AI will enhance doctors’ capabilities, not replace them: Damodar Rajanarasimha
Hyderabad: AI in healthcare will enhance the capabilities of doctors and help deliver better medical services to people, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha said on Saturday.
The minister attended the valedictory session of the “AI in Healthcare 2.0 – Powering Precision & Personalizing Care” conference at Yashoda Hospitals in Hitec City.
He said the world was witnessing a transformative phase in the history of medicine.
According to the minister, healthcare systems traditionally focused on treating diseases after their onset.
However, artificial intelligence, genomics, advanced diagnostics and digital health technologies now enable early detection, prevention and personalised treatment.
The minister said technology must ultimately improve people’s lives.
He stressed that AI should help provide faster, affordable and quality healthcare services to every citizen, irrespective of economic status.
Hyderabad has already earned global recognition in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, vaccine manufacturing and medical research, he noted.
Furthermore, he expressed confidence that Telangana could emerge as a global hub for AI-driven healthcare solutions.
Damodar Rajanarasimha said the Telangana government was prioritising technological advancements in medical education.
The government has introduced digital classrooms, learning management systems, hybrid teaching methods and simulation laboratories in government medical colleges.
These initiatives aim to prepare future doctors for the AI era, he said.
Meanwhile, the minister revealed that the government had already introduced several AI-based initiatives in the public healthcare system.
These include AI-assisted analysis of X-ray images, early sepsis detection systems and technologies that identify diseases such as fatty liver in the initial stages.
AI in healthcare driving transformation in medical services
He said the government plans to expand AI-based diagnostic systems to district hospitals in the coming years.
As a result, people in areas with limited access to specialist doctors would receive advanced healthcare services.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to providing modern healthcare services to every district, government hospital and poor family.
He said artificial intelligence would not replace doctors.
Instead, it would strengthen their ability to save lives and improve patient care.
Damodar Rajanarasimha also said the government was working towards strengthening the healthcare sector under the Vision-2047 goals.
The focus is shifting from a treatment-based model to a preventive public health system, he added.
Moreover, he said AI, genomics and precision medicine were enabling personalised healthcare tailored to individual patient needs.
Telangana is moving rapidly in the same direction, he noted.
The minister assured full support for research, innovation and healthcare startups in the state.
He also said the government would formulate policies to promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence while protecting public interests.
At the same time, he stressed that no technology could replace human values, medical experience, compassion and dedication to patient care.
The minister also congratulated the organisers for bringing together doctors, researchers, scientists and technology experts from across the world to discuss the future of healthcare.
Medical experts, researchers, academicians, students and healthcare professionals from India and abroad attended the conference.