In the inaugural address of the Digital Health Summit 2023, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel,
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, emphasized the urgency of providing affordable, quality healthcare to India’s 80 crores of underprivileged rural population. The summit, organized by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), explores the transformative potential of digital technology for the healthcare sector.
According to Prof. Baghel, healthcare facilities across different socio-economic strata must be of uniform quality. Highlighting the Ayushman Bharat Card as a crucial tool for reaching the country’s poorest, the Minister also emphasized the importance of data security for the medical records of rural populations. He called for a robust regulatory body to further bolster the healthcare sector.
The IAMAI Digital Health Summit 2023 is the first of its kind, focusing on positioning India as a global leader in digital healthcare. With rapid technological advancements shaping the future of the healthcare sector, the summit was a platform for industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders to deliberate on technical solutions to the current issues plaguing healthcare.
Prashant Tandon, CEO of TATA 1mg and Chair of the IAMAI Healthtech Committee, viewed this moment as India’s chance to create new healthcare models that could influence international practices. He cited India’s strong tech capacity, quality and quantity of data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data security as key factors giving the country a unique opportunity to lead.
Dr. Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Health Strategy Officer at Practo and Co-Chair of the IAMAI Healthtech Committee echoed this sentiment. He stated that India is on the verge of becoming a global leader in digital healthcare, with innovative surgical care schemes and other practices.
