Union Health Ministry Launches Online AI Training Programme for Doctors

According to information shared by pib.gov.in, the programme is designed to provide around 50,000 doctors with a foundational understanding of AI and its applications in healthcare.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday launched an online training programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Medical Education, aimed at strengthening digital competencies among doctors across the country. The programme was launched by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel has been developed by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), an autonomous body under the ministry.

According to information shared by pib.gov.in, the programme is designed to provide around 50,000 doctors with a foundational understanding of AI and its applications in healthcare. The curriculum focuses on the use of AI in clinical practice, diagnostics, clinical decision-making, medical research, and medical education, with the objective of enabling doctors to effectively integrate AI-based tools into routine care and academic settings.

The initiative has already seen strong participation. More than 42,000 doctors have registered for the programme, reflecting growing interest among medical professionals in digital health technologies. Addressing the launch event, Smt. Anupriya Patel said the response highlighted the relevance of the initiative, particularly in the context of India’s healthcare challenges, including the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and the continued prevalence of tuberculosis.

She noted that the application of AI has the potential to support a shift in healthcare delivery from reactive treatment to more proactive and preventive approaches. The Minister of State also stressed that AI should be viewed as a tool to augment clinical capabilities rather than replace doctors, especially in a system facing shortages of medical professionals and increasing patient loads.

Emphasising responsible adoption, she underlined the need for AI implementation in healthcare to adhere to principles of accountability, accessibility, and ethical use, ensuring patient safety and trust while strengthening health systems.

Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, speaking at the event, described the programme as an important step towards national capacity building. She said initiatives focused on emerging technologies are essential for improving healthcare delivery and advancing India’s digital health goals.

Dr. Abhijat Sheth, President of NBEMS, said the programme reflects the organisation’s commitment to modernising medical education and enhancing capacity building for doctors. Senior officials from the Health Ministry, NBEMS representatives, and national and international experts from medicine, medical education, and healthcare technology participated virtually in the launch.

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