Digital Health Summit 2025: Dr. V.K. Paul Emphasizes Validation of New Health Solutions
New Delhi: With the aim of shaping the future of the healthcare sector in India, the fourth edition of the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) prestigious Digital Health Summit 2025 was organized in New Delhi. At this summit, Dr. V.K. Paul, member of NITI Aayog, laid special emphasis on the importance of validation and testing of digital solutions in healthcare, while also highlighting the need for greater synergy between the government and industry.
Validation and Testing of New Health Solutions Mandatory
In his address, Dr. V.K. Paul stated that we must ensure that new health solutions and technologies are properly validated and tested. He clarified that even if the number of products is small, they should be transformative solutions that can address real problems. To achieve this goal, he emphasized the need for greater synergy between the government and industry, so that innovations can be effectively implemented at the ground level.
Priority Areas: Prevention, Identification, and Screening
Dr. Paul also outlined the key areas of healthcare that should be specifically focused on through digital technology:
Reproductive and Child Health: Digital solutions in this area can be used to reduce maternal and child mortality and improve health outcomes.
Communicable Diseases: Technology plays a crucial role in the prevention, identification, and management of infectious diseases, especially in pandemic situations.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Given the increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, it is essential to focus on how technology can help in the prevention, early detection, and effective screening of these diseases.
He stated, "We must also focus on telemedicine, paperless systems, digital health records, etc. Because there is a seamless connection between the government and industry, we must work together and move towards the Vision 2047." This statement highlights the importance of strengthening digital infrastructure and creating an integrated healthcare system.
Need for Comprehensive and Strategic Thinking
Dr. Paul emphasized that digital health solutions require comprehensive, in-depth, and more strategic thinking. He also stressed the need to focus on rapid adoption and smart use of health technologies. This means that merely implementing technology is not enough; it is also crucial to ensure that it is used effectively and intelligently to derive maximum benefits.
Summit Theme and India's Readiness
The theme of this program was "Powering Digital Health: Will India Create, Complete or Comply?", which reflects the major challenges and opportunities in India's digital health journey.
In this high-level inaugural session, India's readiness to capture the estimated $40 billion digital health opportunity by 2030 was discussed, amidst the growing global demand for scalable healthtech, AI-driven care, and data-powered solutions. This indicates that India has the potential to become a major global player in the digital health sector.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Perspective
S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, stated on the occasion that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical system was upgraded, and technology was utilized to a greater extent due to the urgency of that time.
He said, "Technology enabled us to upgrade the entire infrastructure in an emergency. Technology ensured that we were in a much better position." This highlights the crucial role of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped India cope with the health crisis.
He further added that the power of technology lies in how it can enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of medical personnel and what they can provide. This indicates that the purpose of technology is not to replace human intervention, but to empower it.
The discussions at CII's Digital Health Summit 2025 demonstrate the commitment of the government and industry towards the digital transformation of India's healthcare sector. It is clear from the statements of key figures like Dr. V.K. Paul and S. Krishnan that India is ready to adopt, validate, and effectively implement new health solutions. This initiative is a significant step towards making India a developed and healthy nation by 2047, where technology will make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and equitable.