AI to accelerate diagnosis, expand healthcare access: Apollo Hospitals' Sangita Reddy
Davos, January 22
Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Group, said artificial intelligence is already being implemented across healthcare systems and will play a critical role in improving efficiency and access.
"AI must happen. It's not just a thought. We've already started implementing AI in the way that we have the clinical intelligence engine," Reddy said, talking to ANI in Davos.
Explaining its impact, she said, "What AI does is it gives you a much faster diagnosis. It takes away the drudgery of the nurses and the doctors, even the notes taking, et cetera."
"So we believe that we should integrate all of our systems with AI. And it also helps us leverage our intellectual property," she added.
On the use of patient data and protocols, Reddy said, "So our doctors can actually, with the information that we know, the patient data, everything that we've collected, we have the clinical protocols that we can translate."
Speaking on telemedicine, she said, "We've done it successfully in several states, like Andhra Pradesh."
"And we hope that we will be able do so much more using that platform to reach communities, individuals who do not live in urban India," she added.
On investment sentiment in India, Reddy said, "I'm sure they will invest in India and I think healthcare is getting a lot of investments coming into India...We are fortunate that we are able to build this infrastructure."
Outlining Apollo's expansion plans, she said, "We're currently building out 1,500 beds in the next one year, we would open that. Then after another two years, we'll add another 1,500 beds."
"We believe that all of these will break even very fast because, you know, we already understand, have a deep understanding of markets," she added. "I think people all over the world understand that the structural demand for healthcare and the Indians capacity to pay has also increased."
On government measures, she said, "If you look at 100 per cent FDI into insurance, no GST to make insurance affordable."
Going ahead, she said access to a good health insurance policy is key. "It's important to take insurance and look at preventive healthcare," she added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great vision, but the real test is affordability. Apollo is fantastic but expensive. Will this AI integration make healthcare cheaper for the common man, or will it just add another premium layer? Hope the benefits trickle down.
The focus on preventive healthcare and insurance is key. We Indians often go to the doctor only when seriously ill. If AI tools can predict risks early through routine check-ups, it will save countless lives and reduce burden on hospitals.
Impressive scale - 3000 new beds is massive. The integration of clinical protocols with patient data via AI could set a new global standard. India's healthcare sector is truly becoming a model for the world.
Data privacy is my biggest concern. Our health data is very sensitive. While the intent is good, I hope there are iron-clad safeguards. We need strong laws before this scales up.
Taking away drudgery from nurses and doctors is a huge win. They are overworked. If AI handles notes and admin, our medical professionals can focus on what they do best - patient care. More power to them! 👏
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