NHA CEO Calls AI a Healthcare Game-Changer
Artificial intelligence is set to power India’s next healthcare revolution. Speaking at a session organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), National Health Authority (NHA) CEO Dr Sunil Kumar Barnwal made a compelling case for AI-led transformation. He stated that the next phase of healthcare growth will depend entirely on how effectively AI is woven into multiple touchpoints of care.
“The next phase of growth in healthcare will be driven by AI and its use across multiple touchpoints of care to empower the consumer and make health accessible to the last mile,” Dr Barnwal said.
This vision holds enormous significance. India’s last-mile healthcare gaps — particularly in rural and semi-urban areas — remain a persistent challenge. Moreover, AI offers a scalable, cost-effective path to bridge this divide. The CII session, therefore, served as a critical platform to align public and private stakeholders on this shared goal.
AI’s Foundational Role in Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
From Blueprint to Reality
Dr Barnwal highlighted a specific, early win for AI in Indian healthcare. According to him, AI played a critical role in developing the initial blueprints for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). This acknowledgment signals a broader shift — AI is no longer a future aspiration. Instead, it is already shaping the architecture of India’s most ambitious healthcare programme.
Empowering Consumers Across Care Touchpoints
Furthermore, Barnwal emphasised that AI’s true potential lies in consumer empowerment. By integrating AI across diagnostics, teleconsultation, claims processing, and preventive care, patients can access smarter, faster, and more personalised health services. This kind of multi-touchpoint strategy is essential for a country as geographically and demographically diverse as India.
PMJAY and NHCX: Fixing the Claims Settlement Gap
A Call to Action for Healthcare Organisations
During the session, Dr Barnwal urged healthcare organisations to register under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Additionally, he stressed the need for organisations to adopt the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) platform. Together, these systems are designed to streamline the claims settlement process — a long-standing pain point in Indian healthcare.
CII’s Role in Scaling Digital Claims
Dr Barnwal also lauded CII’s active outreach efforts. CII has engaged with healthcare providers and payors across India to raise awareness about NHCX. As a result, the digital claims settlement ecosystem is gradually gaining momentum. This public-private collaboration is crucial to making cashless care a reality for millions of beneficiaries.
Viksit Bharat and India’s Global Medical Advantage
Addressing the same gathering, CII Healthcare Council Chairman Dr Naresh Trehan offered a forward-looking perspective. He noted that the Viksit Bharat vision presents India with a rare chance to redesign its healthcare system from the ground up over the next 20 to 25 years.
“No country in the world has been able to build a perfect healthcare system,” Dr Trehan said. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in India’s unique strengths. India, he pointed out, possesses some of the finest medical talent in the world. In fact, approximately 22 per cent of department heads in leading US hospitals are of Indian origin — a powerful indicator of India’s global healthcare standing.
Robust AI Policy and the Power of Health Data
Former NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul brought a policy lens to the discussion. He stressed the urgent need for strong governance frameworks around AI usage in healthcare. Crucially, he also underlined the central importance of data in informed policymaking. Without reliable health data, he argued, even the best AI tools cannot deliver equitable outcomes.
This perspective aligns with global trends. Across the world, regulators are racing to build ethical, accountable frameworks for medical AI. India must act swiftly to define its own standards — both to protect patients and to position itself as a trusted global health-tech leader.
Gates Foundation Fights for Marginalised Communities
Archana Vyas, India Country Director for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, added a humanitarian dimension to the conversation. She underscored the urgent need to prevent avoidable maternal and child deaths across India. Consequently, she noted that the Foundation’s programmes are deliberately focused on reaching the most marginalised populations — those who are often invisible to mainstream healthcare systems.
Her remarks reinforced a central theme of the session: technology and policy must work in tandem to serve those at the bottom of the healthcare pyramid.
Key Takeaways
- AI will drive India’s next healthcare growth phase, says NHA CEO Dr Sunil Kumar Barnwal.
- ABDM blueprints were shaped with significant AI involvement.
- PMJAY registration and NHCX adoption are essential for efficient claims settlement.
- 22% of US hospital HODs are of Indian origin, reflecting India’s medical talent pool.
- AI governance frameworks and health data policies are critical priorities, per Dr VK Paul.
- Gates Foundation programmes focus on preventing maternal and child deaths in underserved communities.
