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New Delhi, 11 SEP 2024: In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The MoU, signed in the presence of Union Health Secretary Shri Apurva Chandra, marks a significant step toward developing digital public goods that leverage AI to improve healthcare research and outcomes.
The MoU was formalized by Ms. L. S. Changsan, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & CEO of NHA, and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur. This collaboration will pave the way for the creation of an open benchmarking platform for AI models in healthcare, allowing researchers and stakeholders to compare, validate, and improve AI applications for health diagnostics and treatment.
A Federated Learning Platform to Transform AI in Healthcare
One of the core objectives of this partnership is to develop a federated learning platform that integrates a variety of machine learning model pipelines. This platform will preserve data quality and allow for seamless collaboration while ensuring stringent data privacy controls. Additionally, a consent management system will be established to enable research within the scope of the ABDM.
The Union Health Secretary emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “This partnership under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will provide an open public benchmarking platform for comparing and validating AI models. The use of data to improve health outcomes is the key goal of this initiative.”
Unlocking AI’s Potential for Disease Diagnosis
Shri Chandra further highlighted that one of the major challenges in using AI for healthcare is the availability and efficacy of disease diagnosis data. “In a clinical setting, the availability of reliable data will lead to better outcomes and result in more accurate diagnoses. This partnership will address the current gaps in healthcare data availability and facilitate benchmarking for AI models,” he added.
Empowering Researchers and Stakeholders
Ms. Changsan, CEO of NHA, underscored the transformative potential of this partnership. “This collaboration marks a significant step in harnessing AI to advance healthcare in India. It will provide researchers access to high-quality data and enable them to collaborate with other stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem while maintaining a focus on data privacy,” she said. The platform is expected to accelerate the development of AI-driven health solutions to tackle critical healthcare challenges.
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the partnership will contribute to democratizing access to quality healthcare across the country. “This platform will empower researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers to fully leverage AI for improved health outcomes,” Prof. Agrawal stated.
Key Benefits of the Partnership
The MoU aims to deliver several benefits that will enhance healthcare research and application development:
- Trustworthy AI Models: By creating a platform for transparent validation of AI models, healthcare providers and consumers can trust the accuracy and reliability of AI-driven health applications.
- Improved Data Access: The platform will reduce the fragmentation of health data in India, allowing researchers to analyze comprehensive datasets while ensuring data remains within the control of data custodians.
- Statistical Quality Preservation: Healthcare data, which is costly to acquire, will be safeguarded against misuse while fostering an environment of openness and innovation.
A Significant Milestone in Digital Health
The partnership aligns with India’s broader vision of advancing digital health. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, launched in 2021, seeks to integrate hospitals, clinics, labs, pharmacies, and insurance companies into a seamless digital ecosystem. By integrating AI and advanced data analytics into this digital health framework, the MoU aims to improve patient care, accessibility, and affordability across India.
As India continues to embrace AI and digital transformation in healthcare, this collaboration between NHA and IIT Kanpur stands as a landmark initiative, setting the stage for innovative health solutions and better patient outcomes.
Senior officials, including Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, OSD, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and Shri Kiran Gopal Vaska, Mission Director (ABDM), were present at the event, alongside representatives from IIT Kanpur.
