Union Health Minister JP Nadda presented India’s stand on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the health sector at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. He said that AI can improve health services, but for this, proper laws, ethical monitoring and equality are necessary so that every person can benefit from it. The Health Minister said that India had laid a strong foundation of digital health through Digital India in 2015. A digital and interconnected health system was envisioned in the National Health Policy of 2017.
In this direction, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was started in 2021, so that people’s health data can be made available in digital form on a secure and consent basis. JP Nadda said that just data and digitization are not enough, separate rules and systems are necessary for the safe and responsible use of AI.
Mention of Strategy for AI in Healthcare for India
He mentioned the Strategy for AI in Healthcare for India, launched in February 2026, which was described as a major step in India’s health AI policy. He said that SAHI is the first comprehensive health AI strategy coming from the Global South, which emphasizes on using AI transparently, ethically and in the interest of people.
It is very important to use AI responsibly
The minister said that India is implementing AI in a country with 1.4 billion people, 22 languages and different health facilities, so it is very important to use AI responsibly. He mentioned the BODH platform, which will test whether AI systems are working properly and safely across different people and situations in India.
International cooperation is necessary
Nadda said that no country can deal with the challenges and opportunities related to AI alone, hence international cooperation is necessary. He talked about global partnership on reliable health data system, joint research and ethical AI development. The future of AI will be decided not just by technology, but by the decisions of governments and society. Referring to PM Modi’s vision, he said that India believes not only in ‘Artificial Intelligence’ but in ‘All-Inclusive Intelligence’.
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