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Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised the critical role of advanced technology in enhancing the accessibility and affordability of healthcare in India At the 2nd Healthcare Summit of the American Chamber of India (AMCHAM). He highlighted India’s standing as one of the top six global bio-manufacturers, known for its cost-effective and highly efficient bio-manufacturing processes, alongside being a preferred destination for cost-effective healthcare services.
Dr Jitendra Singh, who holds multiple portfolios including Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and other significant departments, acknowledged the summit as a key platform to articulate the government’s healthcare vision. As a distinguished endocrinologist with decades of experience, he addressed the emerging challenges posed by metabolic disorders and their impact on public health, underscoring the need for innovative solutions.
The summit’s theme, “Accelerating Innovative and Accessible Healthcare: Technology Transformation,” resonated with India’s current healthcare landscape, according to Dr Singh. He emphasised the summit’s role in fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals, technology experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, crucial for strengthening the U.S.-India healthcare partnership.
Dr Singh highlighted India’s healthcare advancements, including the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive, affirming the government’s commitment to ensuring universal healthcare access. He noted India’s evolution into a prominent hub for medical tourism and a leader in preventive healthcare, reducing dependency on medical facilities abroad.
Discussing technological advancements, Dr Singh emphasised the transformative impact of AI, machine learning, and telemedicine in democratising healthcare access across India, including remote areas. These technologies have significantly improved efficiency, reduced wait times, and enhanced overall healthcare delivery.
Acknowledging the integral role of public-private partnerships in healthcare, Dr Singh emphasised the collaborative efforts needed to address public health challenges effectively. He highlighted the rapid growth in India’s space sector, catalysing substantial private investments and fostering a robust startup ecosystem, particularly in healthcare innovation.
Dr Singh commended the Department of Biotechnology’s role in advancing translational health sciences, noting significant growth in bio-manufacturing and bio-foundry sectors, which have expanded tenfold in a decade. He underscored India’s pharmaceutical prowess, supplying a substantial portion of prescriptions filled in the U.S., and emphasised the strategic importance of Indo-U.S. collaborations in healthcare research and development.
OpenGov Asia reported on the review of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) with senior officials from the National Health Authority (NHA).
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda emphasised the schemes’ crucial role in achieving universal health coverage and directed officials to address implementation challenges promptly in collaboration with state governments. The session highlighted the schemes’ substantial impact, with over 347 million Ayushman cards issued, facilitating more than 73.5 million hospital admissions valued at ₹1 trillion.
He stressed leveraging technology for streamlined enrollment processes and gathering beneficiary feedback to enhance healthcare service delivery. The minister also reviewed fraud prevention measures and advancements in indigenous medical technologies aimed at boosting healthcare accessibility and affordability across India.
Similarly, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) orchestrated a major collaboration between SAMEER Mumbai and prominent industrial entities to advance indigenous healthcare technologies in India.
Stressing the importance of indigenous medical technologies like the 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner and the 6 MEV Linear Accelerator (LINAC), managed in conjunction with institutions such as C-DAC and IUAC, this collaboration aims to strengthen India’s healthcare infrastructure and reduce dependence on imported equipment.
These advancements show potential for improving healthcare access and affordability across the country, demonstrating India’s dedication to self-sufficiency and technological progress. They represent a significant step towards making indigenous healthcare solutions commercially viable, in line with India’s goal of using technology to benefit society and promote inclusive growth.
