Mumbai, India, October 4, 2024
Prof. Dr. Rifat Latifi,  the founding President of Kosova College of Surgeons and former Minister of Health of the Republic of Kosova,  was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the  Global Digital Summit in Mumbai, India  for his pioneering contributions  and global impact in creation sustainable telemedicine programs, using the “Initiate, Build, Operate, Transfer” (IBOT) strategy of International Virtual e-Hospital Foundation, selected by the international jury, that started in Kosova with the inauguration of Kosova telemedicine program Dec 10, 2002. His work, rooted in collaboration with these local healthcare teams, has successfully empowered communities to take ownership of their healthcare systems.
On this occasion Dr. Latifi stated, âWhile I am honored to receive this recognition on behalf of International Virtual -Hospital and all who has worked for the last 2024 years, the true heroes are the local doctors and nurses in Kosova, Albania, and Cabo Verde, Vietnam, and other countries who have embraced this strategy, as well as their governments who had adopted IBOT. Their commitment and resilience have set a standard that the rest of the world can learn from.â
The IBOT strategy developed by Dr. Latifi has become a model for establishing sustainable telemedicine and e-helath frameworks in low-resource countries, but no only. By initiating projects that build capacity, operating them in partnership with local stakeholders, and ultimately transferring management to them, IBOT approach ensures that these systems are both effective and culturally relevant.
Furthermore, Dr. Latifi stressed that with todayâs advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, there is no reason for anyone to die or suffer consequences of a disease because expertise is just one click away. He urged that adapting to these technologies should not be a long and arduous process; instead, it should be embraced immediately. During his keynote address on the session âThe Future of Surgery,” that he chaired and Dr. Latifi affirmed that âwhile surgery and surgeons will be augmented by significant technological advances from nano-technologies to and genomics to robotically assisted precision surgery , including artificial intelligence, both will continue to remain human, Â Â and no technology can replace the critical handholding and emotional support that a surgeon provides to patients as a human being.â He added, that âThese technologies need to be made available to billions of people who lack even basic resources for safe surgery and anesthesia and not only to few millions who can afford themâ.
His vision and dedication have led to transformative changes in healthcare accessibility, highlighting how local engagement can lead to meaningful improvements in health outcomes. The pioneering initiatives in Kosova, Albania, and Cabo Verde exemplify how empowering local healthcare providers can create impactful telemedicine solutions that resonate globally.
Dr. Latifiâs accolades serve as a testament to the collective achievements of healthcare teams worldwide, inspiring further collaboration and commitment to equitable care.
The award was presented to Dr. Latifi by Ann Mond Johnson, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and co-chair of the Digital Summit.
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About the Digital Summit:
The Digital Summit is an annual conference that convenes industry leaders and healthcare professionals to discuss advancements in digital health, share insights, and foster collaborative efforts to enhance global healthcare systems.
