LAHORE: The Balochistan government and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) National AI Hub for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening maternal, newborn and child health services through artificial intelligence (AI), digital innovation and evidence-informed decision-making.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment to harnessing emerging technologies to address persistent health challenges and improve outcomes for women, newborns and children across Balochistan. Through the collaboration, Balochistan and the National AI Hub will identify priority areas where AI-enabled solutions can strengthen health systems, enhance service delivery and inform policy and planning.
The signing ceremony at LUMS brought together senior officials from the government of Balochistan, university leadership, researchers, public health specialists and technical experts.
The participants discussed Balochistan’s MNCH priorities, its evolving digital health landscape, and opportunities to use AI and locally grounded data to strengthen health services across the province.
LUMS Provost and Acting Vice Chancellor Dr Tariq Jadoon said: “This partnership with Balochistan presents an exciting opportunity. Through the National AI Hub, we are leveraging computer science, artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve people’s health and we are pleased to contribute to this important work”.
Welcoming the delegation, LUMS Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering Dean Dr Walter Schwarzacher said: “The work being done by the National AI Hub provides a way to take the fundamental research carried out at LUMS and apply it in ways that bring real benefits. This is an area in which we can demonstrate that AI can make a tangible difference to people’s health and lives”.Balochistan Health Department Secretary Mujeebur Rehman said: “This is not just another project for us. LUMS brings the technology and expertise, and we bring the commitment to address the challenges we face. Together, this partnership can deliver the results we are seeking”.
National AI Hub Director Dr Maryam Mustafa emphasised that the partnership would be grounded in Balochistan’s specific context and priorities.
Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026
