Bengaluru: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, stressed the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on clinical medicine during the inaugural session of the “International Patient Safety Conference 2024” in Bengaluru. Acknowledging the rapid pace of AI’s integration into healthcare, he emphasized the need for seamless collaboration between existing and emerging patient care tools.
In his address as the chief guest, Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the importance of integration at multiple levels, including collaboration between the public and private sectors, and a harmonious blend of allopathy with AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) systems. He highlighted India’s success stories, particularly in the healthcare sector, as evidence that integration at various levels is crucial for sustained growth.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, a renowned diabetologist, advocated for strong public-private integration, citing examples like the newly introduced Ph.D. course in Biosciences that encourages collaboration between diverse streams.
Discussing the integration of various healthcare streams, Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out that India’s traditional medical practices gained global recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed that even beyond the pandemic, optimal integration and synergism among different medical practices are vital for successfully managing various diseases and disorders.
He also applauded India’s Bio-economy, experiencing double-digit growth year-on-year, and the significant increase in the number of startups in areas like Biotech and Agritech. Dr. Jitendra Singh spoke about the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), envisioning a spending of Rs. 50,000 crore over five years, with over 70% coming from non-government sources.
Expressing gratitude to the organizers for their efforts in bringing AI and technological tools for patient and clinical medicine, Dr. Jitendra Singh commended Apollo Hospitals for playing a pioneering role in addressing societal needs, especially during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.