Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare in India

India has been double-edged sword problems of lesser number of skilled healthcare workers and higher number of patients. India's ratio 0.8 doctors per thousand head of population (UK : 2.8, Australia : 5, China : ~4). According to WHO (World Health Organisation) recommendation doctor to population ratio of 1:1000. It's known as "Golden Finishing Line". The workload of Indian doctors can be solved by using Artificial Intelligence (AI). In most of the developing countries, doctors spent as much as 77% time for preventive services that could be safely delegated to non-clinicians. Healthcare services provided in remotest area through the ubiquitous reach of mobile technology (AI).

Opportunities and Applications :

Today's, era of Technology and increasing numbers of mobile user in India is significant opportunities for access to AI technology focused healthcare within the following areas -

* AI in Assistance to Physicians :

+ AI can help to enhance healthcare delivery in India by health experts. 

+ AI enhance connectivity between doctors and Patients.

+ AI will reduce workload of doctors.

+ AI is eliminating medical errors and mis-diagnosis.

AI-based technologies can offer improvement - speedy diagnosis and therapy selection, reducing medical errors, improving productivity. According to researchers success of AI in healthcare using Machine Learning image-interpretation methods within radiology, pathology, dermatology. AI also use in Ophthalmology, Cardiology.

* AI in Diagnosis :

AI-based diagnosis can be especially helpful for radiology, pathology, skin diseases and ophthalmology. In India, no shortage of CT scan, MRI, X-ray based facilities, while there are only about 10,000 radiologists available. This is where AI can be of great assistance.

* AI for Optimising Treatment Plans :

AI can be assisting doctors and patients to choose an Optimal Treatment Protocols through the use of Medical Literature (ML) to provide doctors notes and patients lab reports as well as optimal treatment options. Such technology is use in India, China, and Thailand to provide appropriate recommendation plans for cancer treatment using patient's details linked to medical literature.

* AI for Monitoring :

Monitoring healthcare services through various ways -

+ Physiological parameters

+ Temperature and alerts that can be communicated to healthcare professionals.

+ Device can be used for helping people exercise and adopt healthy eating.

+ Largely manage chronic diseases (diabetes, stroke, epilepsy) and elderly people, specific aspects can also be designed for monitoring during epidemics.

* AI in the COVID-19 Epidemic :

There is need of artificial intelligence (AI) based monitoring Technology for COVID-19 epidemic. Which can predict outbreaks and help in optimum use of his cars resources.

According to Research of Imperial College, London - If countries across the globe implement high level of testing, inforced isolation and wider social distancing. It could be possibly saved 38 million lives from the predicted 40 millions death in 2020 by COVID-19 epidemics.

AI can help combat against COVID-19 virus via  Machine Learning based application including - Population screening, Contact tracing through GPS, cameras covering the public places, use Infrared sensor to predict people's temperature.

Aarogya Setu App - developed by Government of India to connect essential health services with the people of India in our combined fight against COVID-19. 

Challenges of AI in Healthcare in India :

* Lack of innovative technology in healthcare industry in India.
* AI-technology-based  infrastructure are challenges for medical professionals adopt to new systems and processes.
* Lack of trust in AI-technology-based healthcare system.
* 2/3rd funding in healthcare by State Government.
* Lack of training for medical professionals in AI based healthcare.
* According to Research Women of South Asia are 38% less likely to own mobile phone than men (Gender discrimination in technology use - due to patriarchal society)
* There are several ethical and regulatory challenges in implementation of AI in healthcare in India (e.g. security and privacy issues due to AI in healthcare).
* Lack of Cooperation between Central and State Governments in use of AI in healthcare data standards.

Way Forward :

* To enhance the adoption of best technology in healthcare.
* Provide proper training to healthcare professionals.
* Eradication of technological based gender discrimination.
* AI based data should be strictly used for clinical purpose only (provide security and privacy)
* The AI system must be explainable and auditable (transparency in healthcare).
* AI system should not be bias. (Based on equality idealism)
* AI healthcare systems must conform to human values and ethics.
* Adoption of AI based healthcare must be benefits-driven (benefits to patients and the overall healthcare of Indian people)

AI-technology-based healthcare system in India is new hope for meet the WHO recommendations for average patients-to-doctor face-to-face contact of just two minutes. AI-centric healthcare system is not only requires trust from medical professionals, but also from patients to new ways of diagnosis and decision-making. That would be deliver accurate and speedy healthcare system in India.

Reference :
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