AI In Indian Healthcare: The Future Is Now, But Are We Ready?

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising sectors worldwide, and healthcare is at the forefront. In India, AI's integration into healthcare promises transformative changes, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, personalising treatment plans, and optimising resource management. However, despite its vast potential, it faces significant challenges that must be addressed to fully harness AI's benefits.

The first notable advantage of AI in healthcare is its ability to enhance diagnostics and predictive analytics. AI-powered tools can analyse vast amounts of medical data, identifying patterns and predicting disease outbreaks with unprecedented accuracy. For instance, AI algorithms can assist radiologists in detecting early signs of diseases such as cancer from medical imaging. IBM Watson has collaborated with various Indian hospitals to provide AI-driven solutions for oncology, aiding in early and accurate cancer diagnosis. This capability can significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling timely interventions.

Moreover, AI can process patient data to offer personalised treatment plans. By analysing a patient’s genetic makeup, lifestyle, and treatment responses, AI can suggest the most effective therapies. This personalised approach not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces the trial-and-error aspect of traditional treatments. Such advancements are crucial in a diverse and populous country like India, where healthcare needs can vary widely.

Operational efficiency is another area where AI can make a substantial impact. AI can streamline administrative tasks, reducing the burden on healthcare professionals. AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants can handle appointment scheduling, patient inquiries, and preliminary diagnostics. Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd., for example, has implemented AI chatbots to assist patients in booking appointments and answering health-related queries, thereby improving operational efficiency and patient satisfaction. These innovations free up medical staff to focus more on patient care.

Despite these promising benefits, significant challenges remain. The use of AI in healthcare involves handling vast amounts of sensitive patient data, making data privacy and security paramount. The potential for data breaches and misuse of personal health information is a significant concern. India's current data protection framework needs to be robust enough to address these issues. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is a step in the right direction, but its implementation and enforcement will be critical to ensure data security and build public trust. Integrating AI solutions with existing systems poses another challenge.

Many Indian healthcare providers still rely on traditional, paper-based records. Integrating AI and digital health solutions requires significant investment in digital infrastructure and ensuring the interoperability of AI tools with existing systems. Additionally, training healthcare professionals to work alongside AI tools and interpret AI-generated insights is crucial.

Collaborations between educational institutions and healthcare providers can play a pivotal role in addressing this skill gap, ensuring that the workforce is equipped to leverage AI's full potential. Looking ahead, a clear and comprehensive policy framework is essential for the ethical and effective deployment of AI in healthcare. Regulatory framework must establish guidelines for the use of AI in medical practice, ensuring that these technologies meet high standards of accuracy and reliability. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, along with agencies like the National Health Authority, should take the lead in formulating these regulations.

Public-private partnerships can also accelerate the adoption of AI in healthcare. Collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia can facilitate the sharing of resources, knowledge, and expertise, driving innovation and ensuring that AI solutions are accessible and affordable. Pilot projects and research initiatives can further demonstrate the practical benefits of AI in healthcare and identify potential pitfalls. For instance, NITI Aayog's collaboration with Google to develop an AI-based tool for diabetic retinopathy screening in India is a commendable effort. Such initiatives provide valuable insights and build confidence among stakeholders.

The potential of AI to revolutionise healthcare in India is immense. As we stand on the brink of this transformative era, it is essential to address the challenges and harness the opportunities that AI presents. Data privacy and security must be prioritised to build public trust, with robust regulations ensuring patient information remains confidential and secure.

As Sundar Pichai, chief executive officer of Google, aptly said, “AI is one of the most important things humanity is working on. It is more profound than electricity or fire.” The question, "Are we ready yet?" is not just about technology readiness but also about our collective will to embrace and adapt to this ground-breaking technology. The journey is complex and filled with challenges, but with concerted efforts, India can pave the way for a future where AI-driven healthcare becomes a reality.

As we navigate this transformative journey, the words of Stephen Hawking remind us of the potential: “AI will be either the best or the worst thing ever to happen to humanity. We do not yet know which.” India's readiness for AI in healthcare hinges on our ability to address these challenges thoughtfully and proactively. The path forward is clear: with the right policies, investments, and collaborations, AI can truly transform healthcare in India, offering unprecedented benefits to patients and providers alike.

Biplab Lenin is partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.

The views expressed here are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of NDTV Profit or its editorial team.