Geneva: New data reveals that almost three-quarters of European countries are now using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their health services for diagnostic purposes. According to United Nations, 74% of the countries in the European bloc have incorporated AI tools into medical imaging, disease detection, and clinical decision-making processes. The report also highlights that 63% of EU countries have implemented chatbot services for patients. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to ensure that AI is used in health services safely, fairly, and responsibly. As AI technology becomes more ingrained in clinical settings, WHO emphasizes the importance of health professionals acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to use these technologies effectively, thereby maintaining high standards of patient care. The EU is on the verge of introducing the world's first legal framework specifically regulating AI. The WHO-backed report underscores the necessity for extensive consultation with patients and the public to enhance trust in AI systems. The lack of meaningful public input could lead to resistance or rejection of AI-supported systems, potentially deteriorating the quality of care received by patients. In other news, the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has endorsed a new agreement to facilitate the flow of aid to conflict-affected regions. The Congolese Government and the AFC/M23, two major armed groups in the eastern part of the country, have signed a protocol on humanitarian access and judicial protection. MONUSCO described this development as a crucial step toward ensuring rapid, safe, sustained, and unimpeded humanitarian access, essential for delivering life-saving aid to civilians burdened by ongoing violence. UN human rights experts have raised significant concerns over reports of torture and deaths at the Navapolatsk Correctional Colony in Belarus. The experts highlighted the case of journalist Ihar Losik, who reportedly faced prolonged isolation and den ied contact with his family or legal counsel. The experts warn that such practices may amount to torture and ill-treatment, urging Belarusian authorities to ensure humane conditions for detainees and protect them from reprisals. In Ukraine, children continue to suffer the most from the ongoing war, now in its fifth year. Vanessa Frazier, the UN's top official for children in armed conflict, concluded a five-day mission to Ukraine, emphasizing the severe impact of attacks on children's rights and essential services. Through initiatives like the Prove it Matters campaign, the UN is providing a platform for the voices of Ukrainian children and others affected by conflict to be heard by global decision-makers.
