Speaking at the American Chamber of India’s (AMCHAM) second Healthcare Summit in New Delhi, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed the value of utilizing cutting-edge technologies to make healthcare available and cheap. He emphasized that India is one of the world’s top six biomanufacturers, renowned for its efficient and economical biomanufacturing, and that it is a top destination for healthcare.
Renowned endocrinologist Dr. Singh, whose career spanned three decades, spoke on the new problems posed by metabolic illnesses and new diseases linked to longer lifespans. He praised the theme of the summit, “Accelerating Innovative and Accessible Healthcare: Technology Transformation,” saying it was extremely pertinent to the government’s efforts to provide universal access to cheap healthcare as well as India’s present health concerns.
The minister emphasized how important it is to have these summits in order to improve the US-Indian healthcare collaboration by bringing together important stakeholders such as technological experts, policymakers, and leaders in the sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plan to create a healthy India, which includes eradicating communicable diseases, lowering non-communicable diseases, and raising health indices, was applauded by Dr. Singh. He referenced the massive COVID-19 immunization campaign in India as proof of the government’s dedication to ensuring that all residents have access to healthcare.
According to Dr. Singh, India has emerged as a major destination for medical tourism and a pioneer in preventative healthcare, meaning that its inhabitants no longer need to travel elsewhere for medical care. He outlined the government’s ten-year plan for healthcare, including the Digital Healthcare Mission, which unifies Ayush with other medical streams, and the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which offers cashless medical treatment via the Ayushman Card.
The minister underlined how important technology is to guaranteeing that everyone has access to healthcare. He made the point that wait times can be cut down, overall healthcare delivery can be improved, and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques can make a big difference. Dr. Singh talked about how telemedicine has improved access to healthcare, even in the most distant communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
As public health is a shared responsibility, Dr. Singh urged greater collaboration between the public and private sectors. He emphasized how the space industry has opened up to private investment, drawing in over ₹1,000 crore and increasing the number of businesses from one in 2022 to over 200.
The minister also noted the notable increase in bio-manufacturing from $13 billion in 2014 to $130 billion in 2024 and commended the Department of Biotechnology for its efforts in promoting research and development in translational health sciences. He emphasized the significance of the pharmaceutical industry by pointing out that four of every ten prescriptions issued in the US come from India.
Among the prominent attendees at the summit were Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, the Drug Controller General of India; Madan Krishnan, the Vice President and Managing Director of Boston Scientific India Subcontinent; Chaitanya Sarawate, the Managing Director of Wipro GE Healthcare; and Ranjana Khanna, the Director General and CEO of AMCHAM.
SOURCE:
ECONOMIC TIMES
