
The MeitY-NASSCOM Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is joining forces with startups, corporates, and healthcare providers to tackle some of India’s most pressing healthcare challenges. This collaborative effort focuses on improving diagnostics, lowering healthcare costs, and bridging the rural-urban divide in medical access, aligning with the government’s National Digital Health Mission (NDHM).
Transforming healthcare with emerging technologies
The CoE is part of a nationwide initiative to integrate emerging technologies into India’s healthcare ecosystem. By fostering innovation, creating a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, and reducing import dependency on IoT components, the CoE aims to transform healthcare delivery. It leverages advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, big data, robotics, and AR/VR across sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, and manufacturing.
A notable project involves AI-powered diagnostic tools for early disease detection. For example:
- Periwinkle, a startup supported by the CoE, has developed an AI-based cervical cancer screening tool tailored for rural areas with limited healthcare resources.
- Low-cost, portable devices for detecting glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in India, are also in development.
“Our goal is not just to advance technology but to solve real-world challenges in healthcare delivery,” said Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO of the MeitY-NASSCOM CoE. He emphasized the importance of accessibility and affordability in diagnostics, especially for underserved communities.
Global collaborations for local impact
The CoE has partnered with global healthcare giants like Siemens Healthineers and AstraZeneca to develop cutting-edge healthcare solutions:
- With Siemens Healthineers, the focus is on integrating AI into imaging technologies for early disease detection.
- The collaboration with AstraZeneca explores AI-driven approaches to manage chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
“These partnerships bring world-class expertise to Indian startups, enabling them to scale solutions globally,” Malhotra noted.
Addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in AI and IoT, the CoE has trained over 50,000 individuals through its Future Skills initiative. Malhotra acknowledged that bridging the skills gap is essential for maintaining India’s leadership in technological innovation. “Our training programs are designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills to excel in emerging fields.”
Focus on the Rural-Urban divide
One of the CoE’s key objectives is to address healthcare accessibility in rural India. By supporting the development of portable, AI-driven diagnostic tools, the Centre aims to reduce the need for patients in remote areas to travel long distances for specialized care.
“Accessibility remains one of the biggest challenges in Indian healthcare,” Malhotra explained. “Our initiatives are designed to bring healthcare directly to those who need it most.”
The CoE also plays a pivotal role in helping startups transition from prototypes to market-ready products. By providing mentorship, funding, and industry connections, the Centre ensures that innovative solutions reach the people who need them. “We act as a bridge, connecting innovation with real-world implementation,” Malhotra said.
The CoE is expanding its efforts to include technologies like remote patient monitoring and predictive analytics, which have the potential to revolutionize patient care in India. It also plans to support more startups and strengthen partnerships with industry leaders. “We’re constantly exploring new ways to improve healthcare delivery,” Malhotra added. “The integration of AI and IoT into the healthcare system is critical for achieving the goals of the National Digital Health Mission.”
By fostering innovation and collaboration, the MeitY-NASSCOM CoE is paving the way for a smarter, more accessible, and equitable healthcare system in India.