In an exclusive interview with Dr. Urvashi Prasad, Former Director at the Office of the Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Nijhum Rudra from Elets News Network (ENN), explores how AI, telemedicine, and technology are transforming the healthcare ecosystem into a patient-centric digital model. 

How has the digital healthcare system transformed towards a patient-centric model, and what gaps still exist?

One of the key gaps I see is the need to scale up technology solutions, particularly AI-driven ones, to create large-scale use cases that can leverage patient data to enhance clinical outcomes. This is especially crucial for rare diseases, where doctors may only see a small number of patients with a specific condition. By aggregating data from various sources and using AI to analyze it, we can significantly improve outcomes for other patients with similar conditions. Although rare diseases may seem uncommon, they still affect a large number of people, especially in countries like India. In addition to this, we need more widespread integration of technology with the healthcare system to achieve scalable solutions across the board.

How is AI and technology, including telemedicine, shaping a patient-centric digital healthcare ecosystem?

Telemedicine saw significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, but post-pandemic, there has been a decline as people return to in-person consultations. Many still prefer seeing a doctor face-to-face, even for care. The challenge now is integrating technology into everyday patient behavior, even without a crisis. On the other hand, improving clinical outcomes is key. If I’m a patient in a rural area, I’m less concerned about AI and more focused on outcomes. AI needs to deliver tangible, real-world benefits, but we’re still a bit far from full integration. While there are some promising pilots or projects in certain areas, it hasn’t yet become a standard part of the public health system.

Are there any other additional challenges, aside from investment and doctor shortages, that require urgent solutions in the healthcare system?

When it comes to digital investment, the challenge is that you can’t fully embrace digital solutions without having solid healthcare infrastructure in place. Investment is needed at every level, and a strong basic health infrastructure is essential before you can build on it with digital technologies. Digital tools should be seen as enablers in healthcare, not as a one-size-fits-all solution. To make them effective, we first need to strengthen the foundation of the healthcare system, including physical infrastructure, equipment, and most importantly, human resources.

You could have the most advanced technology, but without qualified doctors or specialists, it won’t help patients. Everything ultimately depends on investment in human resources and foundational healthcare infrastructure. Once that’s in place, we can build on it with technologies like telemedicine and AI. However, we’ve been talking about these technologies for too long without seeing tangible benefits. As a patient, if I’m receiving care in a hospital, I should clearly understand how AI or other technologies are improving my treatment. If I don’t, these terms just become buzzwords without real impact.

The government has launched various initiatives, such as the national health policy, and is promoting technology in healthcare. What are your thoughts on these efforts? Do you think they are effective? 

The government’s initiatives, like the National Health Policy and technology-driven healthcare programs, are aimed at improving access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, especially in underserved areas. By promoting technology such as telemedicine, electronic health records, and AI, the government is fostering innovation and efficiency in healthcare. Another aspect to consider is the need for capacity building and training for healthcare professionals to ensure that they are equipped to utilize these technologies effectively. The success of these digital health initiatives depends not only on the availability of technology but also on the ability of healthcare providers to adapt and integrate them into their practice.

The National Health Policy’s focus on universal health coverage and digital health technologies is crucial for improving access in rural areas and addressing healthcare professional shortages. Programs like Ayushman Bharat and telemedicine have increased accessibility, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, challenges remain, such as the digital divide in rural areas, lack of infrastructure, and concerns around data privacy and security, which affect the full impact and implementation of these initiatives.

Also Read :- Investing in the Future of HealthTech: Innovation, Strategy, and Impact

Are there any additional policies or areas where you think the government should focus to make the healthcare system more patient-centered?

I don’t necessarily think we need new policies all the time; rather, the focus should be on better implementation of the existing ones. Many policies are well-intended and have good ideas behind them, but when applied on the ground, especially with a population of 1.4 billion people and such diversity, the effectiveness can vary. Health is still primarily a state subject in India, meaning each state has its own approach to implementation. For example, even with a national scheme like Ayushman Bharat, each state will apply it differently based on its resources and priorities. Therefore, instead of constantly introducing new policies, the emphasis should be on improving the execution of the existing ones. At the same time, we must allocate more funding to the public health system. Without sufficient investment, improving patient outcomes across the country remains a challenge. The focus should be on scaling up and standardizing successful initiatives to ensure more consistent and effective results nationwide.

What specific areas of the healthcare system should the government focus on more?

I believe the government should focus on significantly increasing public spending on healthcare. This investment is crucial for improving public health facilities and strengthening the human resource base in the sector. Currently, there are shortages of doctors, specialists, and paramedics, which hampers the effectiveness of the healthcare system. It’s the government’s responsibility to address these gaps. Technology can play an important role, but it cannot replace the need for skilled healthcare professionals. Technology should be viewed as a tool that assists healthcare workers, rather than replacing them. Until we have a robust workforce in place, we cannot build a strong healthcare system. Proper investment in human resources is key to ensuring that technology can be fully leveraged to improve patient care.

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