A new wave of home-grown Artificial Intelligence (AI) start-ups is revolutionizing healthcare and diagnostics in India, aiming to enhance the affordability, accessibility, and scalability of medical services in a country where early diagnosis remains a significant challenge. This shift was prominently showcased at the ‘AI-LAN: Reimagining Healthcare’ programme organized by the Atal Incubation Centre–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (AIC-CCMB) at the PM Bharava Auditorium on Tuesday.
With the widespread use of smartphones, start-ups are leveraging simple photographic methods to screen for various health conditions, including oral disorders and eye ailments, effectively flagging early signs of disease long before patients typically seek clinical help. Priyanjit Ghosh of Logi.AI detailed how the platform has been deployed in multiple states, having screened 45 lakh people for oral health. In collaboration with the Indian Dental Association (IDA), individuals identified during the scan were offered free follow-up check-ups with local dentists, revealing that approximately one in six required treatment.
Logi.AI’s AI-enabled eye-screening program has also facilitated timely cataract surgeries for many older citizens in government hospitals, addressing delays that often arise from the lack of early testing. Another innovation highlighted at the event came from Chrogene Arogyam, led by Poongothai Ramaswamy, who introduced a prototype for a non-invasive sickle-cell anaemia screening device. This device analyzes the skin’s response to temperature changes through AI and Machine Learning, providing results within minutes. Such technology could prove invaluable in rural areas where conventional laboratory testing is not readily available.
Additionally, Bharani Kumar D. of Garbha.ai presented a tool designed to transform infertility treatment by enabling clinicians to identify healthy embryos with greater precision. The system is uniquely trained on Indian patient datasets, making it particularly relevant to local clinical needs. Udaya Dintyala of CognitiveBiotics showcased a customizable early-intervention communication platform for children with autism, which is already operational in the UK and Canada. “It can make the parent sleep in peace,” he remarked, emphasizing the tool’s potential impact.
Other entrepreneurs at the event displayed various AI tools aimed at precision-based diagnosis and expediting drug development. “AI can play a transformative role in large-scale early screening, clinical decision-support systems, and public health intelligence. However, what India needs are indigenous models trained on Indian datasets, which offer immense opportunity,” said Telangana Life Sciences CEO Sarvesh Singh, underscoring the importance of collaboration among research institutions, hospitals, and start-ups.
The programme served as a precursor to the upcoming AI Impact Summit, which will be hosted by the Ministry of Electronics and IT next month. “We have focused on life sciences because AI can aid clinicians in better diagnosis and help researchers in drug discovery,” stated AIC-CCMB Chief Executive Officer N. Madhusudhana Rao.
The government’s support for start-ups in life sciences research and the manufacturing of medical devices was reiterated by the Ministry’s Start-up CEO Pannerselvam Madanagopal, who highlighted the emerging AI-healthcare landscape. Insights from CSIR-CCMB Director Vinay Kumar Nandicoori further emphasized the pivotal role of AI in enhancing healthcare outcomes.
The convergence of AI technologies and healthcare in India suggests a promising future, particularly as these start-ups continue to develop innovative solutions tailored to local needs. As the nation prepares for greater integration of AI in medical diagnostics and treatment, the collaborative efforts between various stakeholders are poised to pave the way for a more efficient and accessible healthcare system.
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