FutureMed X: Experts Lay Out the Blueprint for Intelligent, Inclusive, and Data-Driven Healthcare
: From
telemedicine
, AI-driven diagnostics to
de novo
drug design, the realm of healthcare is standing at a critical juncture marked by the rapid expansion of technology, transforming the fundamental approach to curing patients and expanding access at an unprecedented pace.
Boosted by several other cross-sector reforms in India, this paradigm shift is enabling real-time patient monitoring, predictive analytics for early disease detection, personalized medicine tailored to genetic profiles, and seamless access to healthcare in remote and underserved regions.
However, standing on a fragile base of literacy, digital divide and policy void, the system remains volatile with several fault lines in the data domain – integrity issues, privacy risks, and cybersecurity challenges.
Reflecting on such critical issues, ETHealthworld hosted FutureMed X - The Smart
Patient Care
Summit, designed to discuss and understand the dynamics of AI-driven diagnostics, IoT-enabled healthcare, telemedicine, and data-driven decision-making for a more intelligent, connected, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem.
The summit brought together key policymakers, healthcare leaders, innovators, and patient advocates exploring the transformative impact of smart technologies on patient care, clinical practice, and business prospects.
The annual summit was supported by Universal NutriScience as gold partner; eClinicalWorks, Sunoh.ai as associate partners; and Nephroplus, Marengo Asia Hospitals, and Easy Solution Infosystems Private Limited as supporting partners.
Delivering the chief guest address, the Minister of State for Communications & Ministry of Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar stressed that, 'The country has the potential to serve as a 'living laboratory' for the world. And building on the existing evidence, India can develop its own high-quality scalable solutions and drive healthcare digital transformation.'
'With collaboration between entrepreneurs and the government, we can make this process successful and ensure that our citizens receive healthcare services that meet global quality standards,' the minister added.
Speaking further, the Union Minister emphasized, 'Entrepreneurs in the country can explore innovative business models to address healthcare challenges, such as drone-based delivery of essential medicines and mobile vans equipped with trained MBBS doctors and physicians.'
At the inaugural panel discussion themed on 'Reengineering Patient Care: A Changemaker's Perspective,' Prof. Anurag Agrawal, Head - Koita Center for
Digital Health
& Dean - Biosciences and Health Research, Ashoka University, noted that while clinicians have increasingly adopted advanced technologies like artificial intelligence—especially in radiology—these tools are not yet advanced enough to be fully relied upon for clinical decision-making, and the coming age of medical professionals is entering a field where technological integration presents both promise and pressure.
On the part of environmental health, Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh, Senior Advisor, Environmental Health, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), emphasized that technology has to fill three gaps – predict, prevent, and protect – with the right interventions and correct data sets.
Speaking at the panel discussion on 'Revolutionizing
Emergency Care
: Patient-Centric Approaches in Trauma & Critical Care,' Dr. Deepak Agrawal, Professor, Neurosurgery, AIIMS New Delhi, voiced that, 'Over the last decade the emergency care system in India has undergone several notable changes where the focus on specialised trained professionals has brought a marked shift.'
Talking over the role of technology, Dr. Agrawal underlined that inclusion of cameras is enabling real-time monitoring and is automatically structured to identify how long it will take for every step to happen.'
Adding to this, Dr. Sushant Chhabra, Cluster Head, Emergency Medicine, Manipal Hospitals North-West Region, said that, 'In a closed ER (emergency care) setting, a patient is handled by a trained emergency medicine professional that leads to a quick diagnosis, targeted therapy and eventually improvement in outcome.'
According to experts, a wider adoption of triage in practice can play a critical role during the golden hours and may eventually lead to reduced mortality rates and improved outcomes.
Notably, in emergency care, 'triage' is the process of quickly assessing and categorizing patients based on the severity of their condition.
Dissecting the dynamics of Smart Hospitals, Rajiv Sikka, Group CIO, Medanta Hospitals, shared the group's approach of collecting 20,000 data points from one patient to improve data-driven decision-making, and the stored database can further be used to tr
ai
n AI and ML-based software.
Viji Varghese, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital Delhi, added that, 'The introduction of digital tools has overturned the traditional delivery model and the flow of information and service providers stands more as collaborators.'
Besides improving outcomes, Kunal Aggarwal, Founder & MD, Easy Solution Infosystems, underlined that innovations like AI are also helping to break access barriers where service providers can expand their reach to remote settings and patients can receive quality care.
For incorporating the newer advancements, Miraj Shah, Manager, eClinicalWorks India, stressed that partnership with solution providers is fundamental for hospitals aiming to join this holistic healthcare fabric.
'Moving forward, standardisation of processes and accreditation rules is also an important factor,' he added.
Dr. Buddhadeb Chatterjee, Sr. Consultant - Orthopaedics, Apollo Hospital, voiced that with limited movement, arthritis is emerging as a major challenge among the urban population and avoiding physical activity will exacerbate this trend.
However, Dr. Rajesh Bawari, Principal Consultant - Orthopaedics & Head - Complex Trauma & Orthopaedics Units, Max Hospital, noted that keeping a balanced approach is key considering that over-exercising may develop complications.
For shifting to robot-assisted surgery methods, Dr. Bawari said that expertise and experience of the professional needs to be taken into consideration. Secondly, the industry is yet to address the cost challenge, which may hamper their widespread adoption.
Talking over issues related to the backbone, Dr. Shubh Mehrotra, Director - Joint Replacement and Robotic Surgery, Lovee Shubh Hospital, shared that against the conventional trend where people in their 30s used to report issues with spine owing to several lifestyle habits, people in their early 20s have started reporting such issues.
Underlining key gaps in microbiology, Dr. Sonal Saxena, Director Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology at Maulana Azad Medical College, noted that the pace of bacterial growth research has remained largely unchanged, presenting an opportunity for innovators to explore the field and drive potential breakthroughs.
Among the elderly population, one of the key metrics constantly monitored by clinicians is heart rate and sleep quality. But looking at the size of the elderly population against the total number of geriatricians, Dr. Prasun Chatterjee, Chief - Geriatric Medicine and Longevity Science, Artemis Hospital, suggests that integrating AI and other technologies is going to be an inevitable shift in the country.
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Not Sci-Fi, But Smart: India's Hospital Revolution Is Rooted in Reality, Say Experts
New Delhi: The term smart hospital often conjures up sci-fi imagery—robotic nurses, AI diagnoses, and error-free systems. But in India's complex healthcare landscape, the reality is far more layered. As the country steadily embraces digital transformation, the idea of the smart hospital is gaining prominence. Yet beyond buzzwords and sleek technology, what truly defines a smart hospital in the Indian context? At ETHealthworld's inaugural edition FutureMedX Summit, industry leaders took a hard look at what it really takes to build intelligent, tech-enabled hospitals in India—not as envisioned in glossy demos, but as implemented in overburdened ICUs, rural clinics, and tier-two cities. Smart hospitals , it turns out, are not about science fiction—they're about solving real problems in real time. In a compelling panel discussion titled 'The Rise of Smart Hospitals: Creating a Digital Health Ecosystem,' experts examined the evolving definition of smart care, patient-centric applications, and the practical challenges of implementing digital health solutions that are intelligent, compassionate, and scalable. The panel featured Viji Varghese , Hospital Director at Manipal Hospital Delhi; Rajiv Sikka , Group CIO of Medanta Hospitals; Dr. Narin Sehgal , Finance Secretary of CAHO and Secretary of AHPI, Delhi State, as well as Medical Director of Sehgal Neo Hospital; Kunal Aggarwal, Founder and Managing Director of Easy Solution Infosystems Pvt. Ltd; and Miraj Shah , Manager at eClinicalWorks India. The panelists discussed how connected ICUs, conversational AI, modular tech adoption, and patient-centric workflows are being practically implemented across different healthcare settings. They emphasized that India's smart hospital journey isn't about leaping into the future—it's about building it step by step, with empathy, interoperability, and measurable impact. Opening the conversation, Varghese noted that a smart hospital is not merely a collection of technologies. Instead, it is about how technology is used to ensure access to information for both providers and patients, so that better decisions can be made and better health outcomes achieved. Rather than being dazzled by devices and dashboards, she stressed the purposeful use of technology—enabling clinicians to deliver more accurate care and empowering patients to participate meaningfully in their own health journeys. Sikka emphasized that technology is essential for maintaining consistency across a growing network of hospitals. His definition of a smart hospital revolves around delivering predictable, standardized, and sustainable experiences for all stakeholders—patients, doctors, nurses, and support staff. 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Once a patient is admitted, the hospital system sends real-time notifications to the designated doctor, nursing unit, housekeeping, F&B, and other departments. With clearly defined turnaround times for vital checks and doctor rounds, the entire process becomes seamless and system-driven. On the post-discharge front, Medanta has developed procedure-specific follow-up pathways. Whether it's a stent placement or orthopedic surgery, patients receive milestone-based reminders and coordinated care through CRM systems, ensuring continuity and reducing readmission risks. Dr. Narin Sehgal brought a deeply human touch to the discussion. While acknowledging the power of technology, he reminded the audience that the real hero of the hospital is the patient. Everything must revolve around them, he said, and technology must never make patients feel threatened. He recalled how patients often express fear and vulnerability before entering the operation theatre, which underlines the need for empathy, communication, and trust—elements that must be built into the design of a smart hospital. Technology is evolving so rapidly, he noted, that even clinicians struggle to keep up. Smartness isn't just about automation, it's about assurance. For him, smart hospitals begin with safety, simplicity, and purpose. He also emphasized the importance of modular, ROI-friendly solutions that are accessible even to smaller hospitals. Kunal Aggarwal echoed the sentiment that technology should never replace people but should instead enable them—whether they're clinicians, back-office staff, or patients. From clinical decision support systems to multilingual videos that ease pre-operative anxiety, he highlighted the need for tech that functions as a supportive partner. Miraj Shah added that the best digital solutions are those that remain invisible yet impactful. Care delivery, he stressed, must always remain front and center. Sikka reinforced these views with examples of transformative technologies already in use at Medanta. ICU monitors, ventilators, and infusion pumps generate over 20,000 data points per patient per day, enabling comprehensive, real-time monitoring. In imaging, AI tools screen chest X-rays for tuberculosis and lung nodules as part of India's largest CSR-led TB-free program. In outpatient departments, conversational AI transcribes doctor-patient interactions into structured prescriptions in real time, saving clinician time and reducing waitlists. Looking ahead, Sikka predicted that the future of healthcare input will be voice—and perhaps, eventually, neural signals. Varghese noted that smart hospitals represent more of a cultural shift than a technological one. Earlier, she said, healthcare was top-down. Now, technology is empowering patients to become active participants in their care. This shift in mindset must extend to both clinicians and administrators. However, she cautioned that despite India's progress in digital health, challenges such as infrastructure costs, skill gaps, and a lack of tailored health information systems (HIS) for smaller hospitals remain significant hurdles. Shah emphasized the importance of partnerships and interoperability, stating that smart hospitals cannot function in silos. They must connect with primary care, startups, public health networks, and national digital platforms like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Aggarwal pointed to scalable innovations such as Aravind Eye Care's tele-ophthalmology model, while Sehgal stressed the need for open APIs and modular systems to avoid vendor lock-ins and enable inclusive growth. Sikka shared that Medanta's AI-powered command centers are already optimizing discharge workflows, medication logistics, and interdepartmental referrals in real time. 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Time of India
3 days ago
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All of this depends on robust, uninterrupted digital infrastructure. Inclusivity is equally important. For rural or remote patients, even basic access to care can be a challenge. Whether it's teleconsultations or even remote surgeries, high-quality connections—via 5G or fibre optics—are essential. With 65–70% of our population still in rural areas, bridging the digital divide is not optional—it's critical. Q. The government has made significant progress through initiatives like BharatNet, 4G and 5G rollout. How do you see these efforts translating into equitable healthcare access in rural and remote areas, and what are the next priorities for truly bridging this urban-rural digital health divide? Today, over 95 per cent of India has 4G coverage, and we're actively working to upgrade the remaining villages. Over 25 crore Indians now have 5G-ready devices. Through BharatNet, we've already connected over 2.15 lakh gram panchayats with optical fibre, and another 40,000 are underway. 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It all starts with standardisation and capacity building. We must ensure that doctors, nurses, and paramedics meet well-defined competencies before entering the healthcare system. We need to raise the bar for medical education and test whether these professionals are truly prepared. At the infrastructure level, every hospital—public or private—must follow accreditation norms. The private sector, tech industry, and citizens can contribute by investing in healthtech, promoting responsible data use, and adopting digital tools that improve care outcomes. Ultimately, connectivity, standardization, and inclusion will drive us toward a truly Health-First India. Watch the conversation here:
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
FutureMed X: Experts Lay Out the Blueprint for Intelligent, Inclusive, and Data-Driven Healthcare
New Delhi : From telemedicine , AI-driven diagnostics to de novo drug design, the realm of healthcare is standing at a critical juncture marked by the rapid expansion of technology, transforming the fundamental approach to curing patients and expanding access at an unprecedented pace. Boosted by several other cross-sector reforms in India, this paradigm shift is enabling real-time patient monitoring, predictive analytics for early disease detection, personalized medicine tailored to genetic profiles, and seamless access to healthcare in remote and underserved regions. However, standing on a fragile base of literacy, digital divide and policy void, the system remains volatile with several fault lines in the data domain – integrity issues, privacy risks, and cybersecurity challenges. Reflecting on such critical issues, ETHealthworld hosted FutureMed X - The Smart Patient Care Summit, designed to discuss and understand the dynamics of AI-driven diagnostics, IoT-enabled healthcare, telemedicine, and data-driven decision-making for a more intelligent, connected, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem. The summit brought together key policymakers, healthcare leaders, innovators, and patient advocates exploring the transformative impact of smart technologies on patient care, clinical practice, and business prospects. The annual summit was supported by Universal NutriScience as gold partner; eClinicalWorks, as associate partners; and Nephroplus, Marengo Asia Hospitals, and Easy Solution Infosystems Private Limited as supporting partners. Delivering the chief guest address, the Minister of State for Communications & Ministry of Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar stressed that, 'The country has the potential to serve as a 'living laboratory' for the world. And building on the existing evidence, India can develop its own high-quality scalable solutions and drive healthcare digital transformation.' 'With collaboration between entrepreneurs and the government, we can make this process successful and ensure that our citizens receive healthcare services that meet global quality standards,' the minister added. Speaking further, the Union Minister emphasized, 'Entrepreneurs in the country can explore innovative business models to address healthcare challenges, such as drone-based delivery of essential medicines and mobile vans equipped with trained MBBS doctors and physicians.' At the inaugural panel discussion themed on 'Reengineering Patient Care: A Changemaker's Perspective,' Prof. Anurag Agrawal, Head - Koita Center for Digital Health & Dean - Biosciences and Health Research, Ashoka University, noted that while clinicians have increasingly adopted advanced technologies like artificial intelligence—especially in radiology—these tools are not yet advanced enough to be fully relied upon for clinical decision-making, and the coming age of medical professionals is entering a field where technological integration presents both promise and pressure. On the part of environmental health, Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh, Senior Advisor, Environmental Health, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), emphasized that technology has to fill three gaps – predict, prevent, and protect – with the right interventions and correct data sets. Speaking at the panel discussion on 'Revolutionizing Emergency Care : Patient-Centric Approaches in Trauma & Critical Care,' Dr. Deepak Agrawal, Professor, Neurosurgery, AIIMS New Delhi, voiced that, 'Over the last decade the emergency care system in India has undergone several notable changes where the focus on specialised trained professionals has brought a marked shift.' Talking over the role of technology, Dr. Agrawal underlined that inclusion of cameras is enabling real-time monitoring and is automatically structured to identify how long it will take for every step to happen.' Adding to this, Dr. Sushant Chhabra, Cluster Head, Emergency Medicine, Manipal Hospitals North-West Region, said that, 'In a closed ER (emergency care) setting, a patient is handled by a trained emergency medicine professional that leads to a quick diagnosis, targeted therapy and eventually improvement in outcome.' According to experts, a wider adoption of triage in practice can play a critical role during the golden hours and may eventually lead to reduced mortality rates and improved outcomes. Notably, in emergency care, 'triage' is the process of quickly assessing and categorizing patients based on the severity of their condition. Dissecting the dynamics of Smart Hospitals, Rajiv Sikka, Group CIO, Medanta Hospitals, shared the group's approach of collecting 20,000 data points from one patient to improve data-driven decision-making, and the stored database can further be used to tr ai n AI and ML-based software. Viji Varghese, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital Delhi, added that, 'The introduction of digital tools has overturned the traditional delivery model and the flow of information and service providers stands more as collaborators.' Besides improving outcomes, Kunal Aggarwal, Founder & MD, Easy Solution Infosystems, underlined that innovations like AI are also helping to break access barriers where service providers can expand their reach to remote settings and patients can receive quality care. For incorporating the newer advancements, Miraj Shah, Manager, eClinicalWorks India, stressed that partnership with solution providers is fundamental for hospitals aiming to join this holistic healthcare fabric. 'Moving forward, standardisation of processes and accreditation rules is also an important factor,' he added. Dr. Buddhadeb Chatterjee, Sr. Consultant - Orthopaedics, Apollo Hospital, voiced that with limited movement, arthritis is emerging as a major challenge among the urban population and avoiding physical activity will exacerbate this trend. However, Dr. Rajesh Bawari, Principal Consultant - Orthopaedics & Head - Complex Trauma & Orthopaedics Units, Max Hospital, noted that keeping a balanced approach is key considering that over-exercising may develop complications. For shifting to robot-assisted surgery methods, Dr. Bawari said that expertise and experience of the professional needs to be taken into consideration. Secondly, the industry is yet to address the cost challenge, which may hamper their widespread adoption. Talking over issues related to the backbone, Dr. Shubh Mehrotra, Director - Joint Replacement and Robotic Surgery, Lovee Shubh Hospital, shared that against the conventional trend where people in their 30s used to report issues with spine owing to several lifestyle habits, people in their early 20s have started reporting such issues. Underlining key gaps in microbiology, Dr. Sonal Saxena, Director Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology at Maulana Azad Medical College, noted that the pace of bacterial growth research has remained largely unchanged, presenting an opportunity for innovators to explore the field and drive potential breakthroughs. Among the elderly population, one of the key metrics constantly monitored by clinicians is heart rate and sleep quality. But looking at the size of the elderly population against the total number of geriatricians, Dr. Prasun Chatterjee, Chief - Geriatric Medicine and Longevity Science, Artemis Hospital, suggests that integrating AI and other technologies is going to be an inevitable shift in the country.
