Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a defining role in the next phase of growth in India’s healthcare sector by improving patient care, strengthening digital health systems, and expanding healthcare access to the last mile, according to Sunil Kumar Barnwal, National Health Authority (NHA) CEO. Speaking at a healthcare session organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Barnwal highlighted the growing importance of AI across multiple healthcare touchpoints and its potential to empower patients while making healthcare services more accessible across the country. “The next phase of growth in healthcare will be driven by AI and its use across multiple touchpoints of care to empower the consumer and make health accessible to the last mile,” Barnwal said.
AI Helped Shape Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Barnwal also revealed that artificial intelligence played a significant role in developing the foundational blueprints for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), India’s flagship digital healthcare initiative aimed at building an integrated digital health ecosystem. The ABDM seeks to streamline healthcare delivery through digital health records, interoperable systems, and technology-driven healthcare access across urban and rural India.
NHA Encourages Adoption of Digital Claims Platform
During the session, Barnwal urged healthcare providers to register under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and adopt the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) platform to simplify and accelerate the claims settlement process. The NHCX platform has been designed to create a unified digital infrastructure for healthcare claims processing, helping improve efficiency, transparency, and interoperability between insurers, hospitals, and healthcare providers. Barnwal also praised CII’s efforts in promoting awareness about the NHCX platform among healthcare organisations and payors across the country.
India Has Opportunity to Build Future-Ready Healthcare System
Addressing the gathering, CII Healthcare Council Chairman Naresh Trehan said India’s “Viksit Bharat” vision presents a major opportunity to reshape the country’s healthcare system over the next two decades. Trehan emphasized that while no country has yet created a perfect healthcare model, India possesses world-class medical talent capable of driving healthcare innovation and transformation. He noted that nearly 22 percent of heads of departments in leading hospitals across the United States are of Indian origin, highlighting India’s strong contribution to global healthcare expertise.
Experts Call for Strong AI Governance in Healthcare
Former NITI Aayog member (Health), VK Paul stressed the importance of establishing robust regulatory and policy frameworks for the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. He also highlighted the growing role of healthcare data in shaping effective policy decisions and improving healthcare outcomes. As AI adoption accelerates, experts believe data governance, ethical AI deployment, and patient privacy will become increasingly important for ensuring responsible innovation in the healthcare sector.
Focus on Inclusive Healthcare and Maternal Health
Archana Vyas, India Country Director for the Gates Foundation underlined the importance of reducing preventable maternal and child deaths while ensuring healthcare services reach underserved and marginalised communities.She stated that the Gates Foundation continues to focus its programmes on improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations through targeted interventions and partnerships.
AI Expected to Strengthen India’s Healthcare Ecosystem
With increasing digital adoption, policy support, and advancements in artificial intelligence, industry leaders believe AI-powered healthcare solutions could significantly improve diagnostics, claims processing, preventive care, and healthcare accessibility across India. As repoted by msn.com, the discussions at the CII session reflected growing optimism that technology-driven healthcare systems will play a crucial role in building a more inclusive, efficient, and future-ready healthcare ecosystem in the country.