India at the Forefront of a Health-Tech Revolution: Minister Jitendra Singh's Vision for the Future

During a keynote address at the Doctor's Day Conclave hosted by ET Times Now, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh declared that India is at the dawn of a health-tech revolution. He noted that India's economy is rapidly ascending from the world's 10th to the 4th largest.

The Minister highlighted Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to the International Space Station with indigenous life science kits as a milestone that could introduce the medical field of Space Medicine. Singh envisions a 'synergized, inclusive and futuristic healthcare ecosystem' as part of India's vision for 2047.

Addressing demographic challenges, he explained the dual issues of a growing elderly population and a dominant youth demographic. Singh called for technology-driven solutions like AI and telemedicine, heralding India's achievements in preventive healthcare, such as the world's first DNA vaccine for COVID-19.

He advocated for public-private partnerships in healthcare innovations, highlighted by India's successful gene therapy trial for haemophilia and the launch of the first indigenous antibiotic molecule, Nafithromycin. He also praised integrated healthcare models like India's Ayushman Bharat program.

In cancer care, Singh detailed India's shift towards targeted radiation therapy and Tata Memorial Centre's digital systems. He lauded efforts like the FSTPs at Kumbh Mela for global sanitation standards. The Minister emphasized early private sector integration and sector-wide collaboration to secure a transformative health future for India.

Concluding, Singh expressed the need for saving the personal touch in medicine, advocating a balance between scientific advancement and medical compassion.

(With inputs from agencies.)