Latest news with #AnuragAgrawal
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
AI, Modern Tech & the evolving dynamics of Patient Care in India
New Delhi: As healthcare professionals in India increasingly adopt digital tools in clinical practice , advancements such as genomics, AI, and data analytics are transforming patient care—enabling personalized treatments and accelerating timely, effective interventions. While adoption is steadily increasing, it faces significant challenges—including inadequate infrastructure, rising costs, and unresolved data privacy concerns. Delving into this space the inaugural edition of ETHealthworld FutureMed X - The Smart Patient Care Summit convened a panel discussion on Reengineering Patient Care- A Changemakers Perspective. The experts who shared their insights at the session included Prof Anurag Agrawal, Head-Koita Center for Digital Health & Dean - BioSciences and Health Research, Ashoka University, Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh, Senior Advisor, Environmental Health, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Dr Chandrakant Lahariya Founder -Director, Foundation of People Centric Health System; Leena Menghaney, Lawyer/Consultant, Public Health, Pharmaceuticals & Access; and the discussion was moderated by Vikas Dandekar Editor ETHealthworld, The Economic Times. AI diagnostics drive and the mid way challenges Radiology services in India stands as a frontrunner in AI adoption, where its integration is helping them to cut down time lines of analysing millions of scans, However Prof Agrawal, noted, 'while radiologist have increasingly adopted AI these tools are not yet advanced enough to be fully relied upon for clinical decision-making and the coming age of medical professionals is facing entering a field where technological integration presents both promise and pressure.' Citing examples like Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)--a technology used to track glucose levels in real-time round the clock—Lehariya stressed that such innovations have shown their potential but their adoption is yet to scale up in India and the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare should prioritise expanding access, reaching underserved communities, and improving outcomes on the ground.' 'We will keep evolving and innovating new things but from the very beginning we should focus on taking those innovations to a broader section of society and unless that is achieved it will be partial success,' Dr Lehariya stressed. 'The advent of AI is steadily making its mark in healthcare. To develop a comprehensive, integrated solution for diverse health challenges, stakeholders must unite their efforts toward the concept of One Health—linking environmental, animal, and human health, Dr Ghosh, said 'Empowering communities to build trust is essential, so AI becomes part of daily life and effectively addresses a range of healthcare issues,' he added. Policy Efforts On the policy front, Menghaney emphasized the introduction of HMIS (Health Management Information System) reflects some potential; the absence of ethical frameworks hinders accountable use of digital tools, and introducing strong data protection provisions is essential to unlock the benefits of digitization in public health decision-making. To counter misinformation Prof Aggarwal suggested that, 'there should be constant level of high-surveillance all the time, creation of trusted voices with continuous release of information to counter various misleading information and myths While India's healthcare system has long been oriented toward treating infectious and acute diseases, the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) demands a shift in approach. Clinicians and healthcare providers must rethink existing models and adopt innovative strategies to meet this emerging challenge. Dr Lehariya added that, while India's healthcare system has long been oriented toward treating infectious and acute diseases, the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) demands a shift in approach.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
FutureMed X: Experts Lay Out the Blueprint for Intelligent, Inclusive, and Data-Driven Healthcare
New Delhi : From telemedicine , AI-driven diagnostics to de novo drug design, the realm of healthcare is standing at a critical juncture marked by the rapid expansion of technology, transforming the fundamental approach to curing patients and expanding access at an unprecedented pace. Boosted by several other cross-sector reforms in India, this paradigm shift is enabling real-time patient monitoring, predictive analytics for early disease detection, personalized medicine tailored to genetic profiles, and seamless access to healthcare in remote and underserved regions. However, standing on a fragile base of literacy, digital divide and policy void, the system remains volatile with several fault lines in the data domain – integrity issues, privacy risks, and cybersecurity challenges. Reflecting on such critical issues, ETHealthworld hosted FutureMed X - The Smart Patient Care Summit, designed to discuss and understand the dynamics of AI-driven diagnostics, IoT-enabled healthcare, telemedicine, and data-driven decision-making for a more intelligent, connected, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem. The summit brought together key policymakers, healthcare leaders, innovators, and patient advocates exploring the transformative impact of smart technologies on patient care, clinical practice, and business prospects. The annual summit was supported by Universal NutriScience as gold partner; eClinicalWorks, as associate partners; and Nephroplus, Marengo Asia Hospitals, and Easy Solution Infosystems Private Limited as supporting partners. Delivering the chief guest address, the Minister of State for Communications & Ministry of Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar stressed that, 'The country has the potential to serve as a 'living laboratory' for the world. And building on the existing evidence, India can develop its own high-quality scalable solutions and drive healthcare digital transformation.' 'With collaboration between entrepreneurs and the government, we can make this process successful and ensure that our citizens receive healthcare services that meet global quality standards,' the minister added. Speaking further, the Union Minister emphasized, 'Entrepreneurs in the country can explore innovative business models to address healthcare challenges, such as drone-based delivery of essential medicines and mobile vans equipped with trained MBBS doctors and physicians.' At the inaugural panel discussion themed on 'Reengineering Patient Care: A Changemaker's Perspective,' Prof. Anurag Agrawal, Head - Koita Center for Digital Health & Dean - Biosciences and Health Research, Ashoka University, noted that while clinicians have increasingly adopted advanced technologies like artificial intelligence—especially in radiology—these tools are not yet advanced enough to be fully relied upon for clinical decision-making, and the coming age of medical professionals is entering a field where technological integration presents both promise and pressure. On the part of environmental health, Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh, Senior Advisor, Environmental Health, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), emphasized that technology has to fill three gaps – predict, prevent, and protect – with the right interventions and correct data sets. Speaking at the panel discussion on 'Revolutionizing Emergency Care : Patient-Centric Approaches in Trauma & Critical Care,' Dr. Deepak Agrawal, Professor, Neurosurgery, AIIMS New Delhi, voiced that, 'Over the last decade the emergency care system in India has undergone several notable changes where the focus on specialised trained professionals has brought a marked shift.' Talking over the role of technology, Dr. Agrawal underlined that inclusion of cameras is enabling real-time monitoring and is automatically structured to identify how long it will take for every step to happen.' Adding to this, Dr. Sushant Chhabra, Cluster Head, Emergency Medicine, Manipal Hospitals North-West Region, said that, 'In a closed ER (emergency care) setting, a patient is handled by a trained emergency medicine professional that leads to a quick diagnosis, targeted therapy and eventually improvement in outcome.' According to experts, a wider adoption of triage in practice can play a critical role during the golden hours and may eventually lead to reduced mortality rates and improved outcomes. Notably, in emergency care, 'triage' is the process of quickly assessing and categorizing patients based on the severity of their condition. Dissecting the dynamics of Smart Hospitals, Rajiv Sikka, Group CIO, Medanta Hospitals, shared the group's approach of collecting 20,000 data points from one patient to improve data-driven decision-making, and the stored database can further be used to tr ai n AI and ML-based software. Viji Varghese, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital Delhi, added that, 'The introduction of digital tools has overturned the traditional delivery model and the flow of information and service providers stands more as collaborators.' Besides improving outcomes, Kunal Aggarwal, Founder & MD, Easy Solution Infosystems, underlined that innovations like AI are also helping to break access barriers where service providers can expand their reach to remote settings and patients can receive quality care. For incorporating the newer advancements, Miraj Shah, Manager, eClinicalWorks India, stressed that partnership with solution providers is fundamental for hospitals aiming to join this holistic healthcare fabric. 'Moving forward, standardisation of processes and accreditation rules is also an important factor,' he added. Dr. Buddhadeb Chatterjee, Sr. Consultant - Orthopaedics, Apollo Hospital, voiced that with limited movement, arthritis is emerging as a major challenge among the urban population and avoiding physical activity will exacerbate this trend. However, Dr. Rajesh Bawari, Principal Consultant - Orthopaedics & Head - Complex Trauma & Orthopaedics Units, Max Hospital, noted that keeping a balanced approach is key considering that over-exercising may develop complications. For shifting to robot-assisted surgery methods, Dr. Bawari said that expertise and experience of the professional needs to be taken into consideration. Secondly, the industry is yet to address the cost challenge, which may hamper their widespread adoption. Talking over issues related to the backbone, Dr. Shubh Mehrotra, Director - Joint Replacement and Robotic Surgery, Lovee Shubh Hospital, shared that against the conventional trend where people in their 30s used to report issues with spine owing to several lifestyle habits, people in their early 20s have started reporting such issues. Underlining key gaps in microbiology, Dr. Sonal Saxena, Director Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology at Maulana Azad Medical College, noted that the pace of bacterial growth research has remained largely unchanged, presenting an opportunity for innovators to explore the field and drive potential breakthroughs. Among the elderly population, one of the key metrics constantly monitored by clinicians is heart rate and sleep quality. But looking at the size of the elderly population against the total number of geriatricians, Dr. Prasun Chatterjee, Chief - Geriatric Medicine and Longevity Science, Artemis Hospital, suggests that integrating AI and other technologies is going to be an inevitable shift in the country.
News18
31-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Updated Covid Vaccines Not Urgently Needed With Mild Surge: Former CSIR-IGIB Chief To News18
Last Updated: There's no need to panic, said Anurag Agrawal, as Covid-19, in its current form, is expected to stay mild for the majority Updated Covid vaccines may not be necessary at this stage, especially in a country like India, where the younger population is less vulnerable to severe outcomes, Anurag Agrawal, former director of the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), told News18. IGIB is a national laboratory of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). India is witnessing a Covid-19 surge, with a total of 1,010 active cases as of May 26, 2025. The highest number of active cases is in Kerala (430), followed by Maharashtra (210), Delhi (104), and Gujarat (83). 'The current rise in cases can be attributed to waning antibody levels and minor mutations in the virus's spike protein," said Agrawal. Globally, Agrawal believes the newly updated Covid-19 vaccines are not proving highly effective against emerging strains. 'While mRNA technology allows for rapid updates to match circulating variants, it remains the only platform capable of such flexibility. Other vaccine technologies take much longer to develop and distribute; by the time they are ready, the infection wave often begins to fade," said Agrawal, who is presently dean of the Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University. advetisement Even with mRNA, he said, there is ongoing debate about its use, hinting towards concerns ranging from long-term safety data to accessibility. 'India is currently seeing cases of the JN.1 strain. However, with a relatively younger demographic and a lower risk of severe disease, there is doubt among experts whether updating vaccines for this specific strain is worthwhile," he said. According to Agrawal, who is also head of the Koita Centre for Digital Health at Ashoka University, many people may be silent carriers of the virus, showing no symptoms. Additionally, actual case numbers could be much higher than reported, as fewer people are opting for Covid-19 testing. Despite this, he maintains that no drastic measures are required beyond surveillance and preparedness. 'The susceptibility to severe illness remains low. For those who are highly vulnerable, such as the elderly or immunocompromised, simple precautions remain the best line of defence," said Agrawal, who is a well-known physician-scientist. 'In short, the message is clear: there's no need to panic. Covid-19, in its current form, is expected to stay mild for the majority. A calm, precautionary approach is all that is needed." About the Author Himani Chandna First Published: May 31, 2025, 07:00 IST
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IPO-bound Nestasia appoints Delhivery CEO Sahil Barua to board
Home decor brand Nestasia appointed Delhivery cofounder and CEO Sahil Barua as a director on its board, as it looks to scale operations and strengthen omni-channel distribution as it prepares for a market debut, a statement said on Tuesday. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" Barua operates logistics and supply chain company Delhivery as its chief executive, and has previously been associated with Bain & Company as a consultant. He holds an bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from NIT Surathkal and a post-graduate diploma in management from IIM Bangalore. '[Sahil's] journey of building a tech-first, high-performance company from the ground up offers us a lens to reimagine scale, execution, and sustained consumer delight,' said Nestasia cofounder Anurag Agrawal. Started by Aditi Murarka and Anurag Agrawal in 2019, Nestasia offers over 7,000 products across eight categories. The company serves properties by the Taj Group, JW Marriot, Prestige Group and others. Over 2024, Nestasia expanded its offline footprint across six cities with seven exclusive brand outlets. The company plans to open 30 stores by the end of 2025. Live Events In September 2024, Nestasia had raised $8.35 million from Susquehanna Asia VC, Stellaris Venture Partners and other angel investors to expand offline stores, launch new categories, brand building and hiring. The company aims to broaden its product offerings in kitchenware, drinkware, cookware and appliances, while also launching new themed categories like Nest Baby & Kids, focusing on home products for children, among others. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
From Code to Care: How India's AI Prescription Is Rewiring Access and Affordability for Scalable Healthcare
New Delhi: Imagine a future where a villager in rural Bihar receives an accurate diagnosis through a smartphone, or a junior doctor in a government hospital in Rajasthan interprets complex scans in seconds with the help of an AI assistant. This is not science fiction—it's the very real trajectory of India's healthcare system as it accelerates into an AI-powered digital revolution. By 2030, India's healthcare landscape is poised for radical transformation. With artificial intelligence woven into the core of medical care, patients will gain faster diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and seamless access to services—often through mobile devices. Healthcare workers, in turn, will rely on intelligent systems to aid clinical decisions, minimize errors, and automate routine tasks—freeing them to focus on what truly matters: caring for patients. In an exclusive interaction with ETHealthworld, Dr. Anurag Agrawal, Dean of the Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University and a member of the Health AI Committee, offered insights into this impending transformation. 'The question isn't whether AI will transform Indian healthcare—it's how fast and how far this transformation can scale,' he said. Beyond Hype: Scaling Trust and Transparency Dr. Agrawal emphasised that while the potential of AI is immense, realising it will require more than just algorithms. It demands trust, transparency, targeted innovation, and a collaborative ecosystem willing to rigorously test and deploy AI solutions where they are needed most—at the grassroots. Looking ahead to 2030, he envisions a healthcare system marked by instant diagnostics, AI-assisted treatment planning, and improved access across demographics. AI will not only enhance diagnostics but also accelerate drug discovery, promote precision wellness, and reshape medical education, making it a cornerstone of future healthcare training. India's Unique Advantage: Scale + Digital Infrastructure With one of the world's largest digital infrastructures and a population increasingly connected, India has a rare opportunity—not just to adopt AI, but to set a global benchmark in its deployment. 'India's true strength lies in its scale,' Dr. Agrawal noted. 'Initiatives like Aadhaar, UPI, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) create a robust foundation to deploy AI across varied health scenarios—from urban hospitals to rural PHCs.' From Pilot to Policy: Real-World Impact Already Underway Dr. Agrawal highlighting promising pilot projects already demonstrating the real-world impact of AI, said,"AI-powered diabetic retinopathy screening, led by Mona Do (now heading the ICMR Institute for National Digital Health Research), showcased how early detection can prevent blindness. AI tools in Rajasthan are interpreting CT scans in the absence of radiologists. Chest X-ray interpretation systems are successfully screening for tuberculosis. 'These projects work best when co-developed by tech innovators and frontline healthcare professionals who understand clinical nuances,' he said. To bridge the gap between promise and execution, the government has launched the India AI Mission, inviting proposals for responsible and scalable AI healthcare models. Many of these align with national initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, and India's rising visibility on global platforms—such as the upcoming World Health Summit regional meeting—signals its ambition to lead the AI-healthcare movement. Balancing Innovation and Regulation A key challenge, however, remains: regulatory clarity, informed Dr Agarwal. While NITI Aayog is working on frameworks like the 'Ease of Doing Science' policy, Dr. Agrawal warned of the delicate balance between enabling innovation and overregulating a nascent sector. A phased rollout strategy, grounded in scientific validation and peer-reviewed results, is essential to building trust and credibility. Public-Private Synergy: The Innovation Flywheel Private investment is playing a crucial role. Homegrown startups are drawing venture capital, and global tech giants such as Microsoft and Google, along with philanthropic players like the Gates Foundation, are actively collaborating with Indian innovators. This synergy between public vision and private ingenuity is creating a thriving AI-health ecosystem. The Road Ahead India stands at the cusp of a healthcare revolution. With its unparalleled scale, digital readiness, and entrepreneurial energy, the nation has all the ingredients to lead the world in AI-driven healthcare. But success will hinge on its ability to validate innovations, regulate smartly, and collaborate across sectors to ensure AI reaches every citizen—urban or rural, rich or poor. 'If these pieces come together, India won't just transform its own healthcare system—it will become a blueprint for the world,' Dr. Agrawal concluded.
