Global Digital Health Summit 2024 held in Mumbai, spotlighting AI and healthcare innovation

New Delhi: The Global Digital Health Summit 2024 was held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, bringing together healthcare leaders, innovators, and policymakers from around the world. With the theme “Digital Health at Scale: Success Stories,” the two-day event highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in healthcare.

The summit was inaugurated by Nobel Peace Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, who highlighted the potential of technology to break barriers and make healthcare more accessible and equitable. In his keynote address, Prof. Yunus emphasized, “Health is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right. Technology can break barriers of geography, economy, and gender but it’s only part of the solution. By merging tech with broader efforts, we can make digital health the driving force behind accessible and equitable care for all.”

Key discussions at the summit focused on the role of AI in healthcare, the digital transformation of hospitals, and the management of chronic diseases through technology. Dr. Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Chairman of the Global Digital Health Summit, highlighted, “The current UN Digital Health mandate urges policymakers to connect all people, schools, and hospitals to the internet. Therefore, we need to make the move from healthcare to health and promise Digital Health for All.”

“As patients are moving from episodic to pre-emptive and holistic care, doctors need to move beyond stethoscopes, hospitals need to move from bedside to websites, and pharma companies need to move beyond selling medicines to Digital Health. This is the age of creation and Digital Health will pave the way for more accessible and equitable care in the country,” he added.

Ann Mond Johnson, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association, addressed, “India and America share similar challenges in healthcare. Some of those are inadequate number of clinicians and poorly distributed resources. This leads to healthcare professionals treating more patients when they fall sick rather than helping them stay healthy. Digital Health will meet citizens where they are. It will also reduce health disparities in terms of gender, race, and income.”

She added, “In this digital era, there are several problems such as trust and privacy issues. With the advances in AI and other technologies, there are always concerns about misinformation and disinformation. People are often manipulated and misled by AI. Here, time is of the essence. We need to use digital health wisely to ensure that technological advancements truly benefit patients and healthcare systems alike.”

The summit featured prominent global experts, including Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Health, Marc Jones, CEO of Aeris Communications, and senior representatives from Samsung Electronics, Elsevier Health, and Novo Nordisk India. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including the integration of AI in surgeries, the future of digital hospital infrastructure, and strategies to prepare healthcare professionals for the growing influence of health tech.

In addition to the discussions, an exhibition showcased innovative digital health products, offering attendees a firsthand look at future healthcare technologies. The event will conclude with the Global Digital Health Innovation Awards, recognizing remarkable contributions to the sector.

The summit has a unique distinction with 16.30 CPD credit hours accredited by the CPD Standards Office in the UK and 10 CNE credits from the Indian Nursing Council.