The Science and Technology Union State Minister, Jitendra Singh on 24 August 2023 said that digital healthcare could be a revolutionary tool against diverse groups of diseases including acute and chronic illness. Mr. Singh talked about “India’s digital roadmap for Healthy India for accessible and affordable healthcare” at the 3rd Healthcare Leader’s Summit held in New Delhi.
To bridge the gap between the urban-rural divide in healthcare services, emphasis is laid on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for health services. The minister further added, “We can leverage science and technology to bridge disparities between the urban and rural divide with a dedicated focus on affordability, inclusivity, and accessibility.“
Mr. Singh also stated that over the years healthcare infrastructure has made significant progress, further saying, “a transition over the entire disease spectrum as well as the evolution of therapeutic and preventive modalities available to us over the last half a century or so.”
“After the 1980s, there was globalization or the so-called ‘democratization’ of diseases, so we also started having lifestyle diseases, coronary diseases, etc. and coupled with that also the change in life expectancy,” The Union Minister pointed towards life expectancy, which has reached around 70 years of age.
Mr. Singh said, “The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill will nudge companies to invest in research and development. The government is planning a unique PPP entity for which INR 36,000 crore of the research funding is to come from the private sector whereas the government will put in INR 14,000 crore for the same, to ensure greater participation of industry.”
Jitendra Singh claimed that science and technology will help in developing crucial tools to address the unmet requirements of society and meet global challenges encountered daily.
He added, “In a country with 70% population below the age of 40 and with the youth of today going to be the prime citizens of India 2047, preventive healthcare, and widespread mass screening will help achieve our economy the expected rate of growth set out by PM Modi.”
India is ahead in research related to diabetes throughout the world, with advanced technology and innovative minds the prevention of diabetes in youth and pregnant women will be prevented.
