Healthcare innovation is moving so rapidly that it could fundamentally reshape patient care in the coming years, University of Szeged Rector Prof. Dr. László Rovó said in an interview with the financial magazine Pénzcentrum. The otolaryngologist highlighted major technological advances in Hungary and worldwide, and outlined how these breakthroughs could soon find their way into everyday medical practice.
According to the Rector of the University of Szeged, one of the most significant advances is emerging at the intersection of molecular biology and artificial intelligence. As he noted, “this approach has radically accelerated drug development while also reducing costs.” He added that gene therapy, together with the analysis of large-scale genetic databases, could usher in a new era of targeted treatments.
In the interview, the rector also pointed out that major developments are underway in Hungary, particularly in the field of healthcare artificial intelligence. These advances rely on large, well-structured databases, which are essential for training algorithms, because data processing is just as critical as data collection. “Cleaning and annotating data require considerable expertise, but automation has already begun to play a role in this area as well,” he said.
The professor also addressed the work of the National Laboratory for Health Security, which brings together several Hungarian institutions in a broad collaborative framework. Its aim is to make healthcare and epidemiological decision-making increasingly data-driven. As part of this effort, systems are already in place to monitor the population’s health status as well as the spread of respiratory diseases.
In this context, research is becoming ever more interdisciplinary, because progress increasingly depends on cooperation across multiple fields. This is clearly reflected in areas such as the study of skin diseases and rare genetic disorders, where insights from genetics, immunology, and bioinformatics converge.
Artificial intelligence is also taking on a growing role in diagnostics. “Diagnostics is one of the most promising areas for the application of AI,” the rector emphasized, noting that AI-based algorithms can detect subtle abnormalities that may easily go unnoticed by the human eye. In addition, advanced data analysis could play a key role in the development of personalized treatments.
At the same time, significant challenges remain. “The most important resource for AI-based healthcare solutions is patient data, the handling of which is subject to extremely strict regulations,” the rector emphasized. As a result, regulatory approval processes and data management constraints can slow the pace of development.
The rapid advancement of robotic surgery and telemedicine is equally striking. Reflecting on his own field of otolaryngology, the rector noted, “There are stages of surgery where the natural tremor of the human hand can in itself pose a risk.” He also stressed that robotic technologies are not designed to replace physicians, but to enhance their capabilities.
According to Prof. Dr. László Rovó, personalized therapies, along with modern diagnostic and telemedicine solutions, are set to become increasingly accessible. “Many of these technologies can already operate through a simple application on a mobile device,” he said, adding that competition and continued innovation may gradually reduce costs.
Overall, the direction is clear: solutions that are still considered novel today are steadily becoming part of everyday patient care, making modern, personalized treatment accessible to a growing number of people.
Source: pénzcentrum.hu
Feature photo: Prof. Dr. László Rovó implants the first smart cochlear implant on June 25, 2025, in Szeged. Photo: István Sahin-Tóth
