The 2030 Agenda and its SDGs hold the revolutionary potential of “Leaving no one behind” (LNOB). But this poses a significant problem in the developing nations of the Global South.
Lack of quality healthcare and unequal access to healthcare are problems in nations like India. In comparison to the global average of roughly 150 doctors per 100,000 people, India has only 64 doctors accessible per 100,000 people, according to statistics from the World Economic Forum. Additionally, primary health centres and outpatient clinics in rural areas frequently have appallingly low staffing levels and lack essential facilities.
However, the development of rural healthcare in India has advanced significantly thanks to AI intervention. AI technology is delivering revolutionary improvements in healthcare thanks to the quick growth of computers, the internet, improved statistics, machine learning, and neural network technology, as well as the rise of handheld and wearable networked devices like smartphones and watches.
The XraySetu is currently regarded as a key weapon in the toolbox of solutions required to defeat COVID-19 and assist physicians and healthcare providers in India’s towns and villages. Another noteworthy one is NIRMAI, which employs thermal analytics to find breast cancer in its early stages. Since its founding in July 2016, Bangalore-based deep-tech company NIRAMAI has raised a total of $7M from institutional investors in India, Japan, and Singapore.
Voice assistants and chatbots both heavily rely on AI. They are important for preserving electronic health records as well as for the collecting and management of medical data.
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Recent research from the World Economic Forum indicates that AI-enabled solutions provide chances to eliminate these disparities and achieve AI maturity in India’s $372 billion healthcare sector.
According to the report, India’s spending on artificial intelligence (AI) surged by nearly 109% in 2018, totaling $665 million, and is predicted to reach $11.78 billion by 2025, boosting the country’s economy by $1 trillion by 2035.
The use of artificial intelligence in primary care has been tested by the public policy think tank NITI Aayog of the Indian government. The trial looked at early diabetic complications identification and is now approving the use of AI as a screening tool for eye care. It also evaluates the diagnosis precision in comparison to retina specialists.
The World Economic Forum claims that the recently launched Comprehensive Archive of Imaging, a de-identified cancer picture library created by Tata Medical Center and the Indian Institute of Technology, expands the potential for oncology research using AI.
In addition, an ML model to better forecast the likelihood of a heart attack is being developed by Apollo hospitals and Microsoft’s AI Network for Healthcare.
dependable AI
A person’s health may be at jeopardy as a result of inaccurate decisions. AI needs a tremendous amount of data from numerous sources. The choice may suffer as a result of the data not being available or being fragmented.
Patients should be made fully aware of how their data may be used to train AI models and should know exactly what reasons led a doctor to recommend a certain course of therapy. This is significant in the Indian setting, where doctors typically spend little time with each patient, the World Economic Forum report claims.
Understanding AI in national curricula for medical and public health students is necessary to integrate AI into healthcare systems. Aside from interoperability, a single EMR, and data stewardship, the World Economic Forum advises the Indian government to invest appropriately in data infrastructure. The government must also make investments and create P3 alliances in the healthcare industry.
India is a founding member of the Global Partnership on AI alliance, according to the article, and has so far taken a methodical approach to integrating AI in line with moral and responsible standards. With the advancement of technology, these concepts must be put into practise.
AI adoption in India has the potential to close the rural-urban divide without leaving anyone behind. India will be able to lead other emerging markets in achieving the SDGs as a result.
