The convergence of digital innovation, shifting demographics, and changing patient expectations is creating unprecedented opportunities to address longstanding challenges of access, affordability, and quality of healthcare in India, the founder and chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group writes
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising diagnostics, homes are becoming seamless extensions of health care, and innovation is accelerating to meet the growing demand for advanced care solutions.
Illustration: Chaitanya Dinesh Surpur
India’s health care landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation that will redefine care delivery for 1.4 billion citizens. The traditional hospital-centric model is rapidly evolving into a technology-driven ecosystem that extends care beyond institutional walls. Artificial intelligence is revolutionising diagnostics, homes are becoming seamless extensions of health care, and innovation is accelerating to meet the growing demand for advanced care solutions. This convergence of digital innovation, shifting demographics, and changing patient expectations is creating unprecedented opportunities to address longstanding challenges of access, affordability and quality. As we move from reactive treatment to proactive and personalised care, these disruptive forces promise to democratise health care across urban centers and rural communities alike, bridging gaps that have persisted for decades.
Artificial intelligence is being integrated into radiology, pathology, and specialty treatments to aid quicker and more accurate diagnosis and individualised care. Across India, health care providers are implementing AI systems for early-stage breast cancer screening through non-invasive, radiation-free thermal imaging. Step-down ICUs have also been implemented that monitor Modified Early Warning Scores (MEWS), helping doctors take proactive clinical interventions before patient deterioration occurs.
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine across the country. Teleconsultation platforms report significant growth, with consultations increasing by over 500 percent during the pandemic. The Ministry of Health’s eSanjeevani platform has crossed over 130 million consultations as of 2024, showing that teleconsultation is here to stay.
With the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), India is aiming to create a unified digital health ecosystem. Blockchain ensures tamper-proof storage and exchange of health records, enhancing patient autonomy and reducing duplication of diagnostics.
(This story appears in the 30 May, 2025 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)