AI Strategy Puts Trust, Data Diversity at Core of India’s Healthcare Transformation
One example cited is an AI-based neuroradiology support system that assists radiologists in analysing brain CT scans. The system has already supported more than 15,000 scans across over 30 healthcare facilities in tier-2 and tier-3 districts, helping radiologists interpret complex imaging cases more quickly.
New framework SAHI outlines roadmap for responsible AI adoption; BODH platform to benchmark health AI tools before deployment
New Delhi: India has unveiled a comprehensive policy roadmap to integrate artificial intelligence into the healthcare system, placing strong emphasis on trust, inclusiveness, and responsible deployment of emerging technologies.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced the Strategy for AI in Healthcare for India (SAHI), a national framework designed to guide the adoption of artificial intelligence across healthcare services. The strategy aims to ensure that AI innovations improve healthcare access, strengthen clinical decision-making, and support efficient health system management while maintaining transparency and patient safety.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in areas such as disease prediction, diagnostics, hospital management, drug discovery, and public health research. However, policymakers have stressed that the technology must be deployed with safeguards to prevent bias, protect patient data, and ensure equitable access to healthcare services.
According to the policy framework, AI should function as a strategic enabler for strengthening India’s health system and improving the quality and affordability of healthcare. The strategy highlights the importance of developing AI systems trained on diverse and representative datasets to avoid algorithmic bias and ensure fair outcomes across different populations.
The SAHI framework proposes a structured approach built around five priority areas: governance and regulatory oversight, digital health data infrastructure, workforce and institutional capacity, research and evidence generation, and ecosystem development for scaling AI innovations.
Officials say the strategy builds on India’s earlier digital health initiatives, including the national strategy for artificial intelligence released in 2018 and the development of the national digital health ecosystem. These initiatives aim to leverage technologies such as machine learning, big data analytics, and cloud computing to improve healthcare delivery and expand access to medical services.
India’s digital health infrastructure has expanded rapidly in recent years. Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, more than 860 million digital health IDs have been created, enabling citizens to store and access their health records through a consent-based digital architecture. The digital health ecosystem is expected to play a key role in enabling large-scale AI applications in healthcare.
Alongside the policy framework, the government also introduced the Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI (BODH), a platform designed to test and validate AI-driven healthcare solutions before they are deployed widely. Developed by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in collaboration with the national health authority, the platform aims to ensure that AI tools used by clinicians are reliable, safe, and validated against real-world parameters.
Experts participating in the India AI Impact Summit highlighted several real-world applications of AI in healthcare, including AI-assisted diagnostic tools, clinical decision-support systems, and technologies designed to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.
One example cited is an AI-based neuroradiology support system that assists radiologists in analysing brain CT scans. The system has already supported more than 15,000 scans across over 30 healthcare facilities in tier-2 and tier-3 districts, helping radiologists interpret complex imaging cases more quickly.
Another initiative focuses on accessibility, where AI-powered voice-first platforms are enabling visually impaired users to read digital documents, access educational material, and interact with information systems using speech technologies.
Global health experts have emphasised that ethical governance will be essential as AI adoption accelerates. International guidance highlights the need to protect human autonomy, ensure safety and transparency in AI systems, promote inclusiveness, and maintain accountability in healthcare decision-making.
Policy experts also pointed to the importance of expanding genomic and health datasets to make AI models more representative. Researchers estimate that genomic data from at least 100 million individuals may be needed to unlock the full potential of AI-driven medical research.
Despite rapid technological progress, experts stressed that AI will complement rather than replace healthcare professionals. Instead, it is expected to enhance clinical capabilities, reduce diagnostic delays, and improve healthcare access in underserved regions.
With its expanding digital public infrastructure, diverse population datasets, and growing pool of medical and engineering talent, India is increasingly positioned to become a global hub for responsible AI innovation in healthcare. The new strategy seeks to ensure that AI tools are deployed not only for technological advancement but also for improving public health outcomes and delivering equitable healthcare services across the country.
