‘AI for health’ leadership belongs to India
Prof V K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog today said that the government is committed to fully re-energizing the primary healthcare sector to take it to the next level. “We are not just running a scheme but are building the entire primary healthcare system which will be future ready and will serve our nation’s journey to Viksit Bharat by 2047,” he added.

Addressing the ‘FICCI HEAL 2024’, Prof Paul stated that ‘Viksit Bharat’ also means a $32 trillion economy along with the rise in per capita income to reach from $2,500 to $18,000. “For the journey towards becoming ‘Viksit Bharat’, health sector is going to be the base of it. The health sector being an enabler should try to do much better than other sectors. Swasth Bharat, Viksit Bharat along with Niramaya Bharat is the sentiment that I hope we all share,” he emphasized.

Highlighting the use of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector, Dr Paul stated that the government is ensuring that the new technologies are validated. “Artificial Intelligence (AI) for health leadership belongs to India. We would like India to not only become the biggest consumer of AI for health but also biggest creator of AI for health,” he added and urged the industry to come forward in this.

Dr Paul further advised the industry on the use of AI being validated. “Please ensure that AI technologies that we put forth are validated,” he emphasized.

Dr Paul also stated the government is working to create a robust healthcare system in India which will help in increasing the average life expectancy from 71 years and the government aspire to be more than 85 years by 2047 along with increasing the physician ratio and bed ratio. Highlighting the inclusion of all senior citizens in the Ayushman Bharat’s program, Dr Paul said, “Ayushman Bharat expands for senior citizens above 70 years, with Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Card. The government is ready with extra capacity to handle the elderly through dignity,” he noted.

Speaking on theme session ‘Swasth Bharat, Viksit Bharat’, Ms L S Changsan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India said the private sector can play a big role in innovation, R&D, bringing new models and, most importantly, driving change in the economic and costing aspects. “This will enable us to provide healthcare to even the poorest and most remote regions in our country,” she emphasized.

Prof Jonathon Robin Gray, Director of Innovation and Improvement, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board said, “Young people need to step forward into important managerial, mentoring, leadership, and coaching roles. Let’s learn and build together through a joint international young leader initiative. The idea is to create a global platform that would include a conference, communities of practice, year-long fellowships.”

Dr Harsh Mahajan, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Founder & Chairman, Mahajan Imaging Labs said, “Our healthcare sector now leverages artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics, making quality healthcare accessible even in the remotest corners of Bharat. This digital revolution in healthcare perfectly embodies the spirit of both ‘Digital India’ and ‘Swasth Bharat’.”

Dr Anupam Sibal, Co-Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Group Medical Director and Senior Pediatrician, Apollo Hospitals said, “Through collaboration and partnership, we can spark the innovations and solutions that will shape the future of our nation. The road to Viksit Bharat, a developed India, is paved with collective efforts.”

Dr Sanjeev Singh, Co-Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee; Medical Director, Amrita Institute – Faridabad and Chief Medical Superintendent, AIMSRC Kochi said, “Let us keep the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and transformation alive, and together we will work towards a future where healthcare in India reaches new heights.”

During the event, the following knowledge papers were released:

• FICCI-BDO Paper on ‘Expanding the Reach of Diagnostics: The Digital Advantage’
• FICCI-EY compendium of recommendations on ‘Road Map for Making Cancer Care Affordable and Accessible in India’
• FICCI-KPMG paper on ‘The Future of PG Medical Education in India: The 2047 Roadmap’
• FICCI-Symbiosis White Paper on ‘Synergizing Healthcare Proficiencies through Interdisciplinary Education’
• FICCI Report on ‘Advancing Primary Healthcare in India through AAMs’