India’s UHC Future: AI, Telemedicine & ABHA ID Transforming Care - Dr Sunil Rao

As India is making strides toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and at the heart of this journey is technology. While the country faces some unique healthcare challenges, we now have good opportunity to embrace the digital health revolution.

With the power of artificial intelligence (AI), telemedicine, and other cutting-edge technologies, we can make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and high-quality for everyone across the nation.

As India pushes forward with UHC, digital health is becoming an essential pillar of the effort. The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is laying the groundwork for a connected healthcare system, and the goal is clear: digitize health records so that they're easy to access and share.

This move will help healthcare providers offer more seamless care, reduce redundant testing, and enable better decision-making.Looking ahead, integrating electronic health records (EHR) and telemedicine systems will ensure that healthcare professionals can provide timely, accurate care — even in the most remote areas of India.

The real strength of digital health isn’t just about storing information; it’s about using real-time health data to monitor patient conditions, predict potential risks, and offer more personalized treatments that improve patient outcomes.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly playing a vital role in the healthcare sector. Whether it's predicting patient outcomes or helping doctors with diagnoses, AI is improving the precision and efficiency of care.

For example, AI is already being used to detect diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease earlier, which significantly boosts the chances of successful treatment.Moreover, AI can analyse vast amounts of health data, helping us identify emerging trends and plan for better healthcare delivery.

This ability can assist policymakers in making informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and ensure that underserved regions, often lacking specialist care, aren’t left behind.

Another segment aiding the development of healthcare is the provision of telemedicine. Visiting the doctor is essential to maintain ones health but is oftentimes hard to do for individuals in rural areas.

Telemedicine is a practice that is very helpful to rural patients. Remote monitoring of chronic illnesses, virtual consults, and post op check-ins are great examples of how telemedicine creates more affordable and accessible healthcare. Travel costs to visit a physician are eliminated and patients are able to see physicians who are in urban areas.

All of these advances in digital health are centered on the ABHA ID. Ayushman Bharat Digital Health ID (ABHA ID) is a digital ID that helps users manage their health information. The ABHA ID helps practitioners access the most relevant records when needed. Keeping records up to date is made more efficient and effective.

ABHA system allows functionality in health service systems and delivers patients the power to manage their own information.For doctors, this system helps ensure that patient data is continually updated, improving care coordination, and minimizing the need for repetitive tests or treatments.

When implemented properly, technology can address several critical gaps in India’s healthcare system:

1. Access to Care: Digital health tools, telemedicine, and AI solutions can provide healthcare access to people in rural and remote areas, where specialists are often scarce.

2. Affordability: AI-powered diagnostics and digital health services can reduce unnecessary tests and streamline healthcare delivery, making it more affordable for patients and reducing overall costs for the healthcare system.

3. Quality of Care: With AI tools and digital records, healthcare providers can offer personalized, evidence-based treatments, which will lead to better health outcomes across India.

4. Workforce Training: The growing role of digital health creates ample opportunities for healthcare professionals to upskill and stay up-to-date with the latest medical technologies and treatment methods.

India looks to expand its Universal Health Coverage program. Covering the entire population would require the government to expand the country's digital health program. This goal is both attainable and realistic. Health tech infrastructure, government digital systems, and workforce training would allow the government to build a digital health system that meets the population’s needs.

While achieving UHC will require continued commitment from both the government and doctors, India is already on the right track. With initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the country is laying the foundation for a healthcare system that is not only sustainable but also forward-thinking and resilient.

As AI, telemedicine, and digital health solutions are more widely adopted, India is moving closer to building a healthcare system that is inclusive, accessible, and ready for the future.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Health Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Health Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.