Category: health

Bridging the Digital Divide: Indian Healthcare at a Transformational Crossroads

By: Mr. Deepak Sharma, Co-Founder & CEO, MedLern

Driven by government programs and private sector innovation, India’s healthcare journey is ripe with opportunity to leapfrog longstanding barriers through digital transformation. Landmark initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aim to create a unified digital healthcare infrastructure, integrating over 73 crore health accounts and connecting millions of healthcare providers across the public and private sectors. However, around 80% of healthcare professionals are based in urban areas, resulting in an uneven care distribution that is further hindered by challenges in digital literacy, internet access, and affordability. The complexity of India’s healthcare ecosystem, characterized by diverse languages, cultural contexts, and varying health literacy, requires policy frameworks, robust implementation strategies, and inclusive education to ensure technology adoption and impact are truly democratic and widespread.

Technology Empowering People and Providers

Over 70% of the population lives in rural areas where healthcare resources and digital infrastructure remain sparse, and many rural health facilities still suffer from poor data connectivity and lack the technological integration needed to fully leverage digital health tools.

●AI- Powered Diagnostics: Key to overcoming this divide is a people-centered approach powered by technology. AI-powered diagnostics, wearable health technologies, and remote monitoring devices are increasingly used to extend specialist care to underserved regions.

●Telemedicine: Telemedicine not only reduces travel and associated healthcare costs but also enables earlier interventions for chronic diseases, which have become prevalent and deadly in India. As one in four Indians faces risk from non-communicable diseases before age 70, timely access facilitated by digital platforms can be life-saving. Telemedicine platforms facilitate millions of remote consultations yearly, breaking geographic barriers between specialists and patients in distant rural communities.

●Enhanced Mobile Connectivity:India’s abundant mobile connectivity underpins these transformations, with 1.12 billion mobile users supported by improving data affordability. Public digital health portals like the U-WIN platform digitize vaccination and maternal-child health records, offering multilingual access and real-time updates to empower citizens directly in managing their health.

●Policy, Collaboration, and Sustainability: The government plays a central role in funding infrastructure and formulating enabling policies that encourage innovation while safeguarding data privacy and interoperability. Initiatives like the Digital Health Incentive Scheme reward providers who adopt electronic health records and digital services, nudging the ecosystem towards a future-ready, paperless healthcare environment. The development of AI-driven research platforms under the ABDM framework promises to harness India’s vast health data for predictive analytics, clinical decision support, and personalized medicine, driving better outcomes at scale.

These developments showcase the potential for ‘leapfrogging’, bypassing traditional hurdles in healthcare delivery by directly adopting advanced, scalable digital solutions. This not only accelerates access to quality care but also promises more personalized, data-driven treatment approaches that can optimize outcomes with precision.

Looking Ahead

India’s healthcare digital transformation is a landmark opportunity to reshape care delivery for the entire nation. Yet it stands at a crossroads, without targeted efforts to close digital and social divides. With the vast promise that digital health innovation presents comes a set of challenges, like the urban-rural divide, persisting socioeconomic disparities, and infrastructural gaps that need a nuanced approach to get the desired results. To truly leapfrog, India must advance digital literacy programs, expand affordable connectivity, and foster culturally sensitive healthcare solutions. The path forward lies in integrating technology with human-centered design and comprehensive policy frameworks. Moreover, collaboration between public agencies, private startups, academic institutions, and international partners is needed to enhance resource sharing and accelerate scalable impact. If navigated thoughtfully, digital health can become a great equalizer, transforming India’s healthcare from a fragmented system into a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven model for the world to emulate.

IHCL Hotels in Tamil Nadu Reinforce Responsible Hospitality, Mark Four Years of Paathya with Bharat Eksaath Walkathon

CHENNAI, MARCH 22, 2026: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, continues to advance its sustainability and social impact agenda through Paathya, its ESG+ framework.

Photo caption: Dr. S. Armstrong, Vice-Chancellor Convener Committee, University of Madras, Megalina Iden, DC Traffic – East, and Ian Dubier, Area Director Operations for Tamil Nadu and General Manager of Taj Coromandel, flagging off IHCL’s Bharat EkSaath Walkathon at University of Madras in Chennai.

Marking its fourth year, IHCL reinforced its commitment to responsible tourism with Bharat EkSaath Walkathon – Tamil Nadu edition, an inclusive 3 km walk that brought together associates, their families, local partners, vendors and community members. This was held simultaneously across 14 countries in over 200 locations. The funds raised through the walkathon support the Taj Public Service Welfare Trust (TPSWT), reinforcing IHCL’s approach to social impact.

Teams from Taj Coromandel, Taj Connemara, Taj Club House, Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa Chennai, Taj Wellington Mews Chennai, Vivanta Chennai IT Expressway, Ginger Chennai, OMR, Ginger Chennai, Vadapalani, Ginger Chennai, IITM, TajSATS, Vivanta Coimbatore, Savoy, Ooty – IHCL SeleQtions, Gateway Madurai and Gateway Coonoor participated in the 3-km walk.

The Walkathon commenced from the University of Madras and was flagged off by distinguished guests, Dr. S. Armstrong Vice-Chancellor Convener Committee, University of Madras, and Megalina Iden, DC Traffic – East. The route began at the University of Madras, proceeded along Madras Beach Road, and concluded back at the University campus.  The event concluded with a hearty breakfast, followed by the distribution of medals and certificates to all participants.

Ayushman Bharat: From Health Access to Health Security in India

Centre Holds ‘Suraksha Sankalp’ Workshop to Strengthen HIV Response in Delhi, Haryana

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, through the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), convened the ‘Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala’ in Delhi to accelerate district-level HIV/AIDS response, with a focused approach on Haryana and the national capital.

The workshop, chaired by Rakesh Gupta, aimed to strengthen data-driven, district-specific strategies to improve prevention, testing, treatment, and overall service delivery for HIV/AIDS.

In his keynote address, Dr. Gupta stressed that HIV/AIDS continues to be a significant public health challenge, requiring coordinated and sustained efforts across all levels of governance. He highlighted the global 95:95:95 targets, which aim to ensure that 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed receive treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.

Reviewing current progress, officials noted that Delhi faces critical gaps, with only about 70 per cent of identified individuals linked to treatment, while Haryana has achieved an encouraging cascade of approximately 81:83:95, though further improvements are needed in diagnosis and treatment linkage.

The workshop also emphasised the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which can be prevented through timely testing, counselling, and treatment during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

Officials said 219 districts across the country have been identified as priority areas for intensified HIV interventions, including 7 districts in Delhi and 11 in Haryana. District-level teams participated in the workshop to present progress, identify challenges, and develop targeted action plans.

Dr. Gupta called for a “whole-of-system” approach, urging stronger coordination between national, state, and district stakeholders to address gaps in awareness, testing, and treatment adherence.

He also outlined India’s goal of bringing HIV/AIDS under control by World AIDS Day 2027, with an enhanced target of achieving 95:95:99 metrics in the coming years.

The workshop forms part of India’s broader strategy to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, focusing on evidence-based interventions, improved treatment access, and reducing stigma and discrimination.

Centre Sets Up National Dental Commission, Replaces Dental Council of India

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): The Government of India has constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), marking a major reform in dental education and regulation, with the aim of improving quality and aligning standards with global benchmarks.

The new framework, notified on March 19, 2026, replaces the Dental Council of India and comes into effect immediately. With this, the Dentists Act, 1948 has been repealed, and the existing regulatory structure has been dissolved.

Officials said the move represents a shift towards a transparent, accountable, and quality-driven regulatory system, replacing the earlier elected body with a more streamlined governance model.

The NDC will function through three autonomous boards to oversee key areas. The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board will regulate academic standards, while the Dental Assessment and Rating Board will handle accreditation and institutional evaluation. The Ethics and Dental Registration Board will be responsible for professional conduct and registration of practitioners.

Dr. Sanjay Tewari has been appointed as Chairperson of the Commission, with Dr. Mousumi Goswami as a part-time member.

Other key appointments include Dr. Chandrashekhar Janakiram as President of the Education Board, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Nanda Kishore Sahoo heading the Assessment and Rating Board, and senior professionals appointed across all boards to ensure effective implementation.

The Commission will be responsible for framing regulations, assessing and rating dental institutions, promoting research, evaluating human resource requirements, and setting standards for education, community dental care, and professional ethics.

It will also frame guidelines for fee regulation in private dental colleges, a move aimed at improving transparency and affordability in dental education.

Officials said the reform is expected to enhance the quality of dental education, strengthen healthcare delivery, and expand access to affordable oral healthcare services across the country.

Government Pushes Integration of Ayush with Modern Medicine Through National Initiatives

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): The Government of India is actively promoting the integration of traditional Ayush systems with modern medicine through a series of coordinated national initiatives, the Ministry of Ayush informed in Parliament.

The government has adopted a co-location strategy, placing Ayush facilities alongside Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs), enabling patients to access multiple systems of healthcare under one roof.

Support for staffing and training of Ayush practitioners is being provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the National Health Mission (NHM), while infrastructure, equipment, and medicines are funded by the Ministry of Ayush through the National Ayush Mission (NAM).

As part of institutional strengthening, an Ayush vertical has been established under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to oversee planning, monitoring, and implementation of Ayush-related public health programmes. Integrated Ayush departments have also been set up in central government hospitals, including Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College, to promote integrative healthcare practices.

Under NAM, the government is supporting a wide range of initiatives, including the operationalisation of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres, upgrading existing hospitals and dispensaries, establishing integrated Ayush hospitals, and supplying essential medicines. Awareness campaigns through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities are also being carried out to promote preventive healthcare practices based on Ayush systems.

The Ministry is also expanding international cooperation through a dedicated scheme aimed at promoting Ayush globally. This includes support for exports, academic collaborations, and the establishment of Ayush chairs in foreign institutions. To date, multiple memorandums of understanding have been signed at country and institutional levels to strengthen global outreach.

The information was provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Large imaging study changes understanding of the origins of Parkinson’s rest tremor

Kaida BioPharma Announces Executive Leadership Team to Advance KAD-101, Built for the Ovarian Cancer Gap

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Mar 20 – Kaida BioPharma, a biotechnology company developing targeted therapies for women with hard-to-treat gynecologic cancers, announced its executive leadership team and board. Each member brings decades of experience in biotechnology, clinical development, regulatory strategy, manufacturing, finance, and commercialization to help advance Kaida’s lead product candidate, KAD-101, toward first-in-human clinical evaluation. The company is developing KAD-101 for recurrent ovarian cancer, where treatment options narrow quickly and durable control remains limited.

Kaida BioPharma is building KAD-101, a next-generation prolactin receptor antagonist for the ovarian cancer gap, the space where patients are too often left cycling through treatment with too few durable options.

In addition to her role as Chairperson of the Board, Kaida founder Dr. Stella Vnook has been named Acting Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Vnook is an accomplished biotechnology founder, executive, and advisor with extensive experience guiding early-stage therapeutics from scientific foundation through capital formation. At Kaida, she leads corporate strategy, development planning, and investor engagement.

“The science brought me here, and the women out there still fighting are why I stay. At Kaida, we are building for the ovarian cancer gap, for patients whose options narrow too fast and whose disease still outpaces available therapies,” said Dr. Vnook. “By targeting the survival signals that keep these tumors alive, we believe KAD-101 has the potential to help overcome treatment resistance and create a new path toward more durable control. More options mean more time, and more time means everything.”

Craig Pierson, a founder alongside Dr. Vnook, has been appointed Director at Kaida BioPharma. Mr. Pierson is a life sciences investor and company builder with more than 25 years of experience in investment banking and private capital formation. He provides strategic oversight and financing expertise.

George E. Peoples, MD, FACS has been appointed fractional Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Peoples is a surgical oncologist with decades of experience in translational oncology and clinical development. He is also the founder of the Cancer Vaccine Development Program, Cancer Insight, and LumaBridge. At Kaida, he helps guide clinical strategy and IND planning.

John Langenheim, PhD has been appointed fractional Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Langenheim is a molecular biologist with more than 20 years of experience in therapeutic protein design and preclinical development. His scientific leadership has been instrumental in advancing KAD-101 toward clinical evaluation.

Pamela Swiggard has been appointed Head of Regulatory Affairs. She is a pharmaceutical executive with prior experience at companies including Pfizer and Endo Pharmaceuticals. She brings deep expertise across the product lifecycle, from development through regulatory approval and commercialization. At Kaida, she leads regulatory strategy and FDA engagement in support of IND readiness for KAD-101.

Eric Hacherl, PhD has been appointed Head of Manufacturing. Dr. Hacherl is a senior pharmaceutical operations leader with more than 25 years of experience in biologics manufacturing, cGMP compliance, and process development. At Kaida, he is responsible for helping ensure clinical supply readiness for KAD-101.

Mark Booth has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Booth is a seasoned pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive with more than 25 years of experience building commercial strategies for oncology and rare disease products. His background includes leadership across launch planning, brand strategy, access, and market development for important oncology products, including EMEND, EMEND IV, Zolinza, vintafolide, KEYTRUDA, and the avutometinib plus defactinib combination for low grade serous ovarian cancer. At Kaida, he is responsible for commercial strategy for KAD-101, including positioning, market development, and long-term access planning.

Government Launches ‘Yoga 365’ Campaign to Make Daily Yoga a National Habit

NEW DELHI, March 20: The Government has launched Yoga 365, a nationwide initiative aimed at transforming yoga from an annual observance into a daily practice, with a focus on integrating wellness into everyday life.

The campaign was unveiled during the launch of Yoga Mahotsav–2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, marking the 100-day countdown to the 2026 edition of the International Day of Yoga.

Prataprao Jadhav said the initiative seeks to extend the spirit of the annual yoga day into a sustained, year-round movement. “The aim is to make yoga an integral part of citizens’ daily lives,” he noted.

As part of the campaign, the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga signed a memorandum of understanding with wellness platform Habuild to offer free daily online yoga sessions, enabling wider accessibility across regions and age groups.

Officials highlighted that while awareness of traditional wellness systems is high—over 95 percent in both rural and urban India, according to the National Sample Survey—regular practice remains significantly lower. The initiative aims to bridge this gap by encouraging behavioural change and routine adoption.

The programme will focus on community outreach, institutional partnerships, and digital engagement, promoting yoga across schools, workplaces, and neighbourhood groups.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said Yoga 365, along with new therapeutic yoga protocols, is designed to make yoga more practical and relevant for daily health needs.

Describing it as a step towards building a culture of preventive healthcare, Monalisa Dash said the campaign aims to ensure yoga becomes a sustainable lifestyle practice across households.

The initiative builds on the growing global reach of the International Day of Yoga, which has evolved into a major wellness movement since its inception in 2015. Officials said the next phase will focus on embedding yoga into everyday routines, beyond symbolic celebrations.

With the countdown to IDY 2026 underway, the government expressed confidence that Yoga 365 could help convert widespread awareness into consistent daily practice, strengthening both individual health and collective well-being.