AI in Healthcare: Transforming India’s Health System
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a myth, but is now changing how healthcare systems work. From early detection of diseases to innovative health systems, artificial intelligence is helping doctors, healthcare workers, and policymakers provide better care to patients. This report explains the major points from the Government of India’s latest press release on how AI is reshaping healthcare delivery.
A Big Step Forward: AI Meets Healthcare
The Government of India is integrating AI in healthcare to make it more affordable and effective for millions of patients, especially in places where doctors and resources are very limited. This is part of the vision for Universal Health Coverage and India’s long-term development goal for Vikshit Bharat by 2047.
Two Core Principles
- Democratisation of technology: AI tools are being used all over the world, including rural and less developed areas, making it accessible to all patients and benefiting them.
- Technology for humanity: The goal is to solve real problems with effective treatments and advance the well-being of the public.
This effort grew out of the earlier National Strategy for AI and is now part of the government’s broader commitment to public-service transformation.
How is AI in Healthcare Improving Public Health
AI is not just one tool. It’s helping improve multiple healthcare systems by making them proactive, intelligent, and fast.
Here’s how:
1. Better Screening of Diseases and their Detection
AI systems are helping in identifying diseases faster and more accurately:
- TB Management: AI flags patients at high risk of treatment failure and predicts outcomes, helping reduce the TB burden.
- DeepCXR (Chest X-ray): AI reads X-rays to detect signs of tuberculosis.
- Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) Checks: An AI tool, MadhuNetrAI, helps non-specialists take photos of the retina and automatically categorises them according to the urgency of care.
These tools help healthcare workers detect problems early and refer cases to experts when needed, even in remote areas.
2. AI-Powered Telemedicine
India’s eSanjeevani platform uses AI to assist doctors in diagnosing patients during virtual visits:
- Between April 2023 and November 2025, 282 million consultations were handled with AI support.
- More than 12 million patients benefited from AI-recommended diagnostic suggestions.
This is helpful when hospitals and specialists are far away from the patients.
3. Blending Traditional Knowledge with AI
India is using AI in healthcare to modernize the traditional medical systems, for example:
- Ayurgenomics & Ayush Grid: AI tools that study human genetics and Ayurvedic texts to identify disease markers and provide better treatment recommendations. This was recognised by WHO in July 2025.
4. Data & Research for Better Care
AI in healthcare is not just about diagnosing diseases but is also empowering research:
- Cancer Imaging Biobank: A database of 20,000 cancer patient records (including radiology and pathology images) helps researchers build AI tools for detection and better cancer care.
5. Keeping an Eye on Public Health Threats
AI is used in systems that detect the early signs of disease outbreaks. For example:
- Media Disease Surveillance: AI scans news, reports across socials, and digital signals to detect clusters of suspicious symptoms. This system has issued more than 4,500 alerts since 2022, helping authorities prepare and respond more quickly.
6. Fighting Fraud & Improving Trust
Within healthcare schemes like PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat), AI helps detect fraud:
- AI models watch for suspicious claims and transactions in real time.
- This moves fraud detection from slow, reactive investigation to real-time, proactive oversight.
Infrastructure That Supports Safe AI Use
To make sure AI tools work well and safely, the government has put several systems and standards in place:
- Centres of Excellence for AI: Designated at leading hospitals and research centers like AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh to develop home-grown solutions.
- Open Benchmarking Platforms: Partnerships with institutions such as IIT Kanpur enable testing and validation of AI health models using real data.
- Ethical Guidelines: All AI tools follow strict ethical standards to protect privacy and ensure data security.
- AI Strategy for Health: The Ministry of Health is developing a healthcare-specific AI plan that brings together public and private stakeholders.
Real-World Example: AI Tackles Malnutrition
In Maharashtra’s Etapalli district, authorities found many students in a local school to be undernourished. An AI-enabled food-analysis machine was introduced in the school cafeteria. Using advanced image recognition, the machine checked meals against government nutrition standards – analyzing over 2,100 data points. After adjustments to menus and food preparation, student nutrition improved noticeably.
This project is just one example of how AI is used beyond hospitals – even in public nutrition and welfare programs.
Global Health Dialogue: India-AI Impact Summit 2026
India is hosting the Global South’s first international AI summit in New Delhi, from 16-20 February 2026. This event brings global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and experts together to discuss AI policy, research, industry partnerships, and public engagement.
