Clalit Health Services has been selected as a partner in a major international research project that uses artificial intelligence to detect and manage future pandemics, officials announced on Monday.
The initiative, referred to as PANDAI, is the first of its kind, creating an AI platform to tackle pandemics by connecting healthcare systems across Europe. The €8m. endeavor will enable policymakers, epidemiologists, and public health authorities to identify and respond to signs of outbreaks more efficiently.
Clalit was selected by the European Union's flagship research program and PANDAI's primary donor, Horizon Europe, to join other leading global health organizations on the project, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the University of Oxford. Other involved parties include research organizations from the United Kingdom, Spain, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Bangladesh.
This achievement comes at a time of domestic concern about Israel's exclusion from international research frameworks, underscoring Clalit’s status as a global leader in community healthcare and medical research.
"In the post-COVID era, we must be prepared for the possibility of another major global health event," said Prof. Eytan Wirtheim, CEO of Clalit Health Services. "At a time when international collaboration faces increasing challenges, this achievement demonstrates that the knowledge, research, and innovation developed by Clalit and the Israeli healthcare system continue to play an important role in the global effort to shape the future of medicine."
Clalit was selected not only for its role as a healthcare provider operating both community clinics and hospitals with advanced electronic medical records, but also for its data resources that will help develop PANDAI.
Clalit plays major role in mitigating COVID-19 effects
The healthcare organization also led the Israeli response to COVID-19 in 2020 and published some of the first large-scale studies on the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Clalit's ongoing research has influenced health and vaccination policies implemented by the WHO, the CDC, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the US National Institutes of Health.
“This is both a great honor and a major responsibility," said Prof. Doron Netzer, head of medicine at Clalit’s Community Division. "One of the world’s leading research frameworks has recognized Clalit’s research capabilities, expertise, and experience in operating a healthcare system during periods of uncertainty and global pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that Israel’s community healthcare system, with Clalit at its forefront, serves as a critical first line of defense against emerging health threats."
Clalit’s unique experience in emergency response and public health crises will bring operational expertise along with research leadership.