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India Pioneers Global AI Health Strategy with WHO-Backed SAHI Initiative

The World Health Organization's South-East Asia regional head, Catharina Boehme, has declared India one of the first countries globally to adopt a dedicated AI strategy for health. The strategy, named SAHI, focuses on the responsible and ethical implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare, safeguarding patient rights and data. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the SAHI initiative alongside the BODH data platform at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The next phase will involve extensive training for health personnel to operationalize these digital innovations on the ground.

Key Points: India Launches First AI Strategy for Health with WHO

  • WHO-backed AI health strategy launch
  • Focus on ethical governance and patient rights
  • Training healthcare workers for implementation
  • Part of India's broader digital transformation
2 min read

"India one of the first countries globally to have AI strategy for health," OIC, WHO South-East Asia Region says

WHO official hails India's SAHI as a global first for responsible AI in healthcare. Learn about the strategy and its ethical implementation.

"India is the first country in the region that has such an AI strategy for health and one of the first countries globally. - Catharina Boehme"

New Delhi, February 17

Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge WHO South-East Asia Region, underscored how SAHI digital health initiative is one-of-a-kind, as India is the first country to have an AI strategy for health.

Boehme, while talking to ANI, said that WHO helped in the drafting and development of the strategy, and now it's all about implementation.

"The launch of this strategy, SAHI, is so important because India is the first country in the region that has such an AI strategy for health and one of the first countries globally. It is important because on the one hand it describes concretely how we will make progress and implement AI, but also it tells us how we implement it responsibly from a governance perspective," she said.

"From an ethical perspective, we accept patient rights, informed consent, access, you know, how we access data, etc. So, you know, AI can save a lot of lives, but it also bears risks. And I feel this strategy and the launch of this strategy will help the government of India to implement AI responsibly. WHO helped already in the drafting and development of the strategy, and now it's all about implementation," she added.

She added that the further processes will involve training of the personnel.

"That's the next step, the operationalization and that's where training will matter a lot. Training of health personnel, health care workers, capacity building, operationalisation, bringing the innovation to the ground, basically. That will be our next step, and we look forward to that phase," she said.

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, today launched two pioneering digital health initiatives -- SAHI (Secure AI for Health Initiative) and BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI) -- during the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The launch marks a significant milestone in advancing safe, ethical, and evidence-based deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India's healthcare ecosystem.

Describing the Summit as both timely and necessary, Nadda emphasised that AI does not operate in isolation, but thrives on strong digital infrastructure and high-quality data. Recognising this early, India began laying its digital foundations nearly a decade ago. In 2015, under the leadership of PM Modi, the Government launched the Digital India programme to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great step, but the real challenge is the 'training of personnel' mentioned. We have brilliant doctors but need massive upskilling for them to use AI tools effectively. Hope the govt allocates proper budget for this capacity building.
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Aditya G
Responsible AI with focus on ethics and patient rights is crucial. Data privacy is a big concern in India. Glad WHO is involved in the drafting. Implementation must be transparent to build public trust.
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Sarah B
As someone working in global health tech, it's impressive to see India taking the lead. The SAHI and BODH initiatives could become a model for other developing nations. The focus on a benchmarking platform (BODH) is particularly smart.
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Vikram M
Digital India foundation laid years ago is now showing its value. Jio and Aadhaar created the data infrastructure, now AI can build on it. This is long-term planning paying off. Hope it reduces costs for common people.
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Kavya N
While the strategy is commendable, I have a respectful criticism. We must ensure this doesn't become another tech solution that widens the urban-rural divide. The article talks of 'bringing innovation to the ground' – that is the hardest part. Needs meticulous monitoring.
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Michael C
Interesting development. The

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