‘AP emerges as a model in AI healthcare’

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a guiding force for neighbouring States in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare services, said National Health Authority Joint Secretary Kiran Gopal Vaska at the AI-based Healthcare Ecosystem Stakeholders Conference held at Ratan Tata Innovation Hub in Mangalagiri on Tuesday.

He said Andhra Pradesh became the first State in the country to implement AI-driven innovations in healthcare services and earned national recognition for its efforts. The experiences gained in AP would help innovators expand AI-based healthcare services across India, he added. He also revealed that a national policy is being prepared for procurement of AI-based medical equipment and AP’s experience in healthcare AI implementation could help shape the policy framework.

Kiran Gopal said reliable medical data and accurate treatment details were essential for AI-driven healthcare systems to succeed. He stressed the need for dedicated medical Large Language Models (LLMs) for the health sector. Citing breast cancer treatment as an example, he said AI systems would be truly beneficial only when disease-related information was made available without errors. He also praised the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub for extending both technical and financial support to startups.

Ratan Tata Innovation Hub CEO Dhathri Reddy said an “investors’ army” was being created to support startups in the healthcare sector. Through the MedTech Challenge, startups would be encouraged to scale up innovations. She said e-cells were established in 300 colleges to promote entrepreneurship among youth.

Health Secretary Saurabh Gaur said collaboration from startups, technology partners, academic institutions and development agencies was crucial for strengthening healthcare indicators. Health Commissioner Veerapandian explained the government’s initiatives under the MedTech Challenge Grant.