India lagging in paperless healthcare adoption, says NITI Aayog member

Slow adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and the urgent need to scale up telemedicine were among the key concerns raised by NITI Aayog Member (Health), Dr VK Paul, at the fourth Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Digital Health Summit held in New Delhi.

Dr Paul, widely recognised for his role in shaping India’s Covid-19 policy response, emphasised the need to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for 66 per cent of all deaths in the country. He stressed the importance of enhancing primary prevention and early detection for conditions such as cancer and diabetes.

The session was hosted by PwC India’s Rana Mehta, with contributions from Shashank ND of Practo, Abhishek Yadav of Quadria Capital and Dilip Kumar from Rainmatter Health by Zerodha, alongside a keynote address by Dr Paul.

While citing Ayushman Arogya Mandirs as an entry point, Paul called for technological interventions to bridge screening and diagnostic gaps.

“Can AI accelerate TB elimination or support mass drug administration for diseases like malaria?” he asked, highlighting the role of technology in communicable disease control.

“Child nutrition and stunting remain challenges. Complementary feeding at six to eight months and newborn breastfeeding are critical, yet underutilised. Can AI and digital tools ensure timely interventions?” he added.

Dr Paul also advocated AI-integrated wearable solutions, particularly for maternal and child health.

“High-risk pregnancies need innovative solutions like AI-enabled wearables for real-time monitoring. We must integrate these technologies to improve maternal and child health outcomes,” he said.

Speaking on the broader industry, Shashank ND noted: “At just a decade old, India’s digital health industry can sustain 30 to 40 per cent growth rates with the right strategies.”

Abhishek Yadav highlighted regulatory hurdles and the lack of a cohesive ecosystem.

“Digital health solutions often operate in silos. True progress demands collaboration across the value chain,” he remarked. Dilip Kumar called for more inclusive innovation.

“Current innovations often target specific groups. We must design for all—children, women, the elderly, and mental health,” he emphasised.

Founded in 1895, CII is a non-governmental organisation working on industry-government collaboration, policy advocacy and initiatives in areas including health, sustainability and innovation.