Latest news with #ETHealthworldFutureMedX-TheSmartPatientCareSummit
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
AI, Modern Tech & the evolving dynamics of Patient Care in India
New Delhi: As healthcare professionals in India increasingly adopt digital tools in clinical practice , advancements such as genomics, AI, and data analytics are transforming patient care—enabling personalized treatments and accelerating timely, effective interventions. While adoption is steadily increasing, it faces significant challenges—including inadequate infrastructure, rising costs, and unresolved data privacy concerns. Delving into this space the inaugural edition of ETHealthworld FutureMed X - The Smart Patient Care Summit convened a panel discussion on Reengineering Patient Care- A Changemakers Perspective. The experts who shared their insights at the session included Prof Anurag Agrawal, Head-Koita Center for Digital Health & Dean - BioSciences and Health Research, Ashoka University, Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh, Senior Advisor, Environmental Health, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Dr Chandrakant Lahariya Founder -Director, Foundation of People Centric Health System; Leena Menghaney, Lawyer/Consultant, Public Health, Pharmaceuticals & Access; and the discussion was moderated by Vikas Dandekar Editor ETHealthworld, The Economic Times. AI diagnostics drive and the mid way challenges Radiology services in India stands as a frontrunner in AI adoption, where its integration is helping them to cut down time lines of analysing millions of scans, However Prof Agrawal, noted, 'while radiologist have increasingly adopted AI these tools are not yet advanced enough to be fully relied upon for clinical decision-making and the coming age of medical professionals is facing entering a field where technological integration presents both promise and pressure.' Citing examples like Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)--a technology used to track glucose levels in real-time round the clock—Lehariya stressed that such innovations have shown their potential but their adoption is yet to scale up in India and the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare should prioritise expanding access, reaching underserved communities, and improving outcomes on the ground.' 'We will keep evolving and innovating new things but from the very beginning we should focus on taking those innovations to a broader section of society and unless that is achieved it will be partial success,' Dr Lehariya stressed. 'The advent of AI is steadily making its mark in healthcare. To develop a comprehensive, integrated solution for diverse health challenges, stakeholders must unite their efforts toward the concept of One Health—linking environmental, animal, and human health, Dr Ghosh, said 'Empowering communities to build trust is essential, so AI becomes part of daily life and effectively addresses a range of healthcare issues,' he added. Policy Efforts On the policy front, Menghaney emphasized the introduction of HMIS (Health Management Information System) reflects some potential; the absence of ethical frameworks hinders accountable use of digital tools, and introducing strong data protection provisions is essential to unlock the benefits of digitization in public health decision-making. To counter misinformation Prof Aggarwal suggested that, 'there should be constant level of high-surveillance all the time, creation of trusted voices with continuous release of information to counter various misleading information and myths While India's healthcare system has long been oriented toward treating infectious and acute diseases, the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) demands a shift in approach. Clinicians and healthcare providers must rethink existing models and adopt innovative strategies to meet this emerging challenge. Dr Lehariya added that, while India's healthcare system has long been oriented toward treating infectious and acute diseases, the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) demands a shift in approach.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
'No Indian Should Be Out of Network — Digitally or Medically, as India Advances from Digital Dependence to Digital Dominance': Union Minister Dr Chandra Shekhar
New Delhi: Reflecting on India's rapid transformation in both digital connectivity and healthcare access, Union Minister Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar declared that the country has moved from 'digital dependence to digital dominance' over the past decade — with sweeping gains in affordable mobile internet, world-leading 5G rollout, and the scaling up of Ayushman Bharat , now the world's largest public health insurance programme. 'No Indian should ever be out of network — digitally or medically,' the minister said, calling for industry and public partnerships to bridge the last-mile gaps in rural healthcare and digital inclusion . Speaking at the inaugural edition of ETHealthworld FutureMed X - The Smart Patient Care Summit, Dr. Chandra Sekhar, who has worked extensively across both telecom and healthcare sectors, emphasised how connectivity and care are becoming twin pillars of India's progress. Turning to healthcare, the minister highlighted that the Ayushman Bharat scheme has become the world's largest public health insurance programme, having provided more than nine crore cashless treatments worth ₹1.25 lakh crore. He noted that out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in India have fallen significantly, from 62 per cent to 39.4 per cent, easing financial pressure on millions of households, particularly in rural areas. Over 1.5 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres have been established to bring quality primary care closer to communities. India's healthcare workforce has also expanded considerably, with over one lakh doctors graduating annually and postgraduate medical seats increasing by 127 per cent. The country now has about 13 lakh allopathic doctors and nearly 19 lakh total practitioners across systems of medicine, moving closer to WHO standards for doctor-patient ratios. However, a key challenge remains: most doctors are concentrated in urban areas, even though 60 per cent of Indians live in rural regions. India's digital healthcare infrastructure continues to grow rapidly, with 36 crore teleconsultations conducted to date, peaking at half a million consultations per day. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has integrated 55 crore health records, while the Tele-MANAS helpline now offers round-the-clock mental health support in multiple languages. An experimental COVID-era immunisation tracking app has evolved into a nationwide vaccination tracker. According to the minister, more than 95 per cent of India is now covered by 4G, with only 30,000 remote villages, largely in forests or hilly terrains, yet to be connected to 3G or 4G networks. These gaps are actively being addressed. India's mobile network today serves nearly 1.2 billion subscribers and offers the world's lowest data rates. The country also achieved the fastest 5G rollout in the world, with more than 250 million Indians already using 5G services. More than 80 per cent of the population can access 5G, provided they have compatible devices. The Union minister noted that India has also connected 2.14 lakh villages with high-speed optical fibre, with more than seven lakh kilometre of fibre already laid. However, ongoing highway and industrial works have caused frequent cable cuts. A new Rs 1.3 lakh crore project will connect another 40,000 gram panchayats, maintain and repair existing fibre, and enable 1.5 crore rural households to access affordable high-speed internet without upfront costs. To cover ultra-remote terrains, satellite communication services like Starlink have been licensed. 'This connectivity is not just about faster data; it is about faster development across sectors like education, governance, and most importantly, healthcare,' Dr. Chandra Sekhar said. Dr. Chandra Sekhar called on innovators and entrepreneurs to help tackle remaining gaps in healthcare delivery. He emphasised opportunities to expand telemedicine services in rural India, supported by networks of trained nurses and mobile medical units. He also encouraged the use of drone technology to deliver medicines and emergency supplies to underserved regions. Improving electronic prescriptions, enhancing interoperability of health records, and addressing counterfeit drug risks were also identified as key priorities. The minister said India could learn from international experiences — for instance, fragmented EMR systems in the US led to inefficiencies, while India has the opportunity to build more integrated, user-friendly systems from the start. The country's late-mover advantage could help avoid legacy mistakes and drive global best practices. He also stressed the need to strengthen preventive care, expand home-based services such as occupational therapy and hospice care, and promote workforce planning that reflects regional needs. He pointed out that mental health services — including school-based counselling — need more investment, alongside case coordination to help patients navigate India's complex healthcare system. Dr. Sekhar also suggested that India develop opportunities for mobile preventive care units (for dental, mammograms, vaccinations, screenings), create real-time medical language translation tools, and promote community health worker networks to deliver care and education in local languages. 'India should be a living laboratory for the world,' he concluded. 'Every Indian deserves global-standard healthcare — and no Indian should ever be out of network, digitally or medically.'
