All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has announced an investment exceeding Rs 300 crore for the development of digital infrastructure. This announcement was made by Dr. M. Srinivas, the Director of AIIMS, during a meeting held in the national capital. The meeting, which saw the participation of leaders from healthcare, technology, and policy sectors, was centered around the discussion of AI’s transformative potential in revolutionizing health awareness and patient education empowerment.
The participants shared insights into how AI could bridge critical gaps in health communication, making information more accessible, reliable, and patient-centric. Dr. Srinivas, in his address, emphasized the revolutionary impact of AI on various aspects of healthcare, from patient care to health communication. He stated, We are investing over Rs 300 crore in digital infrastructure to ensure that every stakeholder — patients, doctors, and researchers — benefits from this innovation. By integrating AI, we can improve efficiency, reduce delays, and enable world-class research.
The experts at AIIMS also highlighted the need to bridge the gap of misinformation by delivering accurate, easily understandable, and personalized healthcare information via AI to people across diverse demographics. This approach, they believe, will empower patients and improve their engagement with healthcare systems, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.
Dr. Kavita Narayan, Senior Technical Advisor, HRH for Health Systems at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, echoed similar sentiments. She stated, A good health system isn’t reliant on individuals. AI can play a vital role in making healthcare more accurate, compassionate, and equitable. However, the experts also cautioned against overdependence on technology at the expense of human connection. K.P. Kochhar, Professor and Head of the Physiology Department at AIIMS, stressed the importance of balancing innovation with empathy in healthcare. He said, While AI can enhance precision and efficiency, we must preserve the human touch in healthcare. Compassion and technology must work together to create systems that prioritize the well-being of patients.
This development at AIIMS is reminiscent of the global trend of integrating AI into healthcare systems. For instance, in the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the use of AI in healthcare, with AI being used to predict patient outcomes, assist in diagnosis, and even in the development of personalized treatment plans. However, as we move forward, it is crucial to remember the words of James Kadtke, an expert on converging technologies at the U.S. National Defense University. He stated, Whether we can control both these trends for positive outcomes is a public policy issue more than a technological one.