Reimagining healthcare in India: How AI and digital solutions are closing the urban-rural divide

As I took the stage at the Global Digital Health Summit (GDHS-24) opens in new tab/window in Mumbai earlier this month, I was struck by the palpable energy and enthusiasm from the thousands of healthcare professionals and policy makers in attendance and their appetite for digital transformation in healthcare. India, home to the world’s largest patient population, with diverse healthcare needs, stands at the precipice of a revolutionary change — one that promises to bridge the longstanding gap between urban and rural healthcare delivery.

First, a bit of background on this important summit: GDHS-24 serves as a pivotal platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies and fostering discussions on the widespread deployment of digital technologies, including AI, in healthcare. This year's summit aimed to address the pressing challenges faced specifically by India's healthcare system, including inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of healthcare professionals, and urban-rural disparities. With non-communicable diseases on the rise, the need for innovative solutions has never been more critical.

One of the most pressing challenges faced by clinicians today, and discussed at GDHS-24, is the overwhelming amount of medical information available. Our case studies show that doctors spend an average of five hours per week searching for clinical information. This is where AI comes in as a true game-changer. Take, for example, Elsevier’s newly launched ClinicalKey AI opens in new tab/window, with its conversational search interface and advanced generative AI capabilities that dramatically reduce search time for physicians, allowing them to focus more on patient care. It can answer clinical questions posed by a doctor, and backed by trusted scientific studies, in a matter of seconds to minutes rather than hours.

But AI’s potential goes beyond just streamlining information access.

Another exciting development showcased at the summit is Elsevier's involvement in a significant national pilot in India: Digital Innovations & Interventions for Sustainable HealthTech Action (DIISHA) opens in new tab/window. This strategic public-private partnership aims to empower and digitally upskill frontline healthcare workers in India. This will greatly support government’s efforts in building a sustainable rural health system in India. Working alongside state governments and other DIISHA partners, we will help prepare more than 1 million Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) opens in new tab/window workers, who play a key role in providing critical healthcare services to rural families.

We are also working together to deploy advanced digital solutions like ClinicalPath Primary Care to bridge the urban-rural healthcare divide and bring much needed support to healthcare providers. By empowering India’s ASHA workers with digital skills and AI-powered tools like ClinicalPath Primary Care, we’re bringing expert-level screening and assessment capabilities to the most remote corners of the country.

As we look to the future, it’s clear that the integration of AI and digital health solutions will be crucial in addressing India's healthcare challenges. But technology alone is not the answer. It's the combination of cutting-edge tools, comprehensive training, and collaborative efforts between public and private sectors that will drive meaningful change. And events like GDHS-24 are essential for information sharing to achieve a better global health system.

In addition to my participation at the GDHS-24, I had an opportunity to meet with healthcare practitioners, medical students and government officials.

These meetings provided invaluable learnings, and a few important topics were raised:

1. Our commitment and leadership on responsible AI were raised by leading clinicians in India, who were impressed by our evaluation framework and the responsible design of our products.

2. The focus on patient outcomes was apparent throughout the event. The summit started with a patient panel. Nearly every patient said that the most important point for them is helping to increase awareness for their diseases. There is so much we’re doing as a company to address this need — from working with diverse authors on trusted books and content that power our many digital product offerings to launching our rare disease awareness campaign — Year of the Zebra opens in new tab/window — through our Osmosis digital content, and offering free resources through our Healthcare Hub opens in new tab/window. And we have a long-term pledge to continue these efforts.

3. The impact our products have on our customers is even clearer. As I walked down the stage, the President of the Indian Medical Student Association expressed her sincere gratitude to our Complete Anatomy opens in new tab/window team for helping her through medical school, which reinforced Elsevier’s leading presence and support in the journey from student to practicing clinician.

At Elsevier, we're committed to being a key partner in India's healthcare transformation journey. By continuing to innovate, collaborate and invest in digital health solutions, we can work towards a future where quality healthcare is accessible to every Indian citizen regardless of their geographic location.

The path ahead is exciting and full of potential. As we embrace AI and digital innovation, we're not just reimagining healthcare — we're rebuilding it for a more equitable and healthier India and world.