AI to Drive Next Phase of PMJAY & ABDM Expansion, Says NHA CEO Dr Sunil Barnwal

Barnwal also encouraged healthcare organisations to onboard under PMJAY and adopt the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) platform.

Speaking at a recent industry event, National Health Authority (NHA) CEO Dr Sunil Kumar Barnwal said artificial intelligence is expected to drive the next phase of growth in India’s digital healthcare ecosystem while accelerating the expansion of initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

He noted that AI would play an increasingly important role in improving healthcare accessibility, strengthening service delivery, and empowering patients across multiple touchpoints of care.

"The next phase of growth in healthcare will be driven by AI and its use across multiple touchpoints of care to empower the consumer and make health accessible to the last mile," he said.

Barnwal also highlighted the progress made under PMJAY and ABDM in building a connected and trusted digital healthcare ecosystem.

According to him, the initiatives are enabling cashless healthcare access, consent-based health record sharing, and interoperable digital public infrastructure at the population scale.

Barnwal also encouraged healthcare organisations to onboard under PMJAY and adopt the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) platform, which aims to simplify and standardise the health insurance claims settlement process.

Former NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul stressed the need for strong governance frameworks around the use of AI in healthcare. He highlighted the importance of reliable health data in shaping effective policy decisions and ensuring responsible technology adoption.

As India expands its digital health infrastructure through PMJAY and ABDM, policymakers and healthcare leaders increasingly see AI as a critical tool for bridging healthcare gaps, streamlining services, and improving outcomes across urban and rural regions alike.

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