The AI vaccine: How preventive care and artificial intelligence can shield India from soaring healthcare costs

In India, healthcare is facing a paradox. On one side, technological advancement is setting the stage for better and quicker diagnosis, while on the other side, a surge in healthcare cost is making it less accessible. To add on, a Lancet study has confirmed that the incidence of chronic diseases is rising at an unprecedented rate in India, thus further overburdening the country’s healthcare system.

What is more unnerving is that the average cost of managing chronic disease is almost three-fourths of the monthly income of a poor rural household, thus pushing patients and their families into financial stress. Not just this, it also has a broader economic impact, threatening India’s dream of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy.

But what if there were a proactive solution against the rising tide, a way to prevent diseases even before they become costly?

The solution is simple and time-tested: prevention. We all have heard that prevention is better than a cure, right?

Adequate screening and early detection can play a vital role in preventing hospital bills from reaching several lakhs. However, scaling this across a population of 1.4 billion is a major challenge. This is where technological advancements are making a difference: AI is now enabling preventive care to reach a wider audience than ever before.

Preventive care: The first line of defense

The key to preventive care is anticipating health issues even before they arise or nipping them in the bud. The pillars of preventive care are vaccinations, regular health screenings, lifestyle management, and early interventions. The quicker a condition is detected, the better the chance to prevent complications.

In turn, it would reduce the cost of treatment as well as hospital admissions, thus easing the financial burden on both the healthcare system and the patient’s family. So, preventive care is not just good medicine but also smart economics.

AI: Preventive healthcare’s catalyst

Here’s how some of the strategic applications of AI can multiply its impact in dealing with the ongoing surge in healthcare costs:

1. Making early disease detection accessible
   India faces a critical shortage of healthcare experts, especially in rural areas. In many parts of the country, the doctor-patient ratios are often as low as 3 doctors per 10,000 people, thus making early detection nearly impossible and costly. But AI algorithms can bridge this gap.

Firstly, AI can analyze and identify subtle patterns from vast datasets such as wearable devices and electronic health records. This enables generation of population-based insights for region-specific health strategies and early detection of high-risk conditions.

Secondly, AI-powered software can easily scan and interpret X-rays and retinal images with near-specialist accuracy.

Using AI capabilities, the Indian government has introduced the “Cough Against TB” initiative to detect tuberculosis from voice patterns. This ensures that no cases go undetected, thus saving both lives and costs.

2. Predictive analytics for healthcare providers
   AI can help hospitals and clinics identify high-risk patients and predict patient inflow. This will let them stay prepared and facilitate better resource allocation. This will not just improve care delivery, but also optimize operational cost.
3. Strengthening the last mile with telemedicine
   Post-COVID, telemedicine has emerged as the solution to healthcare resource constraints. eSanjeevani, India’s telemedicine platform, has already connected millions of patients to qualified doctors.

Further, with the integration of AI-powered clinical decision support systems (CDSS), doctors can diagnose and manage complex chronic conditions remotely, thus reducing unnecessary referrals to tertiary hospitals and saving both time and costs.

The road ahead for India

Considering the current health status of the country where noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise, a proactive health model is the need of the hour. AI-driven preventive care has the potential to change the healthcare landscape of India. A preventive healthcare system will not just help reduce the burden of chronic diseases, but will also make healthcare affordable by cutting down hospitalization costs.

However, challenges persist. Implementation of AI solutions demands robust digital infrastructure, health literacy, and data privacy regulations. India is yet behind in all aspects.

Overcoming the identified challenges would demand a collaboration between tech innovators, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Thereafter, it will be possible to create an ecosystem that supports preventive healthcare powered by AI. In this process, it is also crucial to involve the community for better acceptance.

Final takeaway

Remember, AI is not a substitute for doctors, but think of it as a vaccine against escalating healthcare conditions and costs. The integration of preventive care in a populous country such as India will help make healthcare more affordable, accessible, and equitable.

Not just this, AI-powered preventive care will help India beat the rising incidences of chronic diseases. Now is the time for healthcare leaders, policymakers, and investors to prioritize and accelerate investments in AI-driven preventive care, laying the groundwork for a healthier and more resilient India.

Author: Saurav Kasera, Co-founder and CEO at Clirnet and Doctube