Category: Medical

More than 68 lakh cancer treatments worth over Rs 13,000 crore have been performed under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, with 75.81 per cent of them undertaken in rural areas, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said on Tuesday.

Of these, more than 4.5 lakh treatments worth over Rs 985 crore were undertaken for “targeted therapies” against cancer, with 76.32 per cent of their beneficiaries coming from rural areas, Nadda said responding to a question in Parliament.

The benefits, he said, were accorded under the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).

He said that an initiative for screening, management and prevention of non-communicable diseases, including cancer, has been rolled out in the country under the National Health Mission.

Under the scheme, people suspecting they have cancer can also call in for expert opinion from district and tertiary care hospitals.

In PMJAY, treatment for several types of cancers, including breast, oral and cervical, is provided under more than 200 packages with more than 500 procedures of medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology and palliative medicine.

Of these, 37 packages are related to targeted therapies such as chemotherapy for CA Breast, metastatic melanoma, chronic myeloid leukaemia, Burkitt’s Lymphoma, and CA Lung, the minister informed.

Those suffering from cancer and are below the poverty line can also avail of a one-time financial assistance of up to Rs 15 lakh, provided under the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF).

The minister said that the scheme provides for the sale of generic medicines at 50 per cent to 80 per cent price of branded medicines through Janaushadhi Stores and the 217 AMRIT Pharmacies.

A total of 289 oncology drugs are given at half the market price.

Nadda said that the government had in the budget announced it would set up 200 day care cancer centres at district hospitals in 2025-26.

Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), 770 district NCD clinics, 233 cardiac care units, 372 district day care centres, and 6,410 NCD clinics at community health centres have been set up, he said.

In addition, 19 state cancer institutes and 20 tertiary cancer care centres have been set up in different parts of the country to provide advanced cancer care.

Cancer treatment facilities have been approved in all 22 new AIIMS with diagnostic, medical, and surgical facilities, he said.

Two such centres where advanced cancer treatment is provided are the National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar, Haryana, with 1,460 beds, and the second campus of Chittranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata, which has 460 beds.

There are 372 District Day Care Centres providing chemotherapy across the country, Nadda said.

The minister said that under the Department of Atomic Energy, Tata Memorial Centre has two units/hospitals in rural and semi-urban locations, the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital in Sangrur in Punjab, and the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital in Muzzafarpur in Bihar. PTI

India stands at the threshold of a healthcare revolution, with its MedTech industry poised to drive Viksit Bharat’s breakthrough in healthcare innovation. As the nation accelerates its self-reliance drive, it aspires to become the world’s leading hub for innovation, manufacturing, and accessibility in healthcare. This vision embodies the spirit of ‘Make in India, Made for the World,’ where globally competitive, high-quality prosthetic products not only transform lives but also position India as a global leader in assistive healthcare solutions.

This movement is about restoring dignity, ensuring universal healthcare access, and aligning innovations with India’s vision of becoming a Vishwaguru—a leader in cutting-edge, inclusive healthcare solutions.

In a world where quality prosthetic solutions remain inaccessible to millions, India has already made significant strides in manufacturing indigenous, world-class prosthetics. These advancements are reducing dependency on imports and making advanced mobility solutions more affordable and accessible. Beyond healthcare, this contributes to India’s economic growth, employment generation, and technological advancement, positioning the country as a global hub for assistive healthcare innovation.

By empowering lives, creating high-skill jobs, reducing import dependency, and establishing itself as a global supplier, India is setting a benchmark in the healthcare industry.

India’s development journey is defined by its commitment to inclusive progress. With ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family—at its core, the country is extending its reach beyond its borders, delivering ‘Made in India, Made for the World’ prosthetic solutions to the global stage. This is Atmanirbhar Bharat in action, paving the way for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ future.

The 2025 Union Budget has taken a transformative step by significantly increasing healthcare funding, allocating Rs 99,858.56 crore to the Health Ministry. This budgetary boost will enhance healthcare access, particularly in rural areas, ensuring that quality medical facilities are no longer a privilege but a fundamental right.

The budget further strengthens India’s healthcare sector by creating new opportunities for medical students, equipping them with the necessary skills to become world-class healthcare practitioners. Additionally, the promotion of medical tourism will allow India to showcase its healthcare capabilities on a global stage, attracting international collaboration and investment. The focus on food and nutrition, coupled with rising support for mental well-being initiatives, ensures a holistic approach to healthcare, balancing disease treatment with overall wellness.

Moreover, the 2025 budget prioritises domestic manufacturing through customs duty reforms, clean tech incentives, and enhanced MSME support, driving growth and self-reliance. Strategic initiatives such as the National Manufacturing Mission and enhanced financial support for MSMEs and startups will reduce import dependency and promote sustainable technologies.

However, while the budget provides a solid foundation for growth and innovation, there are notable gaps in areas such as export incentives, targeted skill development for advanced manufacturing, and comprehensive infrastructure upgrades. Addressing these concerns will ensure a more robust framework for India’s manufacturing sector, reinforcing its competitive edge on the global stage.

The government’s commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing is evident in the continuation of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceuticals, which has received an allocation of Rs 2,445 crore. This initiative underscores India’s push for self-reliance in API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) and MedTech production. Additionally, several measures have been introduced to encourage domestic manufacturing of medical devices, reducing import dependence and attracting large investments.

The Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices (PLI MD) was approved in 2020 with a financial outlay of Rs 3,420 crore. This scheme provides financial incentives at the rate of 5 per cent on incremental sales of medical devices manufactured in India. By September 2024, cumulative sales under this scheme had reached Rs 8,039.63 crore, including exports worth Rs 3,844.01 crore.

Furthermore, the Promotion of Medical Device Parks scheme, approved in 2020 with an outlay of Rs 400 crore, aims to provide world-class infrastructure to medical device units. The initiative has received proposals from 16 states, with Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh receiving final approval for infrastructure development.

To further support the medical device industry, the government launched the Scheme for Strengthening Medical Device Industry in 2024 with a financial outlay of Rs 500 crore. This scheme includes five sub-schemes focusing on common facilities for medical device clusters, marginal investments to reduce import dependence, capacity building, clinical studies support, and industry promotion. These targeted measures will enhance India’s capabilities in the MedTech sector, making it globally competitive.

Additionally, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has initiated the Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in the pharma MedTech sector, establishing Centres of Excellence at seven National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. These centres focus on fostering industry collaboration, research innovation, and capacity building, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of medical technology advancements.

India’s MedTech industry is more than just a growth sector—it is a socio-economic game-changer. It is driving accessibility, affordability, and technological advancements while reinforcing India’s status as a global healthcare leader. The initiatives undertaken today will shape the future of healthcare, ensuring that high-quality medical solutions are within reach for all, both in India and globally. India’s MedTech industry is poised to revolutionise prosthetic care by combining innovation, quality, and accessibility. With cutting-edge indigenous solutions, India can reduce import reliance, driving down costs, and ensuring millions gain access to world-class mobility aids—transforming lives and setting a global benchmark.

As the country marches towards Viksit Bharat, its MedTech industry will continue to be a beacon of innovation, inclusivity, and self-reliance, transforming lives and reinforcing India’s position as a global healthcare powerhouse. News18

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing healthcare infrastructure investments are driving market expansion. The hospital beds market size was valued at USD 4.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 4.9% CAGR through 2035. Advancements in smart hospital beds, aging population growth, and rising demand for patient-centric care are key factors fueling demand. By 2035, the market is expected to reach USD 7.1 billion, enhancing patient comfort and healthcare efficiency worldwide.

The hospital beds market is witnessing steady growth due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, increasing geriatric population, and advancements in medical infrastructure. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are investing in technologically advanced beds that offer better patient comfort, mobility, and integrated monitoring systems.

Market drivers & trends:
The cornerstone of modern healthcare, hospital beds are undergoing a significant transformation. The escalating geriatric population, a key intelligence point, is a primary driver, as older adults are more susceptible to chronic illnesses and require extended hospital stays. This demographic shift, coupled with the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurological disorders, is fueling the demand for specialized hospital beds.

Technological innovation is another crucial catalyst. The integration of smart technologies, such as sensors for vital sign monitoring, automated adjustments for patient comfort and pressure ulcer prevention, and connectivity for remote patient monitoring, is revolutionizing patient care. This surge in connected healthcare, another critical intelligence point, is enabling hospitals to enhance patient safety and improve operational efficiency. Electric beds, with their enhanced adjustability and ease of use, are rapidly gaining traction over manual beds.

Furthermore, the growing emphasis on patient comfort and safety is driving the adoption of specialized beds, including bariatric beds, pediatric beds, and birthing beds. The increasing awareness of pressure ulcer prevention is also contributing to the demand for advanced pressure redistribution mattresses and integrated bed systems.

Future outlook:
The hospital beds market is poised for continued growth in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for advanced healthcare solutions and the ongoing technological advancements. The convergence of artificial intelligence, the internet of things (IoT), and big data analytics is expected to further revolutionize the industry, leading to the development of more intelligent and personalized hospital beds. The shift towards patient-centric care and the growing emphasis on preventive healthcare are also expected to drive market growth.

The hospital beds market is set for steady growth, driven by technological advancements, rising healthcare investments, and increasing demand for specialized beds. While high costs and supply chain issues pose challenges, the market’s future remains promising with AI-driven innovations and sustainable solutions. Transparency Market Research

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy told the Assembly that the World Bank has sanctioned ₹4,500 crore loan at a low interest rate to Telangana for improvement of the public healthcare infrastructure and medical facilities.

He stated this during the motion thanking Governor Jishnu Dev Varma’s address, when MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi requested the government to include new treatment regimes such as immunotherapy for cancer patients as an injection that costs ₹2.4 lakh.

On allowing fruit merchants to open their shops at the Gaddi Annaram market till the Ibrahimpatnam market was opened, the Chief Minister instructed the authorities of the Agricultural Marketing Department to give temporary permission to open shops despite the court’s stay order, provided Owaisi takes the responsibility of sending the merchants to Ibrahimpatnam once that facility was ready for operations.

“We may not get the opportunity every time and becoming the Chief Minister of Telangana is very difficult proposition. Now that I have been given the opportunity by people, I want to do everything possible for their welfare and development as we don’t know whether the opportunity would come again,” the Chief Minister said highlighting the resolve to end the drug menace and traffic issues in the city.

He suggested that private schools, which collect heavy amount per student as tuition fee every year, should have psychology teachers too to observe any drastic change in the behaviour among the students as it could be linked to drugs too. If it was addressed at initial levels, the problem could be nipped in the bud. It was the responsibility of school and college managements to see to it that no contraband, particularly drugs, entered their premises.

On the issue raised by K. Sambasiva Rao (CPI) about Kothagudem airport, the Chief Minister said the State Government had sent proposals to the Centre for airports in Warangal, Jakranpally, Adilabad, Ramagundam and Kothagudem and the first was approved for now.

He assured the House that they will continue to pursue for the remaining four airports too, as investors asked for infrastructure in Tier two and Tier three cities.

The CM instructed the Finance Department to release funds for payment of honorarium to ‘imams and muezzins’ before Ramzan. He also told the authorities to convene a meeting with Mr. Owaisi to resolve the issues related to the city. Later, the House adopted the motion. The Hindu

Cuts to Medicaid could have significant consequences for millions of Americans, including those who rely on the program for healthcare and the hospitals that serve them.

Jennifer McGuigan Babcock, senior vice president for Medicaid policy at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), and Gabe Scott, a partner at K&L Gates Health Care Group, spoke with Managed Healthcare Executive about what these cuts could mean for the healthcare system.

Republican proposals made regarding these cuts have sent mixed signals about the seriousness of Medicaid cuts, leaving many unsure about what will happen next.

Babcock noted that some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the impact on their communities, while others continue to push for reductions in federal Medicaid funding.

“There are certainly folks on both sides of the aisle that really, very much want to protect the Medicaid program,” Babcock said. “But, if Congress winds up with a reconciliation package that needs to cut that much from Energy and Commerce jurisdiction, it will wind up cutting a lot of that from the Medicaid program, unfortunately.”

Reflecting on Medicaid’s history, there’s been more than one time it’s garnered political attention—most notably during the 2017 effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

This repeal included an effort to replace the Medicaid expansion that was part of the ACA during that time.

“The importance of Medicaid played a really big role in discouraging members of Congress from repealing the Affordable Care Act,” Babcock recalled.

She noted that with around 80 million people currently covered by Medicaid, any changes to the program will have serious political and social consequences.

She also pointed out that many of the districts with the highest Medicaid enrollment are Republican, which could influence how lawmakers approach the issue.

Hospitals and healthcare providers would also feel the effects of these cuts, especially nonprofit and rural hospitals that rely on Medicaid funding to stay open, according to Scott.

He explained that losing this funding would be a major loss for many hospitals, putting them at risk of financial collapse.

As of February, there were 748 hospitals at risk of closure—almost one in every state, Scott said, referring to a Becker’s study released at the time that highlights the potential impact on access to care.

Beyond the immediate risk of closures, Medicaid cuts could also damage hospitals’ financial stability, he said.

Many rely on Medicaid reimbursements to cover the cost of care for uninsured or low-income patients.

Scott warned that losing this funding could lower hospitals’ credit ratings, making it even harder for them to operate.

As policymakers continue to debate Medicaid’s future, both experts stress the importance of the potential effects these cuts can have on healthcare services, patient outcomes, funding and hospital stability. Managed Healthcare Executive

Ayushman Bharat is the Indian government’s flagship health scheme, designed to achieve universal health coverage by ensuring access to quality healthcare services, especially for the poor and vulnerable. This scheme is also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). One of the key highlights of the scheme is its inclusion of all individuals aged 70 and above, regardless of their economic status. Currently, Ayushman Bharat provides ₹5 lakh in insurance coverage per family to the poorest 40% of the population. Now the biggest update coming is about the payment timeline for the hospitals.

Timely payment to the hospitals
CM Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure timely payments to hospitals, stating that all pending dues must be cleared within a month. The scheme, which benefits individuals aged 70 and above, has been widely successful across the country. However, reports suggest that some hospitals are denying treatment due to delays in receiving payments for the services they provide. There was also reluctance from doctors to admit patients due to pending payments.

CM Yogi Adityanath has said the government that no pending dues should be kept for any hospital registered under Ayushman Bharat Yojana or Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan.

Eligible and ineligible recipients of the scheme
All Indian citizens aged 70 and above can register under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and avail its benefits upon successful enrollment. However, individuals with a monthly income exceeding ₹10,000 are not eligible for the scheme. Additionally, those who own a two-wheeler or a car do not qualify.

Eligibility criteria also vary from state to state. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, individuals who own five acres of land are not eligible for Ayushman Bharat Yojana benefits.

Parliamentary standing committee’s proposal
A major boost could be on the way for beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme, as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health has proposed doubling the coverage limit to ₹10 lakh per family. To widen its reach further, the committee has also suggested lowering the age criteria to 60 years. The committee also raised concerns about the underutilization of funds allocated for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, highlighting the need for better implementation to ensure benefits reach those in need.

Ayushman Bharat Scheme Budget
Reports suggest that the Ayushman Bharat scheme’s budget for FY24 was initially set at ₹7,200 crore, but later reduced to ₹6,800 crore, with actual spending reaching ₹6,670 crore.

For FY25, the allocation was increased from ₹7,300 crore to ₹7,605 crore, yet as of January 9, only ₹5,034.03 crore had been utilized, raising concerns about fund underutilization and implementation efficiency. News24

Private hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir have suspended free medical services and initiated mass layoffs after the government removed four key surgical procedures from the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. The decision, which reserves surgeries like cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and haemorrhoidectomy for government hospitals, has triggered a crisis, with private healthcare providers warning of unsustainable operations and financial distress.

The government has removed four surgeries from the list for private hospitals and restricted them to government-run healthcare facilities.

The procedures as per Kashmir News Observer include cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder), haemorrhoidectomy (haemorrhoid), sphincterotomy (fissure), and appendectomy (appendix). “In pursuance of the decisions taken in the 8th & 9th Governing Council meeting of the State Health Agency, it has been decided to implement significant changes in the Health Benefits Packages (HBP) 2.2 across all empanelled public and private hospitals in the UT of J&K,” reads the official order.

“The 10% additional package price that was previously applied to private hospitals under HBP 2.2 shall no longer be applicable. All packages for private hospitals will be standardized as per the base rates under HBP 2.2.” It reads.

“Sub-District Hospitals (SDH) / Community Health Centres (CHCs): Package rates shall be set at 65% of HBP 2.2 rates. District Hospitals, Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), and Private Hospitals: Package rates shall remain at 100% of HBP 2.2 rates.” It reads further.

“Sub-District Hospitals (SDH) / Community Health Centres (CHCs): Package rates shall be set at 65% of HBP 2.2 rates. District Hospitals, Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), and Private Hospitals: Package rates shall remain at 100% of HBP 2.2 rates.” It reads further.

Pvt hospitals suspend all free services
Meanwhile, reacting to the order a Private Hospitals Association spokesperson said that the decision of the Jammu and Kashmir State Health Agency to reduce package rates for procedures by 10% has put private hospitals in a quandary. “This move not only makes it challenging for us to continue providing services but also goes against the vision of universal health insurance, which aims to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage to all residents of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

“To make matters worse, four surgical procedures have now been reserved exclusively for public hospitals, further restricting the services private hospitals can offer,” he added.

“This decision, coupled with the reservation of four surgical procedures exclusively for public hospitals, undermines our ability to provide quality care to our patients. Despite our commitment to serving the community, the reduced rates make it unsustainable for us to continue operations,” the spokesman said.

“Moreover, our Rs 350 crore are pending with the government though the Chief Secretary had stated that all the previous payments will be cleared by the end of Dec 2024,” he added.

“Private hospitals provide employment to about 10000 youth and by this decision these institutions will be forced to relieve the employees thus creating more unemployed youth,” spokesperson added.

“As a result, private hospitals are being forced to stop providing services under Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT Scheme from March 15, 2025 to the public, which will undoubtedly affect the community till the government doesn’t reconsider its decision,” he added.

Meanwhile private hospitals suspended all services provided under Ayushman scheme and decided to terminate 50 percent of the staff hired. Employees have started receiving messages from owners of private hospitals and Dialysis Centres for mass exit. “It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you the message traversed by your employers who comprise the association of an extremely difficult decision that affects all 11,230 employees working across various private hospitals and dialysis centers in Jammu and Kashmir,” reads one such message.

“As you may be aware, the government has decided to remove four critical procedures from the approved list effective March 15, 2025. These procedures account for 70% of indoor patient flow, making it impossible for hospitals to sustain operations. Additionally, payments have not been released, and without financial support, we regret to inform you that we will not be able to pay salaries going forward,” the message reads.

“Due to these unforeseen circumstances, we are left with no choice but to initiate a mass exit to 50% of the employees working across different departments of the hospitals and dialysis centres across J&K. We kindly request all employees to serve a one-month notice period from today,” it reads.

“This is not a decision we take lightly, and we deeply appreciate your dedication and hard work in serving countless patients over the years especially the Ayushman Bharat era. We understand the impact this will have on you and your families, and we stand with you in this difficult time. We will do our best to provide any necessary documentation or references to assist you in transitioning to new opportunities,” it reads further.

“As they claim they have made necessary arrangements in public hospitals for the patients they surely have you all in consideration and will adjust you in their public hospitals as well. We will be happy to serve you the work experiences as required. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and service. We hope that the authorities reconsider their decision in the interest of patient care and healthcare workers across the region,” it reads. Kashmir Observer

From a console in Shanghai, French surgeon Youness Ahallal guided robotic arms in Morocco with real-time precision, delicately removing a patient’s tumor.

Despite the staggering 12,000-kilometer distance between them, China’s domestically developed Toumai surgical robot bridged the geographical divide to make transcontinental surgery a reality.

“With telecommunication techniques, Toumai Robot allows real-time, high-definition imaging and precise control of the robotic arms from a long distance,” said Liu Yu, executive vice president of Shanghai Microport Medbot (Group) Co., Ltd, developer of the robot.

This breakthrough enables patients in underserved regions to access world-class medical expertise without enduring exhausting cross-border journeys. “The system also revolutionizes surgical workflows for doctors,” Liu emphasized. “Previously, conducting cross-regional operations required extensive travel and coordination. Now, specialists can operate remotely with high efficiency.”

To date, the Toumai platform has completed around 300 remote operations, maintaining a flawless safety record.

The Toumai Robot exemplifies China’s rapid ascent as a pioneer in intelligent medical innovation. At the 2025 China Medical Equipment Exhibition in Chongqing in southwest China, AI-powered surgical systems, deep learning-enhanced diagnostic platforms, and cloud-connected robotic devices dominated the showcase.

“Toumai Robot focuses on minimally-invasive surgeries. It breaks through the limits of the hands of surgeons by filtering their physiologic tremor, which makes surgeries easier, safer, and less invasive,” said Liu to flows of visitors at the company’s exhibition booth.

Some medical equipment can help doctors make decisions. Longwood Valley MedTech, headquartered in Beijing, brought its ROPA orthopedic smart surgical robot with deep learning capabilities to the exhibition.

“This robot can be used in joint replacement and spinal operations as it utilizes AI to reconstruct three-dimensional images of patients’ joints with CT images, based on which doctors can simulate operations and make pre-operation plans,” said Chen Peng, vice president of Longwood Valley MedTech.

It usually takes one day for an engineer to make a three-dimensional image, compared to only one to three minutes by AI, Chen added.

Chen said the robot reduces operating time by about 30 percent on average. Less operating time means less anesthesia duration, exposure and possible complications.

The robot not only serves as a powerful “brain” but also as clever “hands.” During operations, sub-millimeter precision optical positioning ensures the precise execution of every critical step of the pre-operation plans. Stable robotic arms help doctors overcome traditional limitations such as hand tremors.

In 2024, China’s medical equipment market size surpassed 1.35 trillion yuan (about 188.2 billion U.S. dollars), according to data released during the exhibition.

Medical equipment is at the forefront of technological innovation, so efforts should be given to drive the digital and intelligent transformation of the medical equipment industry, said Xin Guobin, vice minister of industry and information technology, when addressing the event on Saturday.

“It is important to accelerate the deep integration of emerging technologies such as 5G and AI with medical equipment and develop innovative application scenarios, including intelligent diagnostic systems and remote medical consultation platforms,” Xin said. Global Times

In recent years, multiple new medical colleges have been established across the country, primarily in district headquarters. These colleges are being set up as part of a policy to ensure that each district has at least one medical college.

Many of these institutions are being developed by upgrading existing district or referral hospitals, a cost-effective approach that helps utilise existing infrastructure efficiently.

However, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has raised concerns about this approach, stating that the sanctioning of medical colleges should be based on population density rather than a district-wise allocation.

The Committee warned that the current policy creates an imbalance in the hospital-to-population ratio, leading to inequitable access to medical education and healthcare services.

The Committee further emphasised the need to make private medical education more affordable, recommending that capitation fees be regulated to ensure that meritorious students from financially weaker backgrounds can access medical education.

To address the shortage of doctors at Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs), the Committee suggested offering lucrative pay and benefits to specialist doctors to ensure their retention in government hospitals.

“Department may persuade the States/UTs to overcome the shortage of doctors at PHCs/CHCs through various measures including the creation of separate Medical Services Recruitment Boards, specialist cadres, and providing flexibilities under NHM for recruitment and retention,” said Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare presented in Rajya Sabha, on 12 March.

The Committee also stressed the importance of ensuring that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) are adequately equipped, calling for the provision of sufficient staff, essential diagnostic services, and high-quality generic medicines to improve healthcare delivery at these centers.

Decrease the Ayushman Bharat age
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has recommended a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), urging the government to lower the eligibility age for senior citizens under the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY Vay Vandana scheme from 70 years to 60 years, regardless of their socio-economic status. The panel believes that this revision would ensure wider coverage and greater access to healthcare for the elderly, benefiting a larger segment of India’s aging population.

“The Committee is of the view that age criteria of 70 years and above for Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards should be rationalised to 60 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status for widening the coverage of the scheme in the better interest of common masses,” reads the report.

In the recent expansion of AB-PMJAY to cover six crore senior citizens aged 70 and above from 4.5 crore families, ₹1,443 crore was allocated for their treatment under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card scheme.

The Committee also said that keeping in view the high costs of critical healthcare, the Committee has strongly recommended that the existing health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year be doubled to ₹10 lakh per family. With rising medical expenses and the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, the panel believes that the current financial protection is inadequate, particularly for families requiring specialised treatments and long-term medical care.

The Committee also noted that many expensive procedures, advanced diagnostics, and high-end interventions are not covered under AB-PMJAY, forcing patients to bear significant out-of-pocket expenses. It recommended a comprehensive review of the scheme to include:

• Critical illness treatments with high-cost interventions
• Advanced radiological diagnostics such as CT scans, MRIs, and Nuclear Imaging
• Other high-end medical procedures that are currently available only as add-on packages

The Committee emphasised that these essential medical services should be incorporated directly into the scheme, rather than leaving them as optional add-ons, which often limit accessibility for economically weaker patients.

GDP ratio in health
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has criticised the government’s stagnant health expenditure, warning that the goal of increasing health spending to 2.5 percent of GDP under the National Health Policy (NHP) remains a distant dream. The Committee, which had previously recommended raising health expenditure to 5 percent of GDP by 2025, expressed disappointment over the slow pace of budget increases, stating that the lack of financial commitment is preventing the healthcare sector from achieving sustainable growth.

“India being the most populous country, and given the inflationary pressures and the National Health Policy’s target of increasing government health expenditure to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2025, the Committee believes that the allocation to the health sector, particularly to the Department of Health and Family Welfare, should have been much higher,” reads the report.

A detailed analysis of the health budget revealed a declining trend in allocation as a percentage of GDP between 2020-21 and 2024-25, which the panel believes is inconsistent with the targets set under the NHP. The Committee emphasised that adequate health financing is crucial for reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) and ensuring equitable access to healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic further reinforced the urgent need for sustained investment in public health, particularly in preparing for future health crises.

Despite some progress in social security schemes and financial protection, the Committee noted that OOPE on healthcare remains high, dropping only from 48.8 percent in 2017-18 to 39.4 percent in 2021-22. While the panel expressed hope that current figures might be even lower, it stressed that a 39.4 percent OOPE remains a significant barrier to quality healthcare.

The report also referenced the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2024, which identifies India as home to 234 million poor people, the largest number of impoverished individuals in the world. Unlike other nations with high poverty levels, India is the only country in the top five with a medium Human Development Index (HDI). The Committee warned that without increased government health spending, a significant portion of the population will continue to struggle with access to affordable healthcare.

The Committee pointed out that Government Health Expenditure (GHE) as a percentage of GDP in India is just 1.84 percent, significantly lower than developed countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany. In comparison, high-income countries (HICs) allocate nearly 70 percent of their healthcare spending through public funding, ensuring greater financial protection for their citizens.

The panel urged the government to adopt best practices from these nations and take sustained efforts to increase GHE, which would further lower OOPE and improve access to essential medical services.

The Committee recommended that the government prioritise healthcare in budget allocations, ensuring sufficient resources for infrastructure, medical research, and service delivery. It also called for an annual budget increase for healthcare, maintaining momentum to strengthen India’s public health system. The South First

India’s healthcare industry is on a meteoric rise, projected to soar to $650 billion by 2025, driven by an impressive 22% compound annual growth rate since 2016. At the forefront of this transformation is artificial intelligence (AI), with its integration into healthcare set to skyrocket to a $1.6 billion market by 2025, revolutionizing diagnostics, treatment, and patient care like never before, growing at 40%.

The healthcare sector is set to receive 2.5% of India’s GDP as government investment, and AI in healthcare could add $25-30 billion to India’s GDP by 2025. Tech giants like Google (partnering with Forus Health) and Tata Group (through Tata Elxsi) are all set to drive innovation in the healthcare sector. The sector itself is ripe for innovation and needs to tackle barriers like poor connectivity and a lack of healthcare professionals.

India’s healthcare ecosystem faces several challenges, including limited access to medical professionals in rural areas, inadequate infrastructure, high healthcare costs, and connectivity issues in remote regions. AI-powered solutions—such as predictive diagnostics, automated medical imaging, virtual healthcare assistants, remote diagnostics, error-reduction systems, and healthcare delivery optimization models—can help bridge these gaps by improving quality, reducing costs, and enhancing accessibility for all. While AI presents unprecedented opportunities to enhance healthcare delivery, there is an urgent need to assess the existing regulatory framework for AI implementation in this sector.

Existing legal structure
The advancement of AI depends on its ability to process and analyze vast amounts of data. Machine learning models require extensive datasets for training, which can either be manually provided by users or gathered incidentally as AI performs tasks. In healthcare, this data often includes sensitive personal information such as medical history, diagnostic test results, and genetic details, all of which are essential for delivering effective medical services. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA), India’s first comprehensive law on the subject, does not explicitly address AI processing, and all obligations are tied to human actors.

The Indian government is working towards establishing a National Digital Health Infrastructure (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission), to create a nationwide digital ecosystem that integrates healthcare service providers and patients through unique health IDs, with the use of emerging technologies. This will likely result in large pools of medical data being integrated into AI systems for the purpose of at least organizing and indexing, if not analysis and decision making.

The eventual implementation of the DPDPA will have to be considered in respect of the healthcare sector. The provisions of health services necessarily involve several checkpoints for data collection and processing (including data of a patient’s family, guardians, and visitors), and it will be difficult to impose any liability on personal data processing by AI, in the absence of clear guidelines.

What are the existing guidelines?
The Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, which govern the professional conduct of healthcare providers in India, have been further supplemented by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Guidelines on the Ethical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Research and Healthcare. These guidelines currently mandate a ‘human-in-the-loop’ approach, requiring healthcare practitioners to review and validate AI-generated results before they are communicated to patients. This ensures human oversight, maintaining the accuracy and reliability of AI-driven decisions in patient care. However, as AI capabilities continue to evolve, the need for dedicated legislation becomes increasingly crucial to prevent potential risks and unintended consequences for end users.

The government’s National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) aims at creating a robust digital healthcare ecosystem by integrating the use of AI into healthcare data management. The NDHM also emphasizes on creating a secure, unified health data platform and trustworthy clinical decision support systems while establishing clear guidelines for data interoperability, privacy and security.

Regulatory gaps and challenges
Importantly AI algorithms can exhibit biases due to non-diverse training data, potentially leading to misdiagnoses, especially for underrepresented populations. This challenge is particularly significant in India’s diverse demographic landscape, raising ethical concerns about the fairness and accuracy of AI-driven healthcare solutions. The issue is further compounded when AI models trained on foreign or predominantly urban medical data are applied across India. For instance, an AI algorithm designed to predict breast cancer risk may inaccurately classify women of color as ‘low risk’ due to the lack of diverse training data, resulting in potential disparities in diagnosis and treatment.

There is a lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework governing AI, while the responsibility for any AI tool oversight is unclear and largely depends on contractual arrangements. Further, the testing requirements for diagnostic AI tools are insufficient, and the liability attribution in cases of AI misdiagnosis is also ambiguous. This could result in inaccurate results and consequently unreliable diagnosis, jeopardizing patient safety.

Potential legal framework
To ensure accurate and fair AI outcomes, it is essential to mandate diverse dataset requirements that account for ethnic diversity, geographic representation, and socioeconomic variation in AI training. Statutory obligations should include regular audits of AI systems and the implementation of continuous monitoring protocols. A key priority is the establishment of a dedicated regulatory authority for healthcare AI, responsible for developing comprehensive testing and approval processes, defining clear liability frameworks, and implementing effective grievance redressal mechanisms. Bharucha & Partners