In a significant move to overhaul public healthcare, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced on Tuesday that the state will extend its digital health records system to every citizen within a year. The initiative, currently piloted in Kuppam under the 'Sanjeevani' project, aims to create comprehensive health risk profiles for the entire population.
Expert Panel Charts Tech-Driven Health Overhaul
Chief Minister Naidu met with a ten-member expert group comprising national and international specialists, including representatives from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The meeting focused on the state government's ambitious plans to integrate technology across the public health sector. Naidu emphasized a shift towards preventive care through technology and directed the expert team to showcase Andhra Pradesh's digital health initiatives at the upcoming Global AI Convention in Mumbai.
"The digital health records of all citizens will be ready in one year. By dividing diseases into categories, the state government wants to reduce the disease burden on people through preventive measures," Naidu stated. He cited the successful 'Mustabu' program in tribal schools as an example of how awareness and early intervention can improve health outcomes.
Global Experts Weigh In on Strategy
The expert committee offered diverse insights on strengthening the healthcare framework. Former WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan highlighted the critical role of adequate nutrition in preventive care. Arti Ahuja, former Union health secretary, called for identifying root causes of diseases and expressed concern over the rising number of dialysis cases among youth, largely linked to pollution.
Yik-Ying Teo from the National University of Singapore affirmed that digital health records and artificial intelligence would significantly bolster healthcare delivery systems. Harvard public health professor Margaret Kruk commended Andhra Pradesh's effective use of Hepatitis vaccination and its positive results. Technology expert Srikanth Nadhamuni noted that AI-enabled services are becoming central to modern public health systems.
Foundation Support and Future Roadmap
Archana Vyas, country director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, confirmed the foundation's collaboration with Andhra Pradesh to strengthen health systems. She revealed that a dedicated health secretariat would soon be established for monitoring and implementation.
Concluding the meeting, CM Naidu suggested the expert committee convene every six months to review progress. He also requested the Gates Foundation team to prepare a concrete action plan based on the committee's recommendations, setting a clear timeline for the state's digital health transformation.
