Healthcare is closely linked with a nation’s development. In recent times, Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly stressed the transformative role of healthcare in shaping a developed and self-reliant India. The vision of a Viksit Bharat is incomplete without accessible, affordable, and tech-driven healthcare as its key element. The focus on leveraging digital health solutions, expanding universal healthcare coverage, and enhancing health infrastructure is seen as a vital component in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in healthcare.
The APAC News Network’s 10th National HealthTech Innovation Conclave and Awards centered around this theme brought together eminent personalities including Doctors from India’s top hospitals, Policymakers, and technology professionals to explore how healthcare can evolve to meet the needs of a rapidly advancing India. The domain experts deliberated upon the intersection of technology, innovation, and healthcare, and the manner in which a robust and inclusive healthcare system can be built through international collaborations.
Anannya Saraswat from CXO News and APAC News Networks sheds light on salient insights.
Designing a Roadmap for Digital Health Ecosystem through Collaboration: Making Public Healthcare Affordable and Accessible
Dr. Ajay Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, shared several innovative steps that the institution has taken to contribute to healthcare in India. AIIMS Bhopal has established a simulation lab where students, nurses, and paramedics can practice and hone their skills without the need to involve real patients. In addition, to make healthcare services accessible, the hospital has introduced a Tele-ICU service connecting district hospitals in Vidisha and Satna with AIIMS Bhopal.
“Our patient care innovation techniques such as the Tele-ICU service allow the patients in remote areas to receive expert consultations from AIIMS specialists without needing to transfer. The hospital is also offering doctor-to-doctor and doctor-to-patient teleconsultations and has connected 80 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) till now through these services.”
Talking about the initiatives that AIIMS Bhopal has taken to further integrate technology in healthcare, Dr. Singh provided insights about the AI-based systems and online platforms for registration, payments, and medical reports that the hospital has adopted. The institution is also leveraging the use of drone services to deliver healthcare facilities in remote tribal areas, furthering the idea of accessible healthcare. The hospital has also begun with robotic surgeries in some of its departments, with complete integration to be expected soon.
India is on its path to developing a robust digital health ecosystem by leveraging digital platforms, tools, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine. However, the successful implementation of a digital health infrastructure requires more than just advanced technologies- it demands seamless collaborations between diverse stakeholders including healthcare professionals, government bodies, and industry experts. Only an amalgamation of technological interventions and collaboration can help in overcoming the challenge of a fragmented healthcare system.
In light of this, Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts, rightly argued that the current fragmentation within the healthcare system- among policymakers, private and public sectors, regulators, and innovators- needs to be addressed through greater public-private partnerships.
“The first step is consolidation. Healthcare delivery in India is fragmented. If we don’t consolidate, we won’t be able to realize the dream of a Viksit Bharat with healthcare as one of its crucial elements.”
He highlighted that healthcare is only one aspect of wellness. A holistic idea encompasses physical, mental, social, and environmental well-being. Digital healthcare, by reducing treatment costs, improving access, and cutting down the time patients spend in hospitals, can empower patients to manage their overall wellness in a better way. He urged for stronger public-private collaboration in healthcare, wherein the private sector is not viewed with suspicion but as an essential partner in the development of health infrastructure.
Continuing the discussion on the need for collaboration in healthcare, Dr. Per-Arne Wikstrom, Counsellor, Innovation and Science, Embassy of Sweden, New Delhi, discussed the longstanding partnership between Sweden and India in healthcare and medical education.
The countries have a history of collaboration in the healthcare sector dating back over 100 years. He noted examples like the ‘three-point seat belt’ technology that Sweden provided to countries free of cost to save lives. He further highlighted the key areas for future collaboration with India including digital health and telemedicine, sustainable healthcare solutions, and preventive healthcare. In addition, India can also leverage Sweden’s expertise in life sciences, medical technologies, and minimally invasive surgery techniques. Moreover, Dr. Wikstrom discussed the possibility of establishing joint research centers and projects in AI-driven diagnostics, and advanced prosthetics, areas that could benefit both countries.
Bringing forward the state’s perspective, Urvashi Prasad, Former Director, Office of Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, provided insights on key shifts and trends in India’s healthcare system from a policy point of view.
She explained that historically, India’s healthcare system has been more focused on curative services with lesser emphasis on prevention. But now there is a shift in approach with a growing emphasis on strengthening primary healthcare, particularly through Health and Wellness Centres set up under Ayushman Bharat. However, these centers are yet not fully operational and face the challenge of ensuring the provision of comprehensive services such as screening and consultation across different regions. Prasad highlighted the potential of technology in addressing this issue:
“Integration of AI, Blockchain, and Telemedicine in primary and tertiary care can make healthcare inclusive. However, these technologies can not replace human resources in healthcare but rather become their aid for enhancing affordability and accessibility.”
AI-Powered Heart Health: Sunfox’s Spandan brings affordable ECGs to every pocket
Taking the discussion on affordable healthcare forward, Rajat Jain, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sunfox Technologies, introduced the gamechanger, an innovative cardiac monitoring device named ‘Spandan’. This matchbox-sized device offers accessible, affordable, and accurate ECG monitoring by detecting over 40 cardiac abnormalities using AI algorithms. It is simple to use, requiring no medical expertise, and can be used at home or by healthcare professionals. With an aim to address the lack of accessible cardiac care, especially in rural areas, the device offers a 99.76% accuracy rate, at a fraction of the cost of traditional hospital ECG machines.
Jain further mentioned that Spandan has already made a significant impact, including reducing heart attack deaths during pilgrimages. It is also widely used in clinics, hospitals, and even by the Indian army. Moreover, he highlighted that the device has already been integrated with telemedicine platforms like e-Sanjeevani, thereby expanding its potential and reach.
Improving Patient Experience & Operational Efficiency of Hospitals: Challenges and Opportunities
Leaders and decision-makers from top hospitals discussed roadblocks in streamlining and improving patient experience and the steps to be undertaken to enhance hospitals’ operational efficiency.
While highlighting that patient care and safety is a core focus at her hospital, Upasana Arora, Managing Director, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital, mentioned that the hospital has been abiding by all the digital standards and sustainability measures for improving patient experience. She emphasized the importance of technology in operational efficiency and patient care and laid forward three Mantras that the hospital has been following: Technology, Training, and Sustainability. She gave an example of a fumigation technology that the hospital has incorporated which sterilizes operation theatres in a short span of just 12 minutes. Further, to enhance patient experience, the hospital has introduced robotic surgeries that also help in optimizing blood usage.
Dr. Kousar, Executive Vice President & Zonal Head, Max Healthcare, while reflecting on the historical practices, recalled the cumbersome process of handling manual reports, contrasting it with the current streamlined digital systems that have greatly improved efficiency. While acknowledging the progress, he emphasized that hospitals must ensure these systems provide actionable insights to enhance management. He also shared notable improvements in hospital operations, particularly in radiology, where the transition from hard-copy to digital films has saved Rs. 7 to 8 lakhs monthly. As of now, 91% of radiology reports are digital, showcasing the financial and operational benefits of this shift. In addition, he discussed the importance of monitoring patient care through digitalized reports, which provide insights that often surprise doctors and lead to necessary adjustments in treatment plans. This data-driven approach helps optimize patient care without over-treatment.
“Emergency care has seen significant improvement as well, with patient footfall increasing by 45%, particularly among cash-paying patients. This shift reflects improvements in operational efficiency and billing processes.”
Dr. Mamta Jain, Chief Operating Officer, Shree Aggarsain International Hospital, highlighted key initiatives aimed at improving hospital efficiency, particularly in operating room management and laboratory cost savings. She discussed the creation of a patient scheduling system for surgeries in her hospital, emphasizing its impact on reducing OT delays.
“Surgeons are required to adhere to a strict schedule with only a 12-minute gap between procedures, ensuring timely patient care and optimal use of OT resources.”
In addition to OT efficiency, Dr. Jain stressed the importance of admitting patients on the same day of surgery to reduce unnecessary bed occupancy and enhance operational efficiency. Furthermore, she underscored the financial benefits of automating laboratory processes and implementing barcoding for samples.
“These changes have resulted in annual cost savings of two crores, eliminating what was previously considered sunk costs and improving the hospital’s financial health.”
Dr. Samir Singh, VP of Clinical Services, CK Birla Healthcare, described how digitalization has transformed operations, allowing for easier access to patient information. He shared success in reducing film usage in radiology, stating that as of today, 91% of films are not being printed.
Saurabh Gupta, Regional Chief Operating Officer, KIMS, emphasized the critical role of data and digitization in improving patient care. He highlighted the need for accurate data generation and the integration of AI and machine learning for effective healthcare analytics. Many hospitals, he noted, fail to leverage vast patient reports due to inaccuracies, limiting their potential.
Gupta identified that convincing doctors to adopt new healthcare processes is a major challenge, as they often resist change. He shared two strategies for overcoming this resistance: engaging influential, high-volume doctors to lead changes and using a bottom-up approach by aligning the majority of doctors to create pressure on key influencers.
A notable example of automation was shared by him in OPD settings, where Electronic Medical Records (EMR) were introduced with customized templates, significantly reducing OPD time and improving patient satisfaction. This system, piloted in one OPD, enhanced accessibility to lab reports and patient histories, which contributed to rising patient satisfaction.
The speakers collectively underscored the importance of technology integration, sustainability, and operational efficiency to improve patient care while reducing costs.
Tomorrow’s Smart Hospitals Here Today: Building a Smart and Digitally Connected Healthcare System
The future of healthcare is already unfolding with the rise of Smart Hospitals, where advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and robotics are revolutionizing patient care and operational efficiency. Experts from leading hospitals discussed how these digitally connected systems streamline clinical workflows, enhance diagnostics, and optimize resource management.
Dr. DK Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, Felix Hospital, addressed the operational complexities hospitals face, emphasizing the importance of efficiently managing non-clinical, clinical, and para-clinical operations. He advocated for the use of Hospital Information Systems (HIS) integrated with AI and IoT to boost operational efficiency and reduce reliance on human labor.
Dr. Gupta highlighted the challenges of integrating healthcare technology due to the lack of standardization across the industry. He called for standardized models for HIS that could be applied to hospitals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, as well as more advanced facilities.
Rahul Datta, Senior Vice President and Group Head at Ankura Hospital, emphasized that smart hospitals enhance patient experience, clinical outcomes, and operational efficiency by leveraging technology like AI, IoT, and Predictive Analytics. He stressed the importance of the “3 A’s”—Accessibility, Availability, and Affordability—and the “3 M’s”—Man, Money, and Material—as key pillars of smarter hospital operations.
Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, Founder Director, Ujala Cygnus Hospital, highlighted that the concept of a smart hospital is relative and must adapt based on time and geography. He believes smart hospitals should prioritize reducing time, saving money, and improving clinical outcomes for both patients and doctors, rather than focusing solely on technology.
“To be a smart hospital means to ensure we save time, money, and assure high clinical outcomes for both the patient and the doctor.”
Rajnish Khurana, Director Sales & Head of Digital Health Solutions, a solution provider company, discussed the role of technology in enhancing hospital workflows, particularly in operating room (OR) management, scheduling, and patient tracking. He emphasized the importance of using intuitive, user-friendly systems that not only improve efficiency but also enhance patient outcomes and experiences.
Khurana highlighted the value of modular and scalable technology solutions that allow for expertise sharing from distant locations through integrated systems. He cautioned hospitals against selecting vendors based solely on cost, stressing the need to consider long-term costs such as equipment downtime, which can offset initial savings.
Manisha Kumar, Regional COO, HCG Hospitals, identified two critical challenges in healthcare: the lack of robust IT infrastructure and the issue of interoperability between different systems. She stressed the importance of integrating digital and physical assets within hospitals to ensure seamless operations and improve efficiency.
“The most fundamental challenge is the lack of a robust IT infrastructure, and interoperability across healthcare systems remains a significant hurdle.”
From an oncology perspective, Manisha discussed the transformative impact of AI and machine learning, particularly in radiology imaging. She highlighted how AI-enabled systems assist doctors by identifying tumour characteristics and diagnostic metrics that might be overlooked, enhancing both diagnosis and research.
Dr. Deepak Balani, Medical Director, Sagar Hospitals, highlighted the diversity in India’s healthcare systems, ranging from legacy setups to modern hospitals. He emphasized the urgent need for an integrated Hospital Information System (HIS) that can manage the entire patient journey, from pre-hospital care to critical care and operating rooms. Drawing parallels with the US healthcare system under Obama’s administration, he called for regulatory measures to accelerate HIS adoption.
He also stressed that significant healthcare advancements stem from core medical technologies, such as improved surgical techniques and diagnostic automation. These advancements, rather than solely AI, are driving faster, safer, and more efficient patient care.
Dr. Sachin Jhawar, Director, Apex Hospital, emphasized the challenges in adopting technological solutions that are still in the beta phase, which often leads to disappointment.
“Technology should be as easy as WhatsApp, as reliable as email, and as affordable as Zoom.”
However, he encouraged hospitals to remain innovative, continuously evaluating new technologies for their ease of use, reliability, and affordability. Dr. Jhawar expressed excitement about the democratization of healthcare through technology, predicting that it will empower patients to have greater control over their treatment.
JP Dwivedi, Chief Information Officer, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & research Centre, highlighted the challenges faced by smart hospitals, such as literacy levels, technology costs, and telecommunication reach. He stressed that a smart hospital should aim to improve every patient touchpoint using safe, easy-to-use, and cost-effective technology. He also emphasized the importance of technology in managing sensitive areas, like CRM in cancer treatment, to ensure a smooth and efficient patient experience.
Dr. Ashutosh Srivastava, Medical Director, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, discussed the future of smart hospitals, predicting that individuals will become their own healthcare units with the help of advanced technology. He highlighted the role of AI-driven systems, such as convolutional neural networks, in making diagnostics more accessible, which will revolutionize healthcare and empower individuals to take charge of their own health.
The insights from various healthcare leaders emphasized the critical role of technology in transforming hospital operations, patient care, and clinical outcomes. While challenges such as IT infrastructure, interoperability, and technology adoption persist, advancements in AI, IoT, and predictive analytics are reshaping the landscape of smart hospitals. The focus remains on enhancing accessibility, affordability, and efficiency while ensuring that both patients and healthcare providers benefit from faster, safer, and more effective medical solutions.
Predicting the Future: Impact of GenAI, Cloud Computing, Robotics and Nextgen Technologies in Tomorrow’s Healthcare
The convergence of Generative AI, cloud computing, robotics, and next-generation technologies is set to revolutionize the healthcare landscape, ushering in an era of unprecedented innovation and efficiency. These advancements promise to enhance patient care through personalized medicine, streamline operational processes, and enable real-time data analytics for better decision-making. As healthcare systems adapt to these technological shifts, India’s top hospitals’ technology decision-makers discussed ways to create a more accessible, efficient, secure, and effective care model that addresses the evolving needs of patients and providers alike.
Praveen Bist, Chief Information Officer, Amrita Hospital, emphasized the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the healthcare sector, while also cautioning against the risks associated with errors in medical applications. He highlighted the innovative approach of Amrita Hospital wherein a customized AI solution akin to a personalized “My GPT,” is employed to address data privacy concerns effectively.
Praveen’s key insights underline the immense value of investing in technology, as he stated, “Even a single life saved or having a better patient experience pays for more than any investment you can possibly make.” This perspective reinforces the notion that enhancing patient outcomes justifies technological expenditures.
Moreover, he stressed the critical importance of security within healthcare systems. He asserted that comprehensive security measures must be integrated at all levels. To safeguard systems like Health Information Systems (HIS) and Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), rapid adoption of security practices such as penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and DevSecOps is essential. Praveen succinctly captured this necessity when he stated, “You need to have three layers of security: perimeter security, endpoint security, and development security.”
This multi-layered security approach is vital for protecting sensitive healthcare data and ensuring the integrity of healthcare delivery systems.
Prashant Vashisht, Chief Information Officer, Marengo Asia Healthcare highlighted the increasing acceptance of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in hospital settings while cautioning that AI is still in its developmental stages and requires a cohesive integration of people, processes, and infrastructure for successful implementation. He emphasized that for any new technology to be effective, three elements must be readily available, stating,
“For any new thing, you need three elements readily available: people, process, and infrastructure.”
Additionally, he pointed out the necessity for AI tools used in predictive analytics to be trained on local datasets, as existing models often fail to accurately represent the complexities of the Indian healthcare landscape. His insights underscored the critical importance of contextualizing technology to enhance its effectiveness in delivering healthcare solutions.
Dr. Shantanu Dhar, Sr. Manager IT, Clinical Applications, HCG Hospital, underlined the critical need for improved integration and adoption of Health Information Systems (HIS), Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), and other healthcare technologies to enhance operational efficiency in hospitals. He highlighted the importance of streamlining workflows and ensuring that physicians actively adopt these systems, which is essential for achieving optimal utilization.
“Rather than expanding their IT teams, hospitals can benefit from outsourcing technical tasks, allowing them to focus on functional experts who possess a deep understanding of healthcare-specific needs.”
According to Dr. Dhar, this approach will not only provide flexibility but will also grant access to specialized solutions that can drive better performance and outcomes in healthcare delivery.
Mohit Tandon, GM-IT, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute & Action Cancer Hospital, underscored the paramount importance of patient data security in healthcare, detailing how his hospital encrypts and customizes solutions to safeguard patient information from potential cyber threats. He emphasized the necessity of managing outsourcing partners through stringent IT Service Management (ITSM) processes, including the establishment of control boards and prioritization tools. These measures ensure that critical tasks related to patient care are addressed efficiently and effectively. Furthermore, he highlighted that cost management can be achieved through controlled prioritization, allowing the hospital to balance budgetary constraints while maintaining a focus on enhancing patient safety and security.
Himanshu Bhardwaj, Head HIS & IT Applications, Medanta- The Medicity, drew attention to the challenges posed by the lack of standardization in Health Information Systems (HIS), noting that while hospital processes may vary, there is a critical need for uniform service codification to enable seamless data sharing and processing. In his view, the future of healthcare will see the smooth integration of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) within hospital operations, leading to enhanced efficiency and improved patient care. Himanshu stressed that hospitals must accelerate the adoption of internet-enabled systems to facilitate better collaboration and more effective operation management in this evolving landscape.
Rupinder Singh, Chief Operating Officer, UnivLabs Technologies Pvt. Ltd., pointed out the potential of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to significantly enhance patient outcomes by providing continuous, real-time data that can be analyzed to inform patient-care decisions. However, he also pointed out the current challenges in leveraging IoT fully, particularly the inconsistency in data flow from these devices. Addressing these data reliability issues is essential for unlocking the full benefits of IoT in improving patient monitoring and overall healthcare delivery.
Nikhil Goel, Vice President & Head IT & Projects, Max Healthcare, discussed the growing threat of cyberattacks in healthcare, urging hospitals to adopt robust security measures to protect sensitive patient data. He advocated for proactive strategies to prevent cyber threat incidents.
Recognizing that healthcare is a highly regulated industry, Nikhil stressed that while there is pressure to deliver faster services, bypassing regulatory compliance is not an option. Instead, he highlighted the importance of innovating within these regulatory frameworks to ensure both security and efficiency in healthcare operations.
The Way Forward
While there is no doubt in the fact that the future of healthcare is being shaped by cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, cloud computing, and robotics, their full potential can only be realized through collaboration and careful integration. These technologies will undoubtedly enhance affordability, accessibility, and efficiency, but human expertise will always remain at the core to ensure the ethical and effective use of these tools. The path towards a “Viksit Bharat,” requires India’s healthcare sector to continue innovating while prioritizing a patient-centric approach, sustainable practices, and a resilient digital health infrastructure that can withstand emerging challenges.
Innovations definitely promise enhanced patient care, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making but the human workforce remains at the heart of healthcare delivery. Looking ahead, the future of healthcare will require a greater emphasis on collaboration across stakeholders—healthcare professionals, policymakers, and technology providers.
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