AI has helped many industries evolve. AI is introduced in healthcare to make treatments, diagnoses, and other activities efficient. The poor resource setting in India results in unequal access to healthcare and a shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural areas where more than half of the population lives.
Data analysis through AI can be a powerful tool to target public health programs where the diagnosis is delayed. The healthcare industry in India is likely to reach $372 billion this year.
The Potential for AI to Advance Healthcare
The Indian government is using a program called NITI Aayog to evaluate the performance and application of AI in healthcare. This program assesses the use of AI to detect diabetes in its initial stages and as a screening method in eye care.
The government is using NITI Aayog to compare the results of AI tools to a retina specialist. The government hopes the testing of AI tools in eye care will allow efficient screening and early diagnosis of eye disease, especially in remote areas.
AI is also being used in oncology. India introduced a de-identified cancer image bank which can help locate biomarkers and enhance the results of cancer research.
In 2018, AI spending in India surged by almost 109%, reaching $665 million. Experts predict AI-powered healthcare to reach $11.78 billion by 2025, enhancing the country’s economy by $1 trillion by 2035.
Appropriate AI Combination
AI requires strict calculations and precise risk mitigations to avoid wrong decisions. False or fragmented data can lead to a poor decision, risking the patient’s life.
Access to information and data should only be possible after the patient’s informed consent. Additionally, Diagnosticians should inform the patient about their diagnosis and why specific treatments and machines were used.
Feedback from professionals should be allowed and used to modify and control AI tools to lower the chances of harm or threats to the patient. It is essential to understand that AI enhances the treatments, etc., and should never be used as a substitute or replacement for primary healthcare.
India’s Advancement in AI
Combining AI with healthcare requires investments in infrastructure, regulations, governance, workforce, and data. It is also essential to provide medical students and healthcare professionals with a theoretical and practical curriculum to understand AI.
Building trust is crucial for the long-term integration of AI into the Indian healthcare system. Therefore, the Indian government must allocate proper funds to data infrastructure projects like interoperability, unified EMR, and data stewardship.
Integration of AI systems is crucial. Incorporating AI in treating certain diseases will minimize the risk. Moreover, human-centric and human-in-the-loop designs will enable healthcare staff to understand how a choice or decision is made.
Older processes of organizing public health data present a major impediment to the enforcement of AIin healthcare. These processes require the collection and storage of enormous volumes of patient data.