AI can multiply specialist capacity, bridge India's healthcare gap: report
Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Saturday released a knowledge paper titled "AI in MedTech: Revolutionizing Healthcare Through Artificial Intelligence" at the 9th edition of India Medical Device 2026, organised by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with FICCI. The report highlights the growing pressure on India's healthcare system from an ageing population, rising chronic diseases, and shortages of doctors, nurses, and hospital beds.
According to the report, India's population is estimated at 1.47 billion in 2026, with non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer accounting for over 65% of deaths. The population aged 60 years and above is projected to cross 230 million by 2036, further increasing the demand for long-term healthcare.
The report points to significant shortages despite expansion in healthcare infrastructure and medical education. India has 9.6 doctors per 10,000 population, compared with the global average of 18.3. Nursing personnel stand at 27.2 per 10,000 against 40.5 globally, while hospital beds are 15.9 per 10,000 against a global average of 33. The country also has only 4 MRI scanners per million people, far below the global average of 19.
The report emphasises that artificial intelligence is not intended to replace doctors but to multiply specialist capacity by assisting in diagnosis, clinical decision-making, and screening. AI-enabled diagnostics are expected to be the first large-scale application, helping extend specialist expertise to primary and secondary healthcare, improve productivity, and reduce inequalities in access to care, particularly in smaller hospitals and underserved areas.
India has already laid the groundwork for AI in healthcare through initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, IndiaAI Mission, SAHI, BODH, and the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023. The report identifies the next challenge as moving AI from successful pilot projects to routine clinical use. This requires creating AI-ready health data, establishing a predictable regulatory framework, and developing reimbursement mechanisms for AI-enabled technologies.
The release of this report at India Medical Device 2026 signals the government's focus on leveraging technology to address healthcare access gaps. The paper argues that with the right data infrastructure and regulatory support, AI can play a crucial role in democratising specialist care and improving health outcomes for millions of Indians.
