AI enables better, more inclusive healthcare
The pandemic was pivotal to
healthcare
's digital transformation. Overnight, locked-down populations switched to telemedicine to consult their doctors.
The pharmaceuticals industry leveraged the computing power of advanced digital technologies – cloud computing, machine learning and advanced analytics – to crash vaccine development timelines.
India used its vast digital public infrastructure to manage the world's largest vaccination drive against Covid-19.
This also proved beyond doubt the role of digital technologies in bridging the healthcare gap, which in 2021 saw 4.5 billion people worldwide having inadequate access to essential health services. Here are some ways in which healthcare systems can use advanced technological solutions to progress towards
universal health coverage
:
Improving access to healthcare services and medical records
Enabling online consultation, patient monitoring and treatment, telemedicine is dramatically easing healthcare access for patients who live in remote, underserved locations, or are excluded due to other reasons.
The telemedicine market in India, estimated at $1.10 Bn in 2022, is projected to grow rapidly to touch $5.15 Bn in 2030. The government is spearheading the growth in digital health: The Health Ministry's national telemedicine initiative, eSanjeevani, has served more than 377 million smartphone users thus far.
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan
Arogya Yojana
, offering free treatment benefits to those above the age of 70, had digitally onboarded 370 million users at the end of March 2025.
Smart, wearable fitness devices and mobile health apps can track health and physiological data, such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen level, calories burned and sleep pattern, which can be shared with healthcare providers for regular monitoring and proactive intervention in time of need.
What's more, AI-powered health coaches analyse a range of health and fitness parameters to offer personalised recommendations and motivation for improving diet, exercise, sleep and wellness.
An important way to streamline healthcare delivery is ensuring seamless information flows across the healthcare ecosystem. AI, combined with other digital technologies such as blockchain, integrates data across healthcare entities, including clinics, hospitals, testing labs and insurance companies, to improve care coordination, reduce duplicate testing, and allow patients unbroken access to health records from any location.
The use of a blockchain ledger protects sensitive healthcare data from tampering, theft and accidental exposure, while allowing it be securely accessed by owners (patients) and their authorised healthcare providers.
Easing the burden on resources
Weak affordability, poor awareness, and lack of proximity are major reasons why so many people do not get adequate medical care. However, an overburdened healthcare system is also a big contributor to the healthcare gap.
The
World Health Organization
projects a shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030, mainly in the poorer countries. Artificial intelligence solutions can address this challenge to a great extent by automating myriad tasks to free up time that physicians and other healthcare workers can utilise for attending to patients.
The latest AI tools can analyse massive medical information, including imaging data, to produce diagnoses that are faster and more accurate than what human beings can achieve, even in the case of complex ailments such as cancer, neurological disorders and cardiovascular disease.
Hospital analytics solutions can analyse patient traffic, hospital capacities, and other data to optimise resource allocation and improve patient coverage.
Natural Language Processing – a specialised branch of AI that enables machines to understand and communicate in the natural language used by humans – can further ease the burden on providers: By automatically extracting critical data from patients' health records at the point of care, NLP frees up physicians' time and also keeps clinical documentation up-to-date.
Providers can also use NLP to process unstructured patient data to identify suitable candidates for clinical trials much more efficiently. NLP-based translation apps can break down language barriers between care givers and patients to improve communication and treatment delivery.
Predicting disease incidence and resource needs
Predictive analytics solutions leveraging AI can analyse population data to identify at-risk segments, enabling proactive, targeted intervention. At an individual level, the solutions can identify patients with a higher likelihood of developing complications or needing readmission, and recommend preventive measures, including lifestyle changes and follow-up care.
Predictive models play a key role in precision medicine by helping to personalise treatment plans – for example, what medicine to use, in what doses – based on patients' health parameters and response to earlier treatments.
Other applications of predictive AI include forecasting resource requirements and predicting metrics, such as bed occupancy, to optimise staffing and allocate hospital resources effectively.
Medical NLP is supporting predictive analytics by uncovering hidden patterns in reports faster and more accurately, to yield new insights into diseases and treatments that providers can leverage to improve healthcare outcomes.
Universal Health Coverage by 2030, featuring among the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, is still a distant dream. Worldwide, billions of people continue to lack access to medical care.
Even as governments and healthcare systems take action at multiple levels, from expanding medical infrastructure to improving awareness, to address this challenge, artificial intelligence and other advanced digital technologies can come to their assistance by improving access, automating activities and anticipating resource requirements.
This article is written by
Venky Ananth
, EVP and
Global Head
of Healthcare, Infosys
(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETHealthworld.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHealthworld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rise in Cov cases with mild symptoms, outbreak nears plateau: Docs
1 2 3 Kolkata: The number of Covid patients with mild symptoms shot up in Kolkata over the last week, indicating that the outbreak is about to reach a plateau and taper off with a subsequent dip, say experts. Several hospitals have already seen a drop in patients testing positive at their outpatient departments (OPD), while those testing positive now have very mild symptoms. Although very few of these patients were admitted, the rise in transmission would help to halt the spread, doctors said. "Once half the city's population gets the infection, numbers will start dipping. We saw a spurt last week, while the numbers have started dipping over the last three to four days. Most patients have very mild symptoms — low fever and cough — with a few getting respiratory tract infections that are manageable at home. The elderly with comorbidities continue to be admitted, but now their number should start dropping," said Manipal Hospital Dhakuria infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty. Peerless Hospital has seen a drop in number of patients for the first time since June 1. The hospital tested 65 patients between June 1 and 15, of whom 35 were positive. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "While some, including kids, needed admission, most had mild symptoms and were treated at the OPD. The positivity rate was above 50% till Friday when just one tested positive. None tested positive on Saturday and Sunday," said Peerless chief microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhury. CMRI Hospital has nine patients admitted, down from an average of 14 till last week. The current strain is very transmissible but triggers mild symptoms that led to a quick spread, said CMRI pulmonology director Raja Dhar. "Symptoms have been restricted to mild fever and cough for the vast majority, and they, of course, don't require admission. We have seen a proliferation of young patients with symptoms, which indicates that the spread has hastened and a plateau is imminent," added Dhar. He added that the hospital admitted just two patients in last four days and plans to start reducing the number of isolation beds by next week from the current 14 to six if the trend persists. Even though several patients are admitted at Fortis Hospital Anandapur, many more have been treated at the OPD and did not require admission, said Fortis pulmonologist Sushmita Roychowdhury. "Severe cases are still happening but have slid. Many more have mild symptoms now, which is an indication that we are finally heading towards a plateau," said Roychowdhury. Manipal Hospitals have multiple patients across its four units, including four at Dhakuria. "Barring a couple, the rest have severe lung or cardiac ailments or have hypertension and diabetes. They tested Covid positive on admission, but their symptoms are largely mild and manageable," added Chakrabarty. While the Dhakuria unit now has 10 Covid beds, including five at the ICU, the Mukundapur unit has five isolation cabins, and the Salt Lake unit has another five. Medica has isolation cabins with separate entry and exit points. Sources said both Medica and Mukundapur have elderly patients with comorbidities who tested positive on admission.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
A new Covid variant Nimbus aka ‘razor blade throat' is on the rise. All you need to know
India is witnessing a fresh uptick in COVID-19 cases, with over 7,000 active infections and more than 70 deaths reported recently. While SARS-CoV-2 has become a recurring seasonal presence, much like influenza, a new variant, NB.1.8.1, nicknamed 'Nimbus', is drawing global attention for its unusually painful symptom: a sore throat that some are describing as feeling like 'razor blades.' Indian doctors confirm that a few patients have reported this distressing feature. Where has the Nimbus spread? The NB.1.8.1 variant has spread rapidly across China and Hong Kong, and cases have now been detected in several US states, including California, Washington, Virginia, and New York, according to an Associated Press report. Australia has also recorded cases. In the UK, 13 cases were confirmed in June, accompanied by a nearly 10 per cent rise in hospitalisations, The Independent reported. The variant and symptoms have also been detected in India. By mid-May, NB.1.8.1 accounted for nearly 11 per cent of all sequenced COVID samples globally, signaling a rapid rise in circulation. What are the symptoms? The most reported and defining symptom of the Nimbus variant is a severely painful sore throat. Other symptoms include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the variant does not appear to cause more severe illness than previous strains and is currently considered low risk. What has WHO said? The WHO has classified NB.1.8.1 as a 'variant under monitoring,' indicating that while it is spreading, it doesn't yet pose a major threat. The organisation has also confirmed that current COVID-19 vaccines remain effective in preventing severe outcomes linked to the variant. 'The WHO assesses the additional risk to the global public as currently low, and existing COVID-19 vaccines are considered effective in preventing severe disease,' Dr Naveed Asif, a general practitioner at The London General Practice, told The Independent. Which vaccines offer protection? Vaccines approved by the US FDA – Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax – are expected to be effective against NB.1.8.1, especially because it belongs to the Omicron JN.1 lineage. An article by New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center stresses the importance of staying up-to-date with boosters. Those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension should take extra precautions, as their immune response may not be as robust. Why Nimbus spreads faster Scientists believe NB.1.8.1 may spread more efficiently due to stronger binding with human cells. A Gavi report noted that the variant binds tightly to the ACE2 receptor, which SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter the body. 'Using lab-based models, researchers found NB.1.8.1 had the strongest binding affinity to the human ACE2 receptor of several variants tested,' said virologist Lara Herrero from Griffith University in The Conversation, 'suggesting it may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains.' Dr Chun Tang, a general practitioner at UK-based Pall Mall Medical, added that while the variant isn't drastically different from Omicron, 'some tweaks to its spike protein' may make it more transmissible or help it evade immunity. 'What sets NB.1.8.1 apart is how quickly it spreads,' said Dr Magdalena Sobieszczyk, Chief of Infectious Diseases at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia. 'It has a genetic advantage: mutations that make it easy for it to bind to receptors on human cells.' Prevention is key Precautions remain largely the same. Mask up in crowded places, cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing, wash and sanitise your hands regularly, and avoid stepping out if unwell. Ventilated spaces remain safer, especially during spikes in transmission. No, 'Nimbus' isn't a Harry Potter reference While some may associate 'Nimbus' with the magical broomstick from 'Harry Potter' or characters from 'Rick and Morty', the nickname actually refers to a type of cloud. Professor T Ryan Gregory of the University of Guelph in Canada explained to Gavi' that naming conventions like 'Nimbus' (NB.1.8.1) and 'Stratus' (XFG) help make emerging variants easier to track and communicate to the public.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Younger population seeing high rates of infection amid Covid surge: Experts
As India confronts a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, doctors suggest that the virus is disproportionately affecting younger age groups, with the 18-45 age bracket bearing the brunt of the infection. According to data available on the Union health ministry's Covid dashboard, India has 5,976 active cases from 29 states and Union Territories (UTs) as of June 19. Of these, Kerala has the highest caseload at 1,309, followed by Gujarat and Delhi at 1,046 and 632 cases, respectively. While the government does not give an age- or gender-wise breakup of cases, doctors are seeing a noticeable increase in Covid-19 cases among young adults, specifically those aged between 18 and 45. Tushar Tayal, consultant-internal medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, said that on average, 10-12 patients per day were coming to him with flu-like symptoms and a small but steady percentage of them were testing positive for Covid-19. 'This may be indicative of a silent surge that is frequently overlooked because other viral infections overlap and (there's) an overall reduction in the rate of testing,' he added. Aakashneel Bhattacharya, consultant-infectious diseases at Paras Heath in Gurugram said that 80-85 per cent of Covid patients coming to him fell into the same 18-45 age bracket. Young adults previously considered to be at relatively low risk of severe illness are now showing heightened susceptibility, particularly those with a poor follow-up history of vaccination or waning immunity. Divya K S, an infectious disease specialist at Apollo Hospitals in Sheshadripuram, Bengaluru, said that waning immunity over the years, in addition to the emergence of immune-evading strains, made the younger population more vulnerable. Tayal said that in the 18-25 age group, most came with high-grade fever, throat pain, tiredness, body pain, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea or diarrhoea. Some also complained of a dry cough lasting for days and mild difficulty in breathing. In individuals over 30, symptoms persisted longer, and there were more instances of prolonged fatigue or post-viral cough, he added. Commenting on the reasons, Bhattacharya said younger people were at high risk of contracting the infection as they were the ones who mostly went out and mixed up with other people in the community. 'Till now, we are not seeing patients developing serious pneumonia or having low oxygen saturation. While a few patients may have had minor pneumonia, they are not requiring oxygen,' he added. Tayal, however, said that although most cases of Covid in younger patients were not serious, there should be caution against complacency. 'Reinfections are being observed even in persons who have been vaccinated or infected before, pointing to changing viral strains,' he added. Another reason was that many younger patients were delaying getting tested, assuming the infection to be a seasonal flu or viral fever, he further said. Nidhin Mohan, consultant-internal medicine, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, said that there was a spike among individuals who had recently travelled, especially for work or weddings, without taking adequate precautions. 'Infectious strains that spread faster within a group that is in close contact with each other can result in more case numbers among younger populations, who tend to be at the centre of workplace and social interactions,' said Deepesh G Aggarwal, consultant physician and head of department for critical care medicine at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai.
