V K Paul: India will reduce digital health disparity 2023
Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, stated on Monday that India, as the representative of the Global South, is committed to reducing the digital health divide by promoting digital solutions and innovation to support universal health coverage.
“India’s digital products are for the global market. While delivering the keynote address at the session on ‘Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery’ in Hyderabad, Dr. V. K. Paul stated that India’s digital infrastructure and capabilities facilitate global economic growth and human development.
Reiterating a quote from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Digital India in which he said, “I dream of a digital India where quality healthcare is accessible even in the most remote regions, powered by e-healthcare,”
The NITI Aayog member (Health) suggested using digital solutions and innovation to help universal health coverage.
Paul added that discussions in the health working groups have led to the belief that digital technologies can play a crucial role in achieving universal health coverage and preventing health emergencies.
He elaborated as follows: “Digital Health enables universal health coverage by providing access to health care services for all people, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, via initiatives such as telemedicine and mobile applications.
It also facilitates universal health coverage by facilitating the exchange of health information between providers, systems, patients, and policymakers, etc., via multiple systems.”
Paul cited the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to illustrate the significance of digital initiatives, stating that it “brings together state governments, the federal government, laboratories, insurance providers, health tech companies, doctors, NGOs’ program managers, and other stakeholders while keeping citizens at the center of these endeavors.”
Underscoring the significance of digital health, he exhorted everyone to join the digital health revolution for universal health coverage. “Let us envision a world in 2035 where everyone has access to a comprehensive suite of digital health tools and services, where digital health is for all,” he added.
