BRICS health leaders are advocating for enhanced digital health systems that ensure continuous patient care, addressing challenges such as chronic illnesses and unequal access to services.
This discussion occurred during a side event at the 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting, organized by India's National Health Authority. Experts emphasized the importance of interoperable health records and responsible AI in bridging gaps in patient care across various healthcare settings. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted that the true measure of digital health and AI's effectiveness lies in their ability to provide seamless continuity of care, as fragmented health information often hinders comprehensive treatment.
India showcased its advancements under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which has established a federated digital health infrastructure, creating over 940 million health IDs and facilitating access to one billion linked health records. Additionally, the Strategic Framework for AI in Healthcare (SAHI) was introduced, focusing on ethical and safe AI use while building public trust.
Challenges such as fragmented health information systems and limited interoperability were identified in a report presented by the BRICS Technical Working Group-4. Recommendations included promoting open standards and responsible AI usage. Brazil and Indonesia shared their progress in digital health initiatives, reinforcing a collective BRICS commitment to leverage digital innovation for universal health coverage and resilient systems.
This meeting underscores the critical role of digital health and AI in addressing healthcare disparities, suggesting that a collaborative approach among BRICS nations could lead to more equitable health outcomes globally.