Healing with high tech: How AI business process co-pilots are shaping healthier future for India

Anand Mahurkar, Founder & CEO, Findability Sciences talks about the transformative impact of AI in bridging the divide, ensuring that every Indian, regardless of location or background, has access to the care they need for a healthier tomorrow

Amidst the rich tapestry of India’s diverse landscapes and cultures lies a pressing challenge: the vast disparities in healthcare access and the burgeoning demand that threatens to overwhelm its systems. In a country where rural villagers may travel hundreds of kilometres for basic medical care, and urban hospitals grapple with overcapacity, AI business process co-pilots can be a transformative power of hope. These advanced systems exemplify the power of technology to transcend geographical and socio-economic barriers, offering examples such as remote diagnostic services that bring specialist care to distant corners, and AI-driven platforms that streamline patient intake processes as well as offer easy chat-based communication in multiple languages across overcrowded urban centers. This article explores the transformative impact of AI in bridging the divide, ensuring that every Indian, regardless of location or background, has access to the care they need for a healthier tomorrow.

The Indian healthcare landscape is marked by a stark contrast between urban and rural healthcare facilities, a burgeoning population outpacing the growth of healthcare infrastructure, and a dire shortage of healthcare professionals. While the government is taking the lead in bringing about key changes to enable the shift in India’s healthcare system over the next decade and increasing the public spending on healthcare from 1.3 per cent  in 2012 to 3 per cent of GDP by 2025, administrative inefficiencies, compounded by outdated data management systems, further strain the sector’s ability to deliver timely and effective care.

These operational inefficiencies not only result in escalated healthcare costs but also impact the quality of patient care.

The inefficiencies inherent in the Indian healthcare system exert a significant financial strain on both the government and the sector itself. The costs associated with administrative inefficiencies, coupled with the lost opportunities for preventative care and early intervention due to data mismanagement, contribute to a cycle of escalating healthcare spending with diminishing returns on patient health outcomes.

Business process co-pilots, powered by AI, have the potential to significantly transform the healthcare landscape, even amidst increasing complexities. While the public often associates healthcare primarily with direct patient care, the industry is much broader, encompassing device manufacturing, supply chain logistics, hospital administration, pharma, and drug discovery. In these areas, business process co-pilots can offer substantial benefits. For instance, AI can streamline supply chain processes, improve efficiency in hospital administration, accelerate drug discovery, and enhance the production and distribution of medical devices. By automating and optimising these critical, yet often overlooked, components of healthcare, business process co-pilots can facilitate a more efficient, effective, and resilient healthcare system. A study by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions highlights that the global healthcare market is expected to reach USD 10 trillion by 2022, with non-clinical services playing a significant role in this growth.

Consider the example of administrative task automation. AI systems can efficiently manage patient appointments, billing, and record-keeping, reducing the time and resources spent on these tasks. This not only improves operational efficiency but also allows healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to patient care. A study by the National Institute of Health highlights how AI can reduce the time spent on documentation by up to 17 per cent, directly translating into cost savings and increased healthcare access.

Business process co-pilots play a pivotal role in overcoming current healthcare challenges by offering solutions that extend beyond direct patient interaction. They are instrumental in addressing inefficiencies within the non-clinical facets of healthcare, such as supply chain management, device manufacturing, hospital administration, and pharma. For example, AI-driven analytics can predict supply chain disruptions, optimise inventory levels, and ensure the timely availability of critical medical supplies and equipment.

Furthermore, business process co-pilots can assist in managing vast amounts of administrative data, improving operational efficiencies, reducing costs, and ultimately allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care. By enhancing these foundational aspects of healthcare, business process co-pilots contribute to a more robust and responsive healthcare industry.

A vision for the future

As India navigates its way through the complexities of an evolving healthcare landscape, the integration of AI business process co-pilots into the Indian healthcare sector holds the promise of a transformative impact. By addressing the challenges of administrative inefficiency, diagnostic accuracy, patient access, and regulatory compliance, AI has the potential to revolutionise the way healthcare is delivered in India.

This journey towards a healthier future, powered by AI, is not just a testament to technological advancement but a commitment to enhancing the well-being of millions. This vision for the future is not just about leveraging technology for the sake of innovation but about harnessing AI’s potential to make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and effective for every Indian citizen.