an event essential. Highlighting the impact of the Fifth Industrial Revolution and AI, he pointed to key national strategies—such as the Digital Development Concept and Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2025–2028—which assign vital roles to scientists and experts.
Alguliyev also stressed the growing relevance of AI in medicine and the urgent need to train specialists in medical informatics, data science, digital healthcare, cybersecurity, and digital forensics.
Deputy Minister of Health, Associate Professor Nadir Zeynalov, highlighted that digitalization has become integral to all aspects of life, including healthcare. “Digital tools and expert systems are now widely used to support diagnosis and clinical decision-making, offering strategic advantages in medical practice”, he noted.
Academician Irada Huseynova, Vice-President of ANAS, emphasized the growing role of AI in all areas of life, including medicine. She highlighted the importance of integrating AI with bioinformatics, genomics, and molecular engineering. Huseynova also stressed the need to develop a national system for collecting genetic and medical data to improve diagnosis, healthcare efficiency, and resource use.
Rufat Hajialibeyov, Advisor to the Minister of Health, emphasized the vital role of digital healthcare in advancing national digitalization goals and improving citizens’ quality of life. He noted that presidential decrees highlight its strategic importance in enhancing healthcare efficiency, accessibility, and management. He stressed the need for phased digitalization using modern technologies to drive progress and innovation in the sector.
Professor Nazim Gasimov, Rector of the Azerbaijan State Institute of Advanced Training of Doctors, highlighted the growing role of digital technologies in medical education, especially in training and surgical visualization. He cautioned about the potential risks of AI, including the loss of certain professions, but emphasized that with proper guidance and systematization, these technologies can greatly enhance medical training and practice.
Professor Nazim Panahov, Vice-Rector of Azerbaijan Medical University, welcomed participants on behalf of Rector Professor Geray Geraybeyli. He emphasized the impact of rapid technological progress on healthcare and highlighted the conference as a key platform for addressing digital medicine challenges and fostering collaboration. He affirmed the university’s readiness to engage in joint projects to advance digital medicine.
The conference also featured speeches by Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of Azerbaijan Technical University, Professor Nurali Yusifbayli, Molecular Biologist of the National Oncology Center, Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine Leylakhanim Malikova, Director General of the Institute of Biophysics of the National Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member of ANAS Oktay Gasimov, Head of Department of the Institute of Information Technology, Corresponding Member of ANAS Masuma Mammadova, Head of the Department of Surgical Diseases of the Azerbaijan Medical University , Corresponding Member of ANAS Nuru Bayramov. The speakers noted that the conference was of great importance in terms of creating new opportunities for solving scientific, theoretical and practical problems of digital medicine.
The conference then continued with section sessions titled "Scientific-theoretical problems of the formation of digital medicine" and "Scientific-practical problems of the application of digital technologies in medicine."
