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Indian healthcare is increasingly recognizing the value of integrating technology, particularly in diagnostics. This according to the sector will propel preventive diagnostics in India’s rural and remote areas.
According to Chander Shekhar Sibal, vice president & HOD, medical systems division, Fujifilm India, “Our country is at the cusp of a healthcare revolution. Despite significant strides in digital health, government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and increasing investments in diagnostics, a major gap remains between urban and rural healthcare access. The divide is most stark in the early detection and management of chronic diseases, where the lack of infrastructure and trained personnel remains a significant barrier.
There is an acute shortage of skilled professionals and diagnostic tools. Quoting the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence, he stated that there is only one allopathic doctor for every 10,926 people in rural India, making timely diagnosis and treatment difficult.
It is here emerging innovations in portable diagnostics, AI-powered imaging, and cloud-enabled data integration offer unprecedented opportunities to bridge this divide. As a result, diseases such as asthma, COPD, and tuberculosis are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to the absence of essential diagnostic tools, he noted.
Also, AI-assisted triage and diagnostic algorithms help interpret clinical data in real-time, supporting healthcare workers who may not have specialist expertise. These solutions, integrated with telehealth platforms, ensure specialists can remotely review cases, offering guidance and ensuring continuity of care. India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) has already piloted AI-driven diagnostic tools, underscoring the potential for smarter, data-driven public health interventions, Sibal told Pharmabiz in an email.
There is an imminent need for an ecosystem collaboration which is the key to last-mile reach, noted Sibal adding that innovation alone will not solve the challenge. Success hinges on public-private partnerships, local manufacturing, and scalable training programmes to build capacity at the grassroots level.
Equipping community health workers with the tools and training they need will be crucial in turning early detection from an aspiration into a scalable reality. We need government policies that incentivize innovation while also fostering frameworks that allow for the swift adoption of new diagnostic technologies, he observed.
For a future-ready, inclusive vision for India’s healthcare, there is need for a robust, AI-integrated diagnostic infrastructure that is scalable, accurate, and durable. By transitioning from reactive treatment to predictive and preventive healthcare, we can ensure that every Indian receives timely and accurate diagnosis and care, no matter their location, he said.
Implementing scalable innovation and aligning it with the country’s challenges will redefine healthcare delivery. Together, we can empower millions in rural and semi-urban India to combat chronic diseases effectively.
India’s healthcare transformation requires a new approach to diagnostics, one that integrates technology, collaboration, and visionary leadership. We are bridging the urban-rural divide with innovative solutions that make healthcare accessible to all with our portable diagnostic devices, powered by AI that can operate in resource-constrained environments. Here with government agencies and local health providers, we are deploying diagnostic solutions at primary healthcare centres, said Sibal.
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