India’s Healthtech Future Rooted in Innovation, Says Union Minister

He also advocated for adopting modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and telemedicine in healthcare systems.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, said that India is at the threshold of a healthtech revolution, ushering in a new era of medical innovation and transformation.

At a recent event, Singh noted that the country's swift economic progress and scientific achievements are paving the way for improved healthcare delivery and infrastructure.

The Minister, a well-known diabetologist, remarked that “India’s rise from the 10th to the 4th largest economy in the world is just the beginning, and this upward journey will continue.”

He cited the recent mission of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station with homegrown life science kits as a significant step, suggesting it could lay the foundation for a new medical discipline - Space Medicine.

He added, “Very soon, India might introduce a dedicated stream in medical education called ‘Space Physicians’.”

Singh called for the creation of a “synergised, inclusive, and futuristic healthcare ecosystem” aligned with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’.

He addressed India’s evolving demographics, describing it as a “bi-phasic challenge” marked by rising numbers in both elderly and youth populations.

The Minister further spoke about the country’s dual disease burden, the simultaneous rise of communicable and non-communicable diseases, especially post-COVID. He underlined the importance of mass screenings, early diagnosis, and robust public-private partnerships for improved health outcomes.

He also advocated for adopting modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and telemedicine in healthcare systems.

The minister further said, “India has emerged as a global leader in preventive and precision healthcare,” pointing to milestones like the world’s first DNA vaccine for Covid-19, an HPV vaccine to combat cervical cancer, and the country’s first gene therapy trial for haemophilia.

He also announced the introduction of Nafithromycin, the first antibiotic molecule developed indigenously in India, calling it a significant pharmaceutical advancement. He attributed these breakthroughs to proactive collaboration with private players and said such partnerships are key to success.

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