Technology Essential to Achieving Universal Health Coverage in India: NHA Official

Experts also discussed sustainable financing as a critical requirement for digital health transformation, citing shrinking fiscal space, rising health costs, and declining global aid flows.

Technology is essential to achieving universal health coverage in India, said Vikram Pagaria, Director of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission at the National Health Authority.

Speaking at a recent event, he underscored the role of digital health in addressing persistent gaps in the health system. “Digital health is an investment, not a cost, and is essential in achieving universal health coverage,” he said.

Pagaria noted technology’s potential to help overcome critical challenges such as doctor shortages and to reach underserved rural communities.

Meredith Dyson, Regional Health Specialist, Health Systems Strengthening, UNICEF, said, “Technology alone does not equal transformation. True impact comes from addressing real-world needs, empowering frontline workers, protecting rights, and ensuring equity.” She highlighted the importance of interoperability by design and country-specific blueprints aligned with Digital Public Infrastructure principles.

Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and CEO, IndiaAI Mission, called for building a safe, inclusive, and globally relevant AI-enabled health system through collaboration between government, states, hospitals, technologists, academia, the World Health Organisation, and the Global South.

Karthik Adapa, Regional Advisor for Digital Health, World Health Organisation South-East Asia Region, emphasised the distinction between integration and interoperability. He outlined essential components of a strong digital health system, including infrastructure, Digital Public Infrastructures, applications, governance, and capacity building.

Experts also discussed sustainable financing as a critical requirement for digital health transformation, citing shrinking fiscal space, rising health costs, and declining global aid flows.

Countries across the region were noted to face common challenges, including fragmented financing channels, donor dependence, and insufficient long-term budgeting.

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