NATHEALTH-Healthcare Federation of India on Tuesday asked the government to increase budget allocation on health to 2.5 per cent of GDP while also calling for a restructuring of the healthcare GST framework.

India Budget 2024: Experts advocate boosting healthcare allocation to 2.5% of GDP

Every year on December 12, the World Universal Health Coverage Day is commemorated, acting as a worldwide appeal for healthcare that is both equitable and within reach. The United Nations originated this concept of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), emphasizing the principle that individuals, irrespective of their geographical or financial circumstances deserve access to high-quality healthcare without encountering financial hardships. 
Enhancing health systems grounded in primary healthcare is essential for diminishing disparities, eliminating obstacles to healthcare services, and proactively addressing health emergencies through prevention, detection, and response measures.

<h2>World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: History</h2>

 
On 12 December 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on countries to intensify their initiatives in attaining universal healthcare (UHC). The key aim of this developmental initiative was to guarantee that individuals, irrespective of their geographical location, could avail themselves of top-notch and cost-effective healthcare. &nbsp;

<h2> 
World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: Theme</h2>

 
The theme for Universal Health Coverage Day 2023 is - “Health For All: Time for Action". The theme for this year calls upon leaders to implement policies ensuring fair access to crucial health services without causing financial burdens. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its unpredictable nature and severe consequences, emphasized vital lessons in healthcare. It highlighted the necessity for a healthcare system that is more resilient and adaptable in the times ahead. &nbsp;Across various sectors, including governments, NGOs, the private sector, and civil society, allows us to hold our leaders responsible and strive towards achieving universal health coverage by 2030.

<h2>World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: Significance</h2>

 
On this occasion, proponents share the narratives of countless individuals eagerly anticipating access to healthcare services, applaud the advancements achieved to date, and urge leaders to commit substantial resources to health initiatives. This represents a worldwide endeavour and a pivotal stride toward realizing the 2030 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) objective.

On this particular day, the World Health Organization (WHO) urges governments worldwide to allocate investments towards fortifying the resilience of their health systems. The emphasis is on ensuring the capacity of healthcare systems to withstand challenges and uncertainties, delivering comprehensive health services for everyone in a world marked by turbulence and unpredictability. This call underscores the importance of proactive measures and sustained efforts to establish robust healthcare infrastructures capable of addressing the diverse and evolving health needs of populations across the globe.

Every year on December 12, the World Universal Health Coverage Day is commemorated, acting as a worldwide appeal for healthcare that is both equitable and within reach.

Every year on December 12, the World Universal Health Coverage Day is commemorated, acting as a worldwide appeal for healthcare that is both equitable and within reach. The United Nations originated this concept of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), emphasizing the principle that individuals, irrespective of their geographical or financial circumstances deserve access to high-quality healthcare without encountering financial hardships. Enhancing health systems grounded in primary healthcare is essential for diminishing disparities, eliminating obstacles to healthcare services, and proactively addressing health emergencies through prevention, detection, and response measures. World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: History On 12 December 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on countries to intensify their initiatives in attaining universal healthcare (UHC). The key aim of this developmental initiative was to guarantee that individuals, irrespective of their geographical location, could avail themselves of top-notch and cost-effective healthcare. World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: Theme The theme for Universal Health Coverage Day 2023 is - “Health For All: Time for Action". The theme for this year calls upon leaders to implement policies ensuring fair access to crucial health services without causing financial burdens. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its unpredictable nature and severe consequences, emphasized vital lessons in healthcare. It highlighted the necessity for a healthcare system that is more resilient and adaptable in the times ahead. Across various sectors, including governments, NGOs, the private sector, and civil society, allows us to hold our leaders responsible and strive towards achieving universal health coverage by 2030. World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: Significance On this occasion, proponents share the narratives of countless individuals eagerly anticipating access to healthcare services, applaud the advancements achieved to date, and urge leaders to commit substantial resources to health initiatives. This represents a worldwide endeavour and a pivotal stride toward realizing the 2030 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) objective. On this particular day, the World Health Organization (WHO) urges governments worldwide to allocate investments towards fortifying the resilience of their health systems. The emphasis is on ensuring the capacity of healthcare systems to withstand challenges and uncertainties, delivering comprehensive health services for everyone in a world marked by turbulence and unpredictability. This call underscores the importance of proactive measures and sustained efforts to establish robust healthcare infrastructures capable of addressing the diverse and evolving health needs of populations across the globe.

World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: Date, theme, history and significance

Every year on December 12, World Universal Health Coverage Day is commemorated, acting as a worldwide appeal for healthcare that is both equitable and within reach. The United Nations initiated the&nbsp;concept of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), emphasising the principle that individuals, irrespective of their geographical or financial circumstances deserve access to high-quality healthcare without encountering financial hardships. 
Enhancing health systems grounded in primary healthcare is essential for diminishing disparities, eliminating obstacles to healthcare services, and proactively addressing health emergencies through prevention, detection, and response measures.

<h2>World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: History</h2>

 
On 12 December 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on countries to intensify their initiatives in attaining universal healthcare (UHC). The key aim of this developmental initiative was to guarantee that individuals, irrespective of their geographical location, could avail themselves of top-notch and cost-effective healthcare. &nbsp;

<h2> 
World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: Theme</h2>

 
The theme for Universal Health Coverage Day 2023 is - “Health For All: Time for Action". The theme for this year calls upon leaders to implement policies ensuring fair access to crucial health services without causing financial burdens. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its unpredictable nature and severe consequences, emphasised vital lessons in healthcare. It highlighted the necessity for a healthcare system that is more resilient and adaptable in the times ahead. Various sectors, including government, NGOs, the private sector, and civil society, allow us to hold our leaders responsible and strive towards achieving universal health coverage by 2030.

<h2>World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: Significance</h2>

 
On this occasion, proponents share the narratives of countless individuals eagerly anticipating access to healthcare services, applaud the advancements achieved to date, and urge leaders to commit substantial resources to health initiatives. This represents a worldwide endeavour and a pivotal stride towards realising the 2030 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) objective.

On this particular day, the World Health Organization (WHO) urges governments worldwide to allocate investments towards fortifying the resilience of their health systems. The emphasis is on ensuring the capacity of healthcare systems to withstand challenges and uncertainties, delivering comprehensive health services for everyone in a world marked by turbulence and unpredictability. This call underscores the importance of proactive measures and sustained efforts to establish robust healthcare infrastructures capable of addressing the diverse and evolving health needs of populations across the globe.

(With inputs from agencies)

Every year on December 12, World Universal Health Coverage Day is commemorated, acting as a worldwide appeal for healthcare that is both equitable and within reach.

Every year on December 12, World Universal Health Coverage Day is commemorated, acting as a worldwide appeal for healthcare that is both equitable and within reach. The United Nations initiated the concept of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), emphasising the principle that individuals, irrespective of their geographical or financial circumstances deserve access to high-quality healthcare without encountering financial hardships. Enhancing health systems grounded in primary healthcare is essential for diminishing disparities, eliminating obstacles to healthcare services, and proactively addressing health emergencies through prevention, detection, and response measures. World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: History On 12 December 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on countries to intensify their initiatives in attaining universal healthcare (UHC). The key aim of this developmental initiative was to guarantee that individuals, irrespective of their geographical location, could avail themselves of top-notch and cost-effective healthcare. World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: Theme The theme for Universal Health Coverage Day 2023 is - “Health For All: Time for Action". The theme for this year calls upon leaders to implement policies ensuring fair access to crucial health services without causing financial burdens. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its unpredictable nature and severe consequences, emphasised vital lessons in healthcare. It highlighted the necessity for a healthcare system that is more resilient and adaptable in the times ahead. Various sectors, including government, NGOs, the private sector, and civil society, allow us to hold our leaders responsible and strive towards achieving universal health coverage by 2030. World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: Significance On this occasion, proponents share the narratives of countless individuals eagerly anticipating access to healthcare services, applaud the advancements achieved to date, and urge leaders to commit substantial resources to health initiatives. This represents a worldwide endeavour and a pivotal stride towards realising the 2030 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) objective. On this particular day, the World Health Organization (WHO) urges governments worldwide to allocate investments towards fortifying the resilience of their health systems. The emphasis is on ensuring the capacity of healthcare systems to withstand challenges and uncertainties, delivering comprehensive health services for everyone in a world marked by turbulence and unpredictability. This call underscores the importance of proactive measures and sustained efforts to establish robust healthcare infrastructures capable of addressing the diverse and evolving health needs of populations across the globe. (With inputs from agencies)

World Universal Health Coverage Day 2023: Theme, date, history and significance

In the US, a silent healthcare catastrophe is developing. Big pharmacy chains are closing their locations because of financial sheet problems.

Rural America's struggle for lifesaving pharmacies

Over 75,000 US healthcare workers go on strike over wages and staff shortages. The strike of union members at the largest non-profit healthcare organisation began in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

US healthcare workers launch strike at Kaiser Permanente

More than 75,000 workers at hundreds of Kaiser Permanente hospitals and medical facilities launched a strike Wednesday (Oct 4), which turned out to be one of the largest healthcare workers' strikes in recent US history. Kaiser Permanente is an umbrella group representing local unions based in Oakland.&nbsp;

This came after on Wednesday after failing to resolve a dispute over staffing levels. A coalition of unions alleged that the health care system is practising unfair labour practices.&nbsp;

The unions said that employees in Virginia and Washington DC walked off the job at 6am ET. Those in California, Colorado, Washington and Oregon started the strike at 9am ET.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-urges-climate-action-decries-irresponsible-western-lifestyle-642611">Pope urges climate action in COP28, decries 'irresponsible' Western lifestyle</a>&nbsp;

The walkout at Kaiser Permanente, which is America's largest non-profit healthcare organisation, comes at a time when rising inflation has prompted strike action across the country, including Hollywood and Detroit.&nbsp;

In a statement posted on its website, Kaiser said that it has put in place contingency plans to limit the impact of the strike, but warned customers to expect "longer than usual" wait times.&nbsp;

The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions said last month that the three-day walkout will be "the largest healthcare worker strike in US history".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-christ-the-redeemer-statue-in-rio-lights-up-in-pink-for-breast-cancer-awareness-642599">Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio lights up in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Apple enforces new checks on apps in China

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According to previous coalition announcements, the union is pressing for salary increases across the board, as well as protections against subcontracting and labour outsourcing.&nbsp;

It has threatened to engage in further strike action in November "if Kaiser continues to commit unfair labor practices."

In a statement, Kaiser Permanente said it was "disappointed" by the strike, adding it plans to keep its medical centres running throughout the three-day walkout.

"Our medical centers will remain open during the strike and will be staffed by our physicians and trained and experienced managers and staff," it added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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More than 75,000 workers at hundreds of Kaiser Permanente hospitals and medical facilities launched a strike Wednesday (Oct 4), which turned out to be one of the largest healthcare workers' strikes in recent US history.

More than 75,000 workers at hundreds of Kaiser Permanente hospitals and medical facilities launched a strike Wednesday (Oct 4), which turned out to be one of the largest healthcare workers' strikes in recent US history. Kaiser Permanente is an umbrella group representing local unions based in Oakland. This came after on Wednesday after failing to resolve a dispute over staffing levels. A coalition of unions alleged that the health care system is practising unfair labour practices. The unions said that employees in Virginia and Washington DC walked off the job at 6am ET. Those in California, Colorado, Washington and Oregon started the strike at 9am ET. Also read: Pope urges climate action in COP28, decries 'irresponsible' Western lifestyle The walkout at Kaiser Permanente, which is America's largest non-profit healthcare organisation, comes at a time when rising inflation has prompted strike action across the country, including Hollywood and Detroit. In a statement posted on its website, Kaiser said that it has put in place contingency plans to limit the impact of the strike, but warned customers to expect "longer than usual" wait times. The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions said last month that the three-day walkout will be "the largest healthcare worker strike in US history". Also read: Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio lights up in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Watch: Apple enforces new checks on apps in China × According to previous coalition announcements, the union is pressing for salary increases across the board, as well as protections against subcontracting and labour outsourcing. It has threatened to engage in further strike action in November "if Kaiser continues to commit unfair labor practices." In a statement, Kaiser Permanente said it was "disappointed" by the strike, adding it plans to keep its medical centres running throughout the three-day walkout. "Our medical centers will remain open during the strike and will be staffed by our physicians and trained and experienced managers and staff," it added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US healthcare crisis: More than 75,000 workers at Kaiser Permanente launch strike in largest such action

In an incident that has been described as "institutional racism" within the UK's healthcare system, nurses are accused of subjecting a Sikh patient to degrading and prejudiced treatment. The&nbsp;healthcare professionals allegedly used plastic gloves to tie the patient's beard and&nbsp;failed to attend to his basic needs, leading to a distressing situation where he was left in his own urine, and offered him food that directly contravened his religious dietary requirements, reported PTI.&nbsp;

The victim, an unnamed Sikh patient, documented his ordeal and complaints in a note he left on his deathbed. Despite the explicit and harrowing grievances detailed in this note, the nurses responsible faced no immediate repercussions and continued to work without interruption. The Independent newspaper brought this deeply disconcerting incident to public attention by citing a confidential dossier leaked from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the UK's nursing regulatory body. This dossier outlines a disturbing pattern of alleged racism involving nursing staff, both towards their colleagues and patients.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-jail-practices-are-racist-and-an-affront-to-human-dignity-un-experts-640816">&nbsp;'Black women inmates chained': US jail practices slammed by UN experts as racist, affront to dignity</a>

<h2>Investigation shows&nbsp;disturbing patterns</h2>

In response to these grave allegations, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has launched an investigation to unearth the extent of discrimination that may be entrenched within the healthcare system.

The investigation's aim was to uncover the truth about these deeply troubling claims and take necessary measures to rectify this pressing issue.

A whistleblower from within the NMC has emerged, asserting that the regulatory body has neglected to address "institutional racism" within its ranks for a staggering 15 years.

This longstanding failure, according to the whistleblower, has enabled unchecked behaviour among NMC personnel, fostering an environment of discrimination and bias.

Furthermore, the whistleblower alleges that the NMC staff has been applying guidelines inconsistently, often influenced by their own discriminatory beliefs.

Also watch |&nbsp;France: Historic court hearing against Racism

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<h2>Demand for immediate reforms</h2>

The shocking revelations have sparked urgent calls for comprehensive reforms within the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The whistleblower is urging the NMC to confront and rectify the alleged racial bias in its handling of conduct cases involving Black and ethnic minority nurses and patients. These calls for action come on the heels of "alarming" reports of racism within the NMC that date back to 2008.

&nbsp;

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In an incident that has been described as "institutional racism" within the UK's healthcare system, nurses are accused of subjecting a Sikh patient to degrading and prejudiced treatment.

In an incident that has been described as "institutional racism" within the UK's healthcare system, nurses are accused of subjecting a Sikh patient to degrading and prejudiced treatment. The healthcare professionals allegedly used plastic gloves to tie the patient's beard and failed to attend to his basic needs, leading to a distressing situation where he was left in his own urine, and offered him food that directly contravened his religious dietary requirements, reported PTI. The victim, an unnamed Sikh patient, documented his ordeal and complaints in a note he left on his deathbed. Despite the explicit and harrowing grievances detailed in this note, the nurses responsible faced no immediate repercussions and continued to work without interruption. The Independent newspaper brought this deeply disconcerting incident to public attention by citing a confidential dossier leaked from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the UK's nursing regulatory body. This dossier outlines a disturbing pattern of alleged racism involving nursing staff, both towards their colleagues and patients. Also read | 'Black women inmates chained': US jail practices slammed by UN experts as racist, affront to dignity Investigation shows disturbing patterns In response to these grave allegations, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has launched an investigation to unearth the extent of discrimination that may be entrenched within the healthcare system. The investigation's aim was to uncover the truth about these deeply troubling claims and take necessary measures to rectify this pressing issue. A whistleblower from within the NMC has emerged, asserting that the regulatory body has neglected to address "institutional racism" within its ranks for a staggering 15 years. This longstanding failure, according to the whistleblower, has enabled unchecked behaviour among NMC personnel, fostering an environment of discrimination and bias. Furthermore, the whistleblower alleges that the NMC staff has been applying guidelines inconsistently, often influenced by their own discriminatory beliefs. Also watch | France: Historic court hearing against Racism Demand for immediate reforms The shocking revelations have sparked urgent calls for comprehensive reforms within the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The whistleblower is urging the NMC to confront and rectify the alleged racial bias in its handling of conduct cases involving Black and ethnic minority nurses and patients. These calls for action come on the heels of "alarming" reports of racism within the NMC that date back to 2008. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UK nurses accused of 'institutional racism' after reports of a Sikh man being mistreated emerge

In the ever-evolving realm of healthcare, a transformative revolution is unfolding, one that centres on addressing the unique needs and complexities faced by women. At its core, this paradigm shift finds its epicentre in the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), poised to redefine the landscape of women's health, both in terms of its management and celebration.

<h2>Unveiling the Power of Early Detection and Diagnosis</h2>

Mammography, a cornerstone of breast health, is on the verge of a new era driven by AI-driven innovations. A recent preliminary study has highlighted the remarkable potential of AI in the field of breast cancer detection. Published in The Lancet Oncology, this study provides compelling evidence that AI can significantly enhance doctors' abilities to identify breast cancers through mammograms. Collaborating with radiologists, AI managed to identify 20 per cent more cancers compared to radiologists working alone.

Equally promising, integrating AI resulted in a significant 44 per cent reduction in radiologists' workload. While this study emphasises AI's strength as a robust tool, it equally underscores the indispensable value of radiologists' clinical expertise, suggesting that AI should be embraced as a supportive assistant rather than a replacement. The study's findings resonate with AI's broader potential across various medical applications, showcasing its ability to rapidly and consistently process large amounts of data.

These outcomes open up further avenues for exploration and collaboration between AI systems and medical professionals, envisioning a future where AI enhances specialists' ability to decipher complex health issues such as breast cancer, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes through early detection.&nbsp;

<h2>Crafting Personalised Precision: Tailoring Treatment for Women</h2>

Analysing individual patient data through AI-powered methods allows tailored treatment approaches for women. Doctors can create personalised treatment plans by factoring genetic markers, lifestyle habits, and medical history into consideration thanks to AI. With personalised medicine, this strategy offers the possibility of enhancing healthcare for women by mitigating risks and meeting their specialised needs. Personalised medicine made possible by AI holds great promise for those affected by endometriosis, who number in the countless.

<h2>Mastering Menstrual Cycles: Beyond Fertility</h2>

AI technology has become a crucial ally for women in understanding and tracking their menstrual cycles, supporting fertility planning, and more. Employing AI algorithms, apps like Flo and Clue offer predictions about ovulation, furnish fertility intelligence, and provide personalised suggestions focused on optimising reproductive wellness. With this growth, women have the freedom to decide about their reproduction route, choosing knowledgeable resolutions connected to family planning or clinical intervention if important.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-how-robotic-joint-replacement-is-transforming-orthopaedic-surgery-636236">How robotic joint replacement is transforming orthopaedic surgery</a>

<h2>Supporting Pregnancy: Continuous Vigilance and Intervention</h2>

Throughout pregnancy, real-time vigilance and proactive assistance are vital for ensuring maternal well-being. This is especially important when addressing conditions like gestational diabetes, which affects 10–14 per cent of pregnancies in the UK, according to a recent report by the Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group UK (DIPSI). After giving birth, women often experience various changes, including ongoing concerns such as urinary incontinence due to weakened pelvic muscles and discomfort resulting from routine practices like episiotomies during vaginal deliveries. Unfortunately, post-pregnancy care often lacks attention, leaving women uninformed about potential complications.&nbsp;

The introduction of AI holds promise for tackling these challenges by enabling real-time monitoring and tailored interventions. AI-powered systems can provide customised insights, continuous health monitoring, and personalised exercise routines to mitigate risks. By highlighting the often overlooked aspect of post-pregnancy outcomes, AI-driven support has the potential to empower women by effectively managing risks and enhancing their overall well-being.

<h2>Supporting Mental Health: AI as an Open-Minded Companion</h2>

Utilising AI as an open-minded mental health companion presents an innovative avenue full of potential. AI offers continuous accessibility, delivering immediate assistance outside of traditional therapy hours. It creates a non-judgmental space where women can openly express thoughts and emotions, serving as a refuge for those hesitant to share their feelings. Through unbiased listening, AI provides validation and understanding, along with tailored coping mechanisms aligned with cultural inclinations and individual needs.

A recent survey conducted by the mental health platform miindmymiind.com revealed that a significant number of women recognise the need for psychological support but are reluctant to seek professional help. Among the surveyed women, approximately 62 per cent acknowledged the need for psychological support, yet only 9 per cent actually sought professional assistance. This pattern aligns with previous studies highlighting the increasing prevalence of mental illness in women, with one in five women experiencing common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.&nbsp;

AI's ability for mood monitoring, crisis intervention, and delivering mental health educational content equips women with the tools to take proactive steps in managing their mental well-being. In immersive experiences, AI-driven virtual reality platforms can facilitate exposure therapy, supporting women in navigating and moderating anxieties specific to their cultural and societal context.

However, while AI holds significant promise, its role should be one of support, not a substitute for human interaction and expert guidance. Ethical considerations, data privacy, and well-informed user consent are crucial when developing AI applications tailored to the mental health needs of women. Collaborative efforts involving AI experts, mental health professionals, and individuals with relevant experiences are essential for creating culturally attuned and effective AI-driven mental health support systems. By fostering this collaborative synergy, AI can become a trusted companion, offering invaluable support as women navigate their unique paths towards mental well-being.

The rise of AI and ML in women's health management marks an era of personalised, proactive, and empowering care. Real-world examples underscore the profound impact these technologies have across the spectrum of women's health — from early detection and customised treatment to enhancing mental health support and advancing research. As we move forward, collaboration among healthcare experts, researchers, technologists, and policymakers will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of AI and ML. Together, we are shaping a future where women's health is revered, strengthened, and safeguarded, and where AI and ML stand as steadfast allies on this remarkable journey.

(Authored by Ms Sigal Atzmon, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Medix Global)

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In the ever-evolving realm of healthcare, a transformative revolution is unfolding, one that centres on addressing the unique needs and complexities faced by women.

In the ever-evolving realm of healthcare, a transformative revolution is unfolding, one that centres on addressing the unique needs and complexities faced by women. At its core, this paradigm shift finds its epicentre in the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), poised to redefine the landscape of women's health, both in terms of its management and celebration. Unveiling the Power of Early Detection and Diagnosis Mammography, a cornerstone of breast health, is on the verge of a new era driven by AI-driven innovations. A recent preliminary study has highlighted the remarkable potential of AI in the field of breast cancer detection. Published in The Lancet Oncology, this study provides compelling evidence that AI can significantly enhance doctors' abilities to identify breast cancers through mammograms. Collaborating with radiologists, AI managed to identify 20 per cent more cancers compared to radiologists working alone. Equally promising, integrating AI resulted in a significant 44 per cent reduction in radiologists' workload. While this study emphasises AI's strength as a robust tool, it equally underscores the indispensable value of radiologists' clinical expertise, suggesting that AI should be embraced as a supportive assistant rather than a replacement. The study's findings resonate with AI's broader potential across various medical applications, showcasing its ability to rapidly and consistently process large amounts of data. These outcomes open up further avenues for exploration and collaboration between AI systems and medical professionals, envisioning a future where AI enhances specialists' ability to decipher complex health issues such as breast cancer, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes through early detection. Crafting Personalised Precision: Tailoring Treatment for Women Analysing individual patient data through AI-powered methods allows tailored treatment approaches for women. Doctors can create personalised treatment plans by factoring genetic markers, lifestyle habits, and medical history into consideration thanks to AI. With personalised medicine, this strategy offers the possibility of enhancing healthcare for women by mitigating risks and meeting their specialised needs. Personalised medicine made possible by AI holds great promise for those affected by endometriosis, who number in the countless. Mastering Menstrual Cycles: Beyond Fertility AI technology has become a crucial ally for women in understanding and tracking their menstrual cycles, supporting fertility planning, and more. Employing AI algorithms, apps like Flo and Clue offer predictions about ovulation, furnish fertility intelligence, and provide personalised suggestions focused on optimising reproductive wellness. With this growth, women have the freedom to decide about their reproduction route, choosing knowledgeable resolutions connected to family planning or clinical intervention if important. Also read: How robotic joint replacement is transforming orthopaedic surgery Supporting Pregnancy: Continuous Vigilance and Intervention Throughout pregnancy, real-time vigilance and proactive assistance are vital for ensuring maternal well-being. This is especially important when addressing conditions like gestational diabetes, which affects 10–14 per cent of pregnancies in the UK, according to a recent report by the Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group UK (DIPSI). After giving birth, women often experience various changes, including ongoing concerns such as urinary incontinence due to weakened pelvic muscles and discomfort resulting from routine practices like episiotomies during vaginal deliveries. Unfortunately, post-pregnancy care often lacks attention, leaving women uninformed about potential complications. The introduction of AI holds promise for tackling these challenges by enabling real-time monitoring and tailored interventions. AI-powered systems can provide customised insights, continuous health monitoring, and personalised exercise routines to mitigate risks. By highlighting the often overlooked aspect of post-pregnancy outcomes, AI-driven support has the potential to empower women by effectively managing risks and enhancing their overall well-being. Supporting Mental Health: AI as an Open-Minded Companion Utilising AI as an open-minded mental health companion presents an innovative avenue full of potential. AI offers continuous accessibility, delivering immediate assistance outside of traditional therapy hours. It creates a non-judgmental space where women can openly express thoughts and emotions, serving as a refuge for those hesitant to share their feelings. Through unbiased listening, AI provides validation and understanding, along with tailored coping mechanisms aligned with cultural inclinations and individual needs. A recent survey conducted by the mental health platform miindmymiind.com revealed that a significant number of women recognise the need for psychological support but are reluctant to seek professional help. Among the surveyed women, approximately 62 per cent acknowledged the need for psychological support, yet only 9 per cent actually sought professional assistance. This pattern aligns with previous studies highlighting the increasing prevalence of mental illness in women, with one in five women experiencing common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. AI's ability for mood monitoring, crisis intervention, and delivering mental health educational content equips women with the tools to take proactive steps in managing their mental well-being. In immersive experiences, AI-driven virtual reality platforms can facilitate exposure therapy, supporting women in navigating and moderating anxieties specific to their cultural and societal context. However, while AI holds significant promise, its role should be one of support, not a substitute for human interaction and expert guidance. Ethical considerations, data privacy, and well-informed user consent are crucial when developing AI applications tailored to the mental health needs of women. Collaborative efforts involving AI experts, mental health professionals, and individuals with relevant experiences are essential for creating culturally attuned and effective AI-driven mental health support systems. By fostering this collaborative synergy, AI can become a trusted companion, offering invaluable support as women navigate their unique paths towards mental well-being. The rise of AI and ML in women's health management marks an era of personalised, proactive, and empowering care. Real-world examples underscore the profound impact these technologies have across the spectrum of women's health — from early detection and customised treatment to enhancing mental health support and advancing research. As we move forward, collaboration among healthcare experts, researchers, technologists, and policymakers will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of AI and ML. Together, we are shaping a future where women's health is revered, strengthened, and safeguarded, and where AI and ML stand as steadfast allies on this remarkable journey. (Authored by Ms Sigal Atzmon, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Medix Global) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

AI and Machine Learning in women's health management: Pioneering the future

Healthcare education aims to teach a larger feeling of responsibility towards the environment as well as train future healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat patients. Integrating environmental awareness into healthcare education is essential for a sustainable future in today's world, where the influence of climate change and environmental degradation&nbsp;on public health is obvious. This article explores the value of environmental consciousness in healthcare education and how it might help create a more sustainable healthcare system.

<h2>Understanding the Link Between Health and Environment</h2>

It's important to acknowledge the connection between health and the environment before examining environmental awareness's function in healthcare education. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), environmental factors account for up to a quarter of the worldwide illness burden. The deterioration of ecosystems, exposure to dangerous chemicals, and pollution of the air and water are some of these reasons.

Since there is a connection between environmental challenges and public health, healthcare practitioners should consider it more than merely an ecological issue. Numerous health issues, including respiratory ailments, illnesses brought on by the heat, diseases spread by insects, vector-borne illnesses, and food insecurity, can be brought on by pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.

<h2>The Role of Healthcare Education</h2>

1. Raising Awareness: Increasing student understanding is the first step in incorporating environmental concerns into healthcare teaching. To make it obvious that protecting the environment is equivalent to protecting patients, educators should emphasize how environmental variables affect health.

2. Curriculum Integration: The healthcare curriculum should include environmental subjects. Classes on environmental health, ethical healthcare, and the environmental effects of healthcare systems can all fall under this category. Students may study, for instance, how healthcare facilities' carbon footprints might be reduced.

3. Interdisciplinary Learning: An all-encompassing comprehension of the problems can be fostered via collaborative education between healthcare and environmental science programs. Students can work on collaborative projects and research studies that examine the relationship between environmental sustainability and human health.

4. Practical Training: The curriculum needs to include practical instruction in eco-friendly medical procedures. Among other things, this might entail educating students on how to choose eco-friendly goods and technology, cutting back on energy use, and minimizing waste.

5. Ethical Considerations: The ethical duties of healthcare practitioners in relation to environmental stewardship should be covered in ethics courses. Students may have a feeling of ethical obligation to protect the environment as a result of this.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-how-robotic-joint-replacement-is-transforming-orthopaedic-surgery-636236">How robotic joint replacement is transforming orthopaedic surgery</a>

<h2>Benefits of Environmental Awareness in Healthcare Education</h2>

1. Improved Health Outcomes: Environmentally aware healthcare practitioners are better able to recognize and manage the environmental determinants of health, which ultimately improves patient outcomes.

2. Cost Savings: Sustainable healthcare practices frequently result in cost reductions for healthcare organizations. Technologies that use less energy and waste-reduction strategies save operating costs while simultaneously helping the environment.

3. Enhanced Reputation: Public perception of healthcare facilities is often better when environmental awareness and sustainability are prioritized. Institutions that exhibit a commitment to environmental sustainability are valued by patients and communities.

4. Global Perspective: Future medical professionals are more equipped to manage global health issues associated with climate change, such as the spread of infectious illnesses and problems with food security, thanks to environmental awareness in healthcare education.

Healthcare education has to change as a result of the wider issues that our increasingly linked society presents. Making the healthcare system aware of its responsibility for environmental stewardship is another goal of integrating environmental consciousness into healthcare education, in addition to developing more environmentally conscious healthcare workers. By doing this, we may strive towards a day when environmental sustainability and healthcare coexist, eventually to the advantage of both patients and the environment.

(Authored by Dr Devesh Kumar Singh, Chairman of Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences and Noida International University)

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Healthcare education aims to teach a larger feeling of responsibility towards the environment as well as train future healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat patients.

Healthcare education aims to teach a larger feeling of responsibility towards the environment as well as train future healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat patients. Integrating environmental awareness into healthcare education is essential for a sustainable future in today's world, where the influence of climate change and environmental degradation on public health is obvious. This article explores the value of environmental consciousness in healthcare education and how it might help create a more sustainable healthcare system. Understanding the Link Between Health and Environment It's important to acknowledge the connection between health and the environment before examining environmental awareness's function in healthcare education. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), environmental factors account for up to a quarter of the worldwide illness burden. The deterioration of ecosystems, exposure to dangerous chemicals, and pollution of the air and water are some of these reasons. Since there is a connection between environmental challenges and public health, healthcare practitioners should consider it more than merely an ecological issue. Numerous health issues, including respiratory ailments, illnesses brought on by the heat, diseases spread by insects, vector-borne illnesses, and food insecurity, can be brought on by pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The Role of Healthcare Education 1. Raising Awareness: Increasing student understanding is the first step in incorporating environmental concerns into healthcare teaching. To make it obvious that protecting the environment is equivalent to protecting patients, educators should emphasize how environmental variables affect health. 2. Curriculum Integration: The healthcare curriculum should include environmental subjects. Classes on environmental health, ethical healthcare, and the environmental effects of healthcare systems can all fall under this category. Students may study, for instance, how healthcare facilities' carbon footprints might be reduced. 3. Interdisciplinary Learning: An all-encompassing comprehension of the problems can be fostered via collaborative education between healthcare and environmental science programs. Students can work on collaborative projects and research studies that examine the relationship between environmental sustainability and human health. 4. Practical Training: The curriculum needs to include practical instruction in eco-friendly medical procedures. Among other things, this might entail educating students on how to choose eco-friendly goods and technology, cutting back on energy use, and minimizing waste. 5. Ethical Considerations: The ethical duties of healthcare practitioners in relation to environmental stewardship should be covered in ethics courses. Students may have a feeling of ethical obligation to protect the environment as a result of this. Also read: How robotic joint replacement is transforming orthopaedic surgery Benefits of Environmental Awareness in Healthcare Education 1. Improved Health Outcomes: Environmentally aware healthcare practitioners are better able to recognize and manage the environmental determinants of health, which ultimately improves patient outcomes. 2. Cost Savings: Sustainable healthcare practices frequently result in cost reductions for healthcare organizations. Technologies that use less energy and waste-reduction strategies save operating costs while simultaneously helping the environment. 3. Enhanced Reputation: Public perception of healthcare facilities is often better when environmental awareness and sustainability are prioritized. Institutions that exhibit a commitment to environmental sustainability are valued by patients and communities. 4. Global Perspective: Future medical professionals are more equipped to manage global health issues associated with climate change, such as the spread of infectious illnesses and problems with food security, thanks to environmental awareness in healthcare education. Healthcare education has to change as a result of the wider issues that our increasingly linked society presents. Making the healthcare system aware of its responsibility for environmental stewardship is another goal of integrating environmental consciousness into healthcare education, in addition to developing more environmentally conscious healthcare workers. By doing this, we may strive towards a day when environmental sustainability and healthcare coexist, eventually to the advantage of both patients and the environment. (Authored by Dr Devesh Kumar Singh, Chairman of Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences and Noida International University) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Healthcare education for a sustainable future: The role of environmental awareness

Artificial intelligence has transformed the healthcare industry in multiple ways from screening to diagnosing AI has reshaped the medical history and now AI can detect Parkinson's disease seven years before clinical diagnosis as per a study conducted by the University College London and Moorefield's Eye Hospital.

British researchers conduct AI-assisted study in healthcare

The Indian healthcare system is a complex and diverse network of medical services, facilities, and resources designed to provide healthcare services to the country's vast population.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In India's healthcare system, one of the biggest obstacles is unequal access to high-quality treatment. A large portion of the population receives insufficient healthcare as a result of the stark differences between rural and urban areas in terms of healthcare facilities, resources, and services.

The lack of financing for the healthcare system frequently leads to a shortage of staff, resources, and medical devices. Providing fast and efficient healthcare could become more difficult. A household's financial burden during medical crises still falls on many people due to a lack of adequate health insurance. Despite having a sizable healthcare workforce, it is nevertheless difficult to provide dependable, high-quality treatment all over India.

The security of patients and procedures in healthcare must be improved. The quick development of digital technology has possibilities for enhancing accessibility and healthcare delivery. Public awareness campaigns and efforts that support healthier lives can help with long-term gains in overall wellness.

While increasing health insurance access would ensure that more people can receive essential medical care without incurring exorbitant costs, it may also result in lower taxes for both individuals and families.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-navigating-parenthood-in-delayed-childbearing-era-626961">Navigating parenthood in delayed childbearing era</a>&nbsp;

By enhancing patient outcomes in terms of evaluation and treatment planning, healthcare professionals might benefit from technological advancements like AI, machine learning, and data analytics. The way healthcare is supplied may fundamentally change as a result of technological advancements, remote monitoring, and health applications.&nbsp;

Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), one of India's many flagship programs, aims to provide access to tertiary and secondary healthcare services and provide health insurance to the country's more than 500 million impoverished families.

According to NITI Aayog's research, "Health Insurance for India's Missing Middle," 30 per cent of the population lacks any kind of financial health insurance. The Ayushman Bharat plan reportedly covers 50 per cent of the population. Social insurance and private voluntary health insurance cover around 20 per cent of the population.

The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) aims to create a digital health ecosystem by making it easier for healthcare providers to exchange health information. Some of its features include personal health information and Health ID card services.

The National Health Mission (NHM) aims to improve the healthcare system, deliver essential medical treatment, and lower baby and maternal death rates. It includes a range of initiatives, such as family planning, the prevention of communicable diseases, and maternal and child health.

The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) project offers free treatment to individuals who have been financially vulnerable in an effort to increase access to dialysis for persons with kidney disease.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-the-gut-skin-connection-unravelling-the-link-between-bad-gut-health-and-psoriasis-626711">The gut-skin connection! Unravelling the link between bad gut health and psoriasis</a>

These government programs offer a framework for dealing with healthcare concerns and capitalising on opportunities for the sector's growth. Through collaboration with the private sector, encouraging innovation, and continually enhancing how these ideals are put into practice, the Indian healthcare system is undergoing positive and innovative advancements.

India's healthcare system is a dynamic and intricate network made up of many different medical practices, services, and facilities. It represents the nation's rich history and customs while attempting to advance to the most recent medical advancements and international medical norms. Despite its accomplishments and abilities, the system nevertheless faces formidable obstacles that limit its capacity to offer every resident a selection of high-quality, fairly cost healthcare.

(Authored by Dr Devesh Kumar Singh, chairman of Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences)

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The Indian healthcare system is a complex and diverse network of medical services, facilities, and resources designed to provide healthcare services to the country's vast population.

The Indian healthcare system is a complex and diverse network of medical services, facilities, and resources designed to provide healthcare services to the country's vast population. In India's healthcare system, one of the biggest obstacles is unequal access to high-quality treatment. A large portion of the population receives insufficient healthcare as a result of the stark differences between rural and urban areas in terms of healthcare facilities, resources, and services. The lack of financing for the healthcare system frequently leads to a shortage of staff, resources, and medical devices. Providing fast and efficient healthcare could become more difficult. A household's financial burden during medical crises still falls on many people due to a lack of adequate health insurance. Despite having a sizable healthcare workforce, it is nevertheless difficult to provide dependable, high-quality treatment all over India. The security of patients and procedures in healthcare must be improved. The quick development of digital technology has possibilities for enhancing accessibility and healthcare delivery. Public awareness campaigns and efforts that support healthier lives can help with long-term gains in overall wellness. While increasing health insurance access would ensure that more people can receive essential medical care without incurring exorbitant costs, it may also result in lower taxes for both individuals and families. Also read: Navigating parenthood in delayed childbearing era By enhancing patient outcomes in terms of evaluation and treatment planning, healthcare professionals might benefit from technological advancements like AI, machine learning, and data analytics. The way healthcare is supplied may fundamentally change as a result of technological advancements, remote monitoring, and health applications. Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), one of India's many flagship programs, aims to provide access to tertiary and secondary healthcare services and provide health insurance to the country's more than 500 million impoverished families. According to NITI Aayog's research, "Health Insurance for India's Missing Middle," 30 per cent of the population lacks any kind of financial health insurance. The Ayushman Bharat plan reportedly covers 50 per cent of the population. Social insurance and private voluntary health insurance cover around 20 per cent of the population. The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) aims to create a digital health ecosystem by making it easier for healthcare providers to exchange health information. Some of its features include personal health information and Health ID card services. The National Health Mission (NHM) aims to improve the healthcare system, deliver essential medical treatment, and lower baby and maternal death rates. It includes a range of initiatives, such as family planning, the prevention of communicable diseases, and maternal and child health. The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) project offers free treatment to individuals who have been financially vulnerable in an effort to increase access to dialysis for persons with kidney disease. Also read: The gut-skin connection! Unravelling the link between bad gut health and psoriasis These government programs offer a framework for dealing with healthcare concerns and capitalising on opportunities for the sector's growth. Through collaboration with the private sector, encouraging innovation, and continually enhancing how these ideals are put into practice, the Indian healthcare system is undergoing positive and innovative advancements. India's healthcare system is a dynamic and intricate network made up of many different medical practices, services, and facilities. It represents the nation's rich history and customs while attempting to advance to the most recent medical advancements and international medical norms. Despite its accomplishments and abilities, the system nevertheless faces formidable obstacles that limit its capacity to offer every resident a selection of high-quality, fairly cost healthcare. (Authored by Dr Devesh Kumar Singh, chairman of Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The changing healthcare landscape in India: Recognising the challenges and opportunities

A recent Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey released on Tuesday has revealed distressing findings regarding care during pregnancy.&nbsp;One in five women in the United States has&nbsp;reported that she encountered mistreatment, including scoldings, during pregnancy and delivery care at the hands of the nation's health professionals.

<h2>Racial angle to the mistreatment</h2>

The CDC study found that this mistreatment was more prevalent among Black, Hispanic, and multiracial women, as well as those without private insurance coverage.

In a statement, Dr Debra Houry, the CDC's Chief Medical Officer, said that "These data show that we must do better to support moms."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-compares-devastating-maui-wildfire-to-a-small-house-fire-from-2004-tells-survivors-i-can-relate-628094">Biden compares devastating Maui wildfire to a small house-fire from 2004, tells survivors 'I can relate'</a>

The CDC's Vital Signs report mentions the various forms of mistreatment. These include instances of women being scolded or shouted at, them not receiving a response to requests for help, and not having their physical privacy protected.&nbsp;

Additionally, many reported that they were on the receiving end of threats to withhold treatments or were pressured into accepting unwanted treatment.

Survey data shows that around 30 per cent of Black women, 29 per cent of Hispanic women, and 27 per cent of multiracial women reported mistreatment during their maternity care experiences.&nbsp;

<h2>What would improving pregnancy care do?</h2>

As per the survey that was conducted in April, enhancing the quality of maternity care could play a crucial role in preventing pregnancy-related deaths.

Furthermore, it highlighted how prevalent discrimination was among pregnant women.&nbsp;It noted that "the most common reasons for reported discrimination were age, weight, and income and varied by race/ethnicity."

The survey also found&nbsp;that in general, women tend to hold back from asking questions or concerns to healthcare providers during their maternity care. This hesitation was often due to&nbsp;embarrassment about discussing certain topics, fears that they would be perceived as difficult, or because the providers were rushed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-reveals-alarming-findings-few-days-of-scorching-heat-to-push-billions-in-throes-of-food-insecurity-627877">Few days of scorching heat to push billions in throes of food insecurity: Study</a>

Furthermore, the type of insurance coverage held by women also played a part in their pregnancy healthcare experiences.

Pregnant women without insurance — which account for 28 per cent of those surveyed, or those with public insurance (26 per cent) reported higher rates of mistreatment compared to women with private insurance coverage (16 per cent).

Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra stressed that "every mother deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Maternal care is a core component of this nation's health care." He also said, "Bias, stigma, and mistreatment have no place in our healthcare system."

(With inputs from agencies)

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A recent Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey released on Tuesday has revealed distressing findings regarding care during pregnancy. One in five women in the United States has reported that she encountered mistreatment, including scoldings, during pregnancy and delivery care at the hands of the nation's health professionals.

A recent Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey released on Tuesday has revealed distressing findings regarding care during pregnancy. One in five women in the United States has reported that she encountered mistreatment, including scoldings, during pregnancy and delivery care at the hands of the nation's health professionals. Racial angle to the mistreatment The CDC study found that this mistreatment was more prevalent among Black, Hispanic, and multiracial women, as well as those without private insurance coverage. In a statement, Dr Debra Houry, the CDC's Chief Medical Officer, said that "These data show that we must do better to support moms." Also read | Biden compares devastating Maui wildfire to a small house-fire from 2004, tells survivors 'I can relate' The CDC's Vital Signs report mentions the various forms of mistreatment. These include instances of women being scolded or shouted at, them not receiving a response to requests for help, and not having their physical privacy protected. Additionally, many reported that they were on the receiving end of threats to withhold treatments or were pressured into accepting unwanted treatment. Survey data shows that around 30 per cent of Black women, 29 per cent of Hispanic women, and 27 per cent of multiracial women reported mistreatment during their maternity care experiences. What would improving pregnancy care do? As per the survey that was conducted in April, enhancing the quality of maternity care could play a crucial role in preventing pregnancy-related deaths. Furthermore, it highlighted how prevalent discrimination was among pregnant women. It noted that "the most common reasons for reported discrimination were age, weight, and income and varied by race/ethnicity." The survey also found that in general, women tend to hold back from asking questions or concerns to healthcare providers during their maternity care. This hesitation was often due to embarrassment about discussing certain topics, fears that they would be perceived as difficult, or because the providers were rushed. Also read | Few days of scorching heat to push billions in throes of food insecurity: Study Furthermore, the type of insurance coverage held by women also played a part in their pregnancy healthcare experiences. Pregnant women without insurance — which account for 28 per cent of those surveyed, or those with public insurance (26 per cent) reported higher rates of mistreatment compared to women with private insurance coverage (16 per cent). Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra stressed that "every mother deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Maternal care is a core component of this nation's health care." He also said, "Bias, stigma, and mistreatment have no place in our healthcare system." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

CDC survey finds disturbing mistreatment of pregnant women by health professionals

COVID-19 showed the world how a pandemic can shatter the healthcare system, and leave it in an abysmal state. Even the world's best healthcare facilities collapsed when the coronavirus was on a rampage. The Covid surge in 2021 and 2022 exposed the weak leadership of several governments, but it also emerged as a lesson for how to tackle such unprecedented situations in the future.&nbsp;

What are the ways that can help the world more efficiently in future? The answer is to focus on the bottom of the pyramid, like rural, underdeveloped, remote areas, where healthcare facilities are not up to the mark, and regions where there is a lack of resources.&nbsp;

To understand it better, WION got in touch with an India-based startup&nbsp;Curebay, which aims to enhance the rural healthcare infrastructure in the rural areas of the eastern state of Odisha.&nbsp;

Covid impacted urban and rural areas differently. When people were isolated in cities, the situation in remote areas was rather disparate. People in rural areas dealt with multi-dimensional issues in every state when the virus spread. Lack of information, doctor consultation, and vaccine storage are among a few major issues that the governments faced.&nbsp;

Not just Covid, a report revealed that more than 60 per cent of people from rural areas chose to "migrate" out of their state in order to avail treatment for major diseases. The study by Transform Rural India and Sambodhi Research Pvt. Ltd. found that the majority of people used government-run secondary-level facilities (around 60 per cent), about 22 per cent went to a private facility, mostly hospitals, and just over five per cent consulted a private medical practitioner.

The study titled, 'State of Healthcare in Rural India-2023', had 6,478 respondents, 75 per cent men and 25 per cent women, across six regions - north, south, northeast, east, central and west.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-new-study-reveals-menstrual-discs-are-better-than-tampons-pads-for-heavy-flow-623532">New study reveals menstrual discs are better than tampons, pads for heavy flow</a>&nbsp;

These are the reasons why we need programmes like Curebay.&nbsp;

Priyadarshi Mohapatra, founder, CureBay was asked about his Skype ID while consulting a doctor during the peak of the pandemic when everything was shut down.

That triggered a chain of thought: "If this is what I am going through, living in Gurgaon, which is such a good healthcare facility, then what would be a billion people living in this country in remote locations going through?"

Mohapatra said a billion people in this country are dependent on public healthcare infrastructure for their basic medical needs. And everybody has sort of left it for the government to solve.&nbsp;

He said the "government has done a phenomenal job in creating a very large network of physical healthcare distribution" in the form of district headquarters, hospitals, sub-centres and the Asha, Anganwadi.&nbsp;But what public healthcare could not solve is the provider-patient ratio.

<img alt="CureBay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="817b5c42-9159-4cea-86f5-b52cf4f07220" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/CureBay.png" />

Weighing in on the pandemic and its impact, Mohapatra said that in the urban regions, "India is pretty much ready."

He added, "I think our healthcare infrastructure that is present in urban areas is fairly solid. And we have shown it. Like many other countries literally you know crumbled under pressure during the pandemic. India stood up on its own. But I think where India really lagged in providing the service and our infrastructure got a little bit exposed was the rural and semi-urban markets."&nbsp;

<h2>Rural India and healthcare facilities&nbsp;</h2>

The patient journey in these remote areas is difficult and the options available to them are very sub-optimal.&nbsp;

Rural India is dangerously becoming antibiotic-resistant in the absence of prescription and the course, because most of the time, the pharmacist hands over medicines to them without knowledge.&nbsp;

Mohapatra said it's not that they are not aware, it's because they want to avoid travel as it's a commercial burden on them.&nbsp;

Sometimes, due to a lack of information and other challenges, patients from rural India end up in places where the quality of healthcare is very inferior, even those that are not authorised. Sometimes at the risk of losing an organ.&nbsp;

<img alt="CureBay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d8a432a8-725f-43f9-ba7d-358d8f6dd593" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/CureBay%20%282%29.png" />

<h2>So, how will this start-up solve this problem?&nbsp;</h2>

A hybrid model:&nbsp; 
 
Part 1: A platform has been designed for the care continuum and aggregated the physical healthcare system, which is doctors, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and even medtech devices on that platform, so that the ecosystem can collaborate in real-time and deliver healthcare outcomes.&nbsp;

The E-centres employ certified nurses. Either ANM (Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery) or GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) as nurse. Also somebody with a degree in pharmacology and a qualified pharmacist.&nbsp;

Mohapatra said that a lot of people walk into the centres asking how to take benefits of the government schemes and the staff members guide them and assist them without any commercial benefit.&nbsp;

Part 2: Part two of the model was physical centres, E-clinics. These centres were designed on the principle of being extremely asset-like and designed for assisted healthcare. These centres had two trained and certified healthcare professionals, one nurse and one pharmacist. They gave access to tech platforms, a few medical-grade devices, and a few point-of-care devices.&nbsp;

<img alt="Curebay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e58f6a80-30aa-4ff0-a36d-ce1e328854ea" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Curebay%20%283%29.png" />

<h2>How does this work?&nbsp;</h2>

The staff will first do a preclinical screening of the patient and within 10 minutes they will speak to a doctor. After that, the staff pick up the prescription and the e-prescription and follow the next steps (tests, etc). The staff at e-centres also ensure that the medicines are delivered to the patient on time, at the best price.&nbsp;

<h2>How do staff members reach remote areas?</h2>

This programme has an interesting concept of 'Swasthya Mitra' — a way to connect the community because primary health care is about community health care not about clinical health care.&nbsp;

Every clinic has 4 to 5 people who are very local and stay in those areas. They are made 'Swasthya Mitras'. They are provided with a technology platform by which they can go to people and a lot of services can be delivered right at the door. This is also providing employment opportunities.&nbsp;

<img alt="Curebay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cbbb8e64-8110-439b-bac6-531bd470a85b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Curebay%20%284%29.png" />

<h2>What are the challenges?&nbsp;</h2>

WION also spoke to Dr Shilpa Bhatte, MBBS, MD and the Chief Programme Officer of CureBay to know the challenges faced by the doctors when they see the patients and make the diagnosis.&nbsp;

Dr Shilpa Bhatte said that the biggest and the basic challenge for a rural health care model is for people in rural remote areas to realise that first of all, they need to seek care for whatever they are going through.&nbsp;

She also said that lack of awareness is a big issue. She said that they might be having access to cable TV and the internet, but that does not mean they are aware that they need to take care of themselves.&nbsp;

Dr Bhatte said that people in rural areas need to understand that taking unprescribed medicines for a month or so for chronic diseases or non-communicable diseases will not cure them, and can only be controlled and managed.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-breastfeeding-beyond-infancy-extending-the-benefits-and-addressing-stigmas--world-breastfeeding-week-2023-623108">Breastfeeding beyond infancy: Extending the benefits and addressing stigmas</a>&nbsp;

"I&nbsp;think there are a lot of myths and misconceptions around how these newer diseases can be controlled or treated, I think that's another challenge over there, the understanding of what a patient journey is. And do you think you are able to understand their problems because sometimes it's not easier when you are not seeing them in person," she said.&nbsp;

The virtual consultation is definitely a challenge, but then she stated that the team designs the programme in a way that all the resources are optimally utilised. She said, "Our training focuses on observation of a patient, inspection, examination and then giving a diagnosis."&nbsp;

She added that the doctors who are virtually examining the patients will depend on the nurse and the pharmacist to check all the vitals, all the other point-of-care measurements and whatever little time in taking history.&nbsp;

<img alt="Curebay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dc0cea19-a82e-486c-b5f5-236c5dfd49b0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Curebay%20%285%29.png" />

<h2>What are the urgent actions?&nbsp;</h2>

Mohapatra said that first and foremost we need to take the urban myth out of our mind that rural customers are not willing to pay. He said that "rural customers are absolutely willing to pay if you get the right service at the right price. Today there is no knowledge arbitrage. They are as informed as you and me. They know what are the best services. What prices are available? You need to bring those high-quality services to them at the right price. They are willing to pay."&nbsp;

"The other thing you need to do is build trust with them. You cannot do one camp and then disappear," he added.&nbsp;

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COVID-19 showed the world how a pandemic can shatter the healthcare system, and leave it in an abysmal state. Even the world's best healthcare facilities collapsed when the coronavirus was on a rampage.

COVID-19 showed the world how a pandemic can shatter the healthcare system, and leave it in an abysmal state. Even the world's best healthcare facilities collapsed when the coronavirus was on a rampage. The Covid surge in 2021 and 2022 exposed the weak leadership of several governments, but it also emerged as a lesson for how to tackle such unprecedented situations in the future. What are the ways that can help the world more efficiently in future? The answer is to focus on the bottom of the pyramid, like rural, underdeveloped, remote areas, where healthcare facilities are not up to the mark, and regions where there is a lack of resources. To understand it better, WION got in touch with an India-based startup Curebay, which aims to enhance the rural healthcare infrastructure in the rural areas of the eastern state of Odisha. Covid impacted urban and rural areas differently. When people were isolated in cities, the situation in remote areas was rather disparate. People in rural areas dealt with multi-dimensional issues in every state when the virus spread. Lack of information, doctor consultation, and vaccine storage are among a few major issues that the governments faced. Not just Covid, a report revealed that more than 60 per cent of people from rural areas chose to "migrate" out of their state in order to avail treatment for major diseases. The study by Transform Rural India and Sambodhi Research Pvt. Ltd. found that the majority of people used government-run secondary-level facilities (around 60 per cent), about 22 per cent went to a private facility, mostly hospitals, and just over five per cent consulted a private medical practitioner. The study titled, 'State of Healthcare in Rural India-2023', had 6,478 respondents, 75 per cent men and 25 per cent women, across six regions - north, south, northeast, east, central and west. Also read: New study reveals menstrual discs are better than tampons, pads for heavy flow These are the reasons why we need programmes like Curebay. Priyadarshi Mohapatra, founder, CureBay was asked about his Skype ID while consulting a doctor during the peak of the pandemic when everything was shut down. That triggered a chain of thought: "If this is what I am going through, living in Gurgaon, which is such a good healthcare facility, then what would be a billion people living in this country in remote locations going through?" Mohapatra said a billion people in this country are dependent on public healthcare infrastructure for their basic medical needs. And everybody has sort of left it for the government to solve. He said the "government has done a phenomenal job in creating a very large network of physical healthcare distribution" in the form of district headquarters, hospitals, sub-centres and the Asha, Anganwadi. But what public healthcare could not solve is the provider-patient ratio. Weighing in on the pandemic and its impact, Mohapatra said that in the urban regions, "India is pretty much ready." He added, "I think our healthcare infrastructure that is present in urban areas is fairly solid. And we have shown it. Like many other countries literally you know crumbled under pressure during the pandemic. India stood up on its own. But I think where India really lagged in providing the service and our infrastructure got a little bit exposed was the rural and semi-urban markets." Rural India and healthcare facilities The patient journey in these remote areas is difficult and the options available to them are very sub-optimal. Rural India is dangerously becoming antibiotic-resistant in the absence of prescription and the course, because most of the time, the pharmacist hands over medicines to them without knowledge. Mohapatra said it's not that they are not aware, it's because they want to avoid travel as it's a commercial burden on them. Sometimes, due to a lack of information and other challenges, patients from rural India end up in places where the quality of healthcare is very inferior, even those that are not authorised. Sometimes at the risk of losing an organ. So, how will this start-up solve this problem? A hybrid model: Part 1: A platform has been designed for the care continuum and aggregated the physical healthcare system, which is doctors, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and even medtech devices on that platform, so that the ecosystem can collaborate in real-time and deliver healthcare outcomes. The E-centres employ certified nurses. Either ANM (Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery) or GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) as nurse. Also somebody with a degree in pharmacology and a qualified pharmacist. Mohapatra said that a lot of people walk into the centres asking how to take benefits of the government schemes and the staff members guide them and assist them without any commercial benefit. Part 2: Part two of the model was physical centres, E-clinics. These centres were designed on the principle of being extremely asset-like and designed for assisted healthcare. These centres had two trained and certified healthcare professionals, one nurse and one pharmacist. They gave access to tech platforms, a few medical-grade devices, and a few point-of-care devices. How does this work? The staff will first do a preclinical screening of the patient and within 10 minutes they will speak to a doctor. After that, the staff pick up the prescription and the e-prescription and follow the next steps (tests, etc). The staff at e-centres also ensure that the medicines are delivered to the patient on time, at the best price. How do staff members reach remote areas? This programme has an interesting concept of 'Swasthya Mitra' — a way to connect the community because primary health care is about community health care not about clinical health care. Every clinic has 4 to 5 people who are very local and stay in those areas. They are made 'Swasthya Mitras'. They are provided with a technology platform by which they can go to people and a lot of services can be delivered right at the door. This is also providing employment opportunities. What are the challenges? WION also spoke to Dr Shilpa Bhatte, MBBS, MD and the Chief Programme Officer of CureBay to know the challenges faced by the doctors when they see the patients and make the diagnosis. Dr Shilpa Bhatte said that the biggest and the basic challenge for a rural health care model is for people in rural remote areas to realise that first of all, they need to seek care for whatever they are going through. She also said that lack of awareness is a big issue. She said that they might be having access to cable TV and the internet, but that does not mean they are aware that they need to take care of themselves. Dr Bhatte said that people in rural areas need to understand that taking unprescribed medicines for a month or so for chronic diseases or non-communicable diseases will not cure them, and can only be controlled and managed. Also read: Breastfeeding beyond infancy: Extending the benefits and addressing stigmas "I think there are a lot of myths and misconceptions around how these newer diseases can be controlled or treated, I think that's another challenge over there, the understanding of what a patient journey is. And do you think you are able to understand their problems because sometimes it's not easier when you are not seeing them in person," she said. The virtual consultation is definitely a challenge, but then she stated that the team designs the programme in a way that all the resources are optimally utilised. She said, "Our training focuses on observation of a patient, inspection, examination and then giving a diagnosis." She added that the doctors who are virtually examining the patients will depend on the nurse and the pharmacist to check all the vitals, all the other point-of-care measurements and whatever little time in taking history. What are the urgent actions? Mohapatra said that first and foremost we need to take the urban myth out of our mind that rural customers are not willing to pay. He said that "rural customers are absolutely willing to pay if you get the right service at the right price. Today there is no knowledge arbitrage. They are as informed as you and me. They know what are the best services. What prices are available? You need to bring those high-quality services to them at the right price. They are willing to pay." "The other thing you need to do is build trust with them. You cannot do one camp and then disappear," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Future-ready for pandemics: How an Indian medtech startup is transforming rural healthcare

The trajectory of India's development in health and well-being from 1947 to 2023&nbsp;showcases a remarkable evolution. The nation's endeavours to tackle some of the deadliest diseases and enhance the quality of life for its citizens reflect a story of transformation and growth.

<h2>A triumph in death rate reduction</h2>

One of the most remarkable accomplishments India has achieved post-independence is the substantial reduction in death rate. In 1947, the average life expectancy for an Indian citizen was a mere 32 years.

Fast forward to 2023, and this figure has risen significantly to an impressive 70.19 years. This transformation, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), underscores the progress in human development.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india76-the-effect-of-jay-prakash-narayan-movement-623859">India Independence: The effect of Jay Prakash Narayan movement on the nation</a>

<h2>Infant mortality and child health: A striking improvement</h2>

The United Nations’ data sheds light on India's commendable strides in child health. The infant mortality rate, which stood at 145.6 per 1000 live births in 1947, has seen a remarkable improvement and dropped to 27.695 per 1000 live births in 2023. This splendid improvement underscores the nation’s commitment to ensuring a healthier start for its youngest citizens.

<h2>National initiatives and disease eradication</h2>

India's post-independence journey has been punctuated by the initiation of numerous national-level campaigns aimed at combatting various diseases. From AIDS to tuberculosis and malaria, the Indian government has championed initiatives that have not only saved lives but also demonstrated the nation's proactive approach to public health challenges.

Also watch |&nbsp;Kerala to be renamed Keralam: Why is Indian state govt making this move?

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<h2>Empowering health through national schemes</h2>

The launch of transformative schemes such as the National Health Mission and the National Rural Health Mission has bolstered India’s commitment to enhancing child and maternal health. These initiatives have played a pivotal role in ensuring accessible healthcare services and reducing health disparities across different regions of the country.

India's progress in the field of medical education is another testament to its journey of transformation. There were mere 28 medical colleges in the 1950s but the current count of 612 medical colleges speaks volumes about the nation's dedication to nurturing a skilled healthcare workforce.

India's evolution in the realm of health and development over the years serves as an inspiring example for developing nations across the globe.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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The trajectory of India's development in health and well-being from 1947 to 2023 showcases a remarkable evolution. The nation's endeavours to tackle some of the deadliest diseases and enhance the quality of life for its citizens reflect a story of transformation and growth.

The trajectory of India's development in health and well-being from 1947 to 2023 showcases a remarkable evolution. The nation's endeavours to tackle some of the deadliest diseases and enhance the quality of life for its citizens reflect a story of transformation and growth. A triumph in death rate reduction One of the most remarkable accomplishments India has achieved post-independence is the substantial reduction in death rate. In 1947, the average life expectancy for an Indian citizen was a mere 32 years. Fast forward to 2023, and this figure has risen significantly to an impressive 70.19 years. This transformation, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), underscores the progress in human development. Also read | India Independence: The effect of Jay Prakash Narayan movement on the nation Infant mortality and child health: A striking improvement The United Nations’ data sheds light on India's commendable strides in child health. The infant mortality rate, which stood at 145.6 per 1000 live births in 1947, has seen a remarkable improvement and dropped to 27.695 per 1000 live births in 2023. This splendid improvement underscores the nation’s commitment to ensuring a healthier start for its youngest citizens. National initiatives and disease eradication India's post-independence journey has been punctuated by the initiation of numerous national-level campaigns aimed at combatting various diseases. From AIDS to tuberculosis and malaria, the Indian government has championed initiatives that have not only saved lives but also demonstrated the nation's proactive approach to public health challenges. Also watch | Kerala to be renamed Keralam: Why is Indian state govt making this move? Empowering health through national schemes The launch of transformative schemes such as the National Health Mission and the National Rural Health Mission has bolstered India’s commitment to enhancing child and maternal health. These initiatives have played a pivotal role in ensuring accessible healthcare services and reducing health disparities across different regions of the country. India's progress in the field of medical education is another testament to its journey of transformation. There were mere 28 medical colleges in the 1950s but the current count of 612 medical colleges speaks volumes about the nation's dedication to nurturing a skilled healthcare workforce. India's evolution in the realm of health and development over the years serves as an inspiring example for developing nations across the globe. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India Independence | Evolution in health and development: A journey from 1947 to 2023

When you're not feeling very well you would most probably pay your doctor a visit. But what if your doctor is not a person but a technology? Artificial Intelligence has transformed the healthcare industry in many ways from screening to diagnosing. AI has reshaped the medical industry, but will you trust AI to be your doctor? As per statistics in 2022 the International Medical AI Market was valued at more than four billion dollars it is expected to grow by nearly a quarter annually over the next decade.

Should the AI doctor see you now?

Unable to afford modern medicine, many Iraqis are now turning towards natural remedies. They are taking these herb mixes for skin ailments to lifestyle diseases. Experts have cautioned over the trend, say their continuous use may cause more harm than good.

Iraqis forced the herbal medication way amid economic woes

Google recently launched its cutting-edge AI technology in health care making it possible to predict cardiovascular events by analysing eye scans. This breakthrough indicates a potential shift away from diagnostic techniques such as CT scans and MRIs.&nbsp; 
A few possible use cases of AI in healthcare are enhanced medical imaging and diagnostics, personalised treatment and precision medicine, accelerated drug discovery and development and telemedicine and remote patient monitoring. With AI's potential to revolutionise healthcare, it is imperative to examine not only the opportunities it presents but also the ethical, legal, and regulatory challenges that accompany its implementation.&nbsp; 
 
The problem 
 
While the integration of AI in healthcare holds tremendous promise, it also presents several challenges that need to be addressed for its successful implementation. Data security and ethics are number one on the list.&nbsp; 
 
The integration of AI, with its capacity to process vast amounts of personal health information, raises questions of patient privacy, consent, and data security. For example, the recently announced Google AI that can catch heart diseases by simply examining retinal scans used a medical dataset consisting of almost 300,000 patients in order to train their cardiovascular prediction algorithm research collaboration with a hospital located in Tamil Nadu. There are several ethical and regulatory questions in such use cases. Did the patients consent for their retinal data to be recorded and fed into an algorithm? Since retinal data is biometric, was their consent taken to store such sensitive biometric data? Was the AI designed ethically? 
 
What does the law say? 
 
Data security 
Under various data protection regimes globally such as EU’s GDPR or California’s (USA) CCPA, data is broadly divided into two categories: 
1.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Personal Data 
2.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Sensitive Personal Data (SPD) 
 
Data such as health records, sexual orientation, biometric data, genetic data, and political opinion, comes under the ambit of SPD which is regulated heavily in most international jurisdictions. Therefore, health data used to train an AI will undoubtedly qualify as SPD. The GDPR imposes strict requirements for the processing of SPD. It generally prohibits the processing of such data unless specific conditions, such as explicit consent or legal obligations, are met. The GDPR sets forth two levels of administrative fines on organisations: 
 
1.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Up to €10 million or 2% of the global annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher.&nbsp; 
2.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Up to €20 million or 4% of the global annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher.

India too recognises health data as SPD. However, in a world where the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has established global benchmarks for data protection, these rules alone fall short of meeting the required standards or imposing reasonable penalties.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/research-suggests-ai-can-predict-political-views-based-on-facial-analysis-raising-privacy-concerns-607232">ALSO READ| Research suggests AI can predict political views based on facial analysis, raising privacy concerns</a> 
 
The United States regulates Protected Health Information (PHI) with a specific act known as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law sets standards and rules for the protection of sensitive health information and ensures the privacy and security of individuals' PHI by healthcare professionals. The penalties for violation may go as high as 50,000 dollars per violation. 
&nbsp; 
So how does one train an AI with health data and how does one regulate it?&nbsp;One way is data aggregation which involves combining and anonymising health data from many people to create bigger datasets, making it difficult to identify specific individuals. Another is, data de-identification techniques, such as removing or encrypting personal information like names and addresses to prevent direct identification or using methods like replacing identifiers with pseudonyms or unique tokens before this data is entered into the AI database. 
 
The GDPR does not explicitly define anonymisation, but it acknowledges that anonymised data is outside the regulation's scope.&nbsp; 
 
India’s dream Digital Data Protection Bill (equivalent to EU’s GDPR) still is in limbo. The government has been engaging in a legislative dance, volleying the draft bill back and forth in revisions. If left unregulated any longer, practically, our most intimate health data can be accessible to large corporations without our consent or control. 
 
AI bias 
As patients entrust their well-being to AI systems, safeguards must be in place to prevent defective diagnoses and biased algorithms. For example, if a military health data source is utilised, the AI model is likely to generate limited insights about the female population due to the predominant representation of male service members. If left unchecked, AI systems can inherit and amplify the biases present in the data they are trained on. Biased algorithms in healthcare may lead to unequal access to treatments or misdiagnoses for certain populations, perpetuating inequities in care. 
 
In an actual case of UnitedHealth Group's Optum division in the US, by solely relying on past spending data without considering broader societal factors, the algorithm falsely equated the severity of illness for black patients with healthier white patients. As a result, the algorithm significantly underestimated the number of black patients in need of additional care, ultimately depriving them of necessary support. 
 
The European Union (EU) parliament members approved the world’s first Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) on June 14, 2023, which, if implemented, would be among the pioneering regulations introduced by a significant regulatory body to govern the field of AI. Article 6 of the EU AI Act read with Annexure II , categorises medical devices as ‘high risk’ which means high-risk AIs will be subjected to rigorous risk assessments and authoritative oversight. This act establishes obligations for both providers and users of high-risk AI systems, thereby subjecting hospitals and clinics utilising such AI devices to scrutiny.&nbsp; 
 
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has proposed a comprehensive five-year action plan aimed at regulating AI in healthcare . The plan includes the establishment of a regulatory framework for Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), guidelines for good machine learning practices, transparency requirements for users and patients, regulation of algorithm bias and robustness, and evaluation of real-world performance. As per the plan, the FDA will collaborate with research partners to develop methods for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating bias in AI/ML algorithms. 
 
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also released a guiding document titled "The Ethical Guidelines for Application of AI in Biomedical Research and Healthcare." (ICMR Framework) This comprehensive document is the only one framework existing in India that addresses AI in healthcare, however, this is only a guiding document and has no authority of law. 
 
AI also ‘hallucinates’ 
AI hallucinations can manifest when the AI attempts to respond to a prompt without possessing all the requisite information to provide an accurate answer. In such cases, it is not uncommon for the AI to fabricate information in order to fill the gaps and generate a response.&nbsp; 
 
Therefore, it is possible that AI can conjure up a diagnosis due to a lack of data, ultimately paving the way for an erroneous treatment plan. The stakes are high, for healthcare, such missteps can precipitate life-threatening outcomes. However, if an AI is trained on diverse data, and uses dropout techniques for training, it may lessen its ‘hallucination’ tendencies. 
 
Who’s liable? Although it will depend on the terms of service or specific organisation contracts with the technology company offering such AI services, generally, the organisation using the AI maybe held liable in case AI makes such mistakes. AI development frameworks worldwide such as OECD AI Principles, World Economic Forum, AI Governance Framework all advocate for ‘transparent’, ‘accountable’ AI development which involves openly communicating design, training data, validation, and incorporating diverse perspectives to minimise biases and problems such as ‘hallucinations’.&nbsp; 
 
Globally, jurisdictions are struggling to regulate AI. While frameworks and guidelines are welcome, the need for an authoritative law such as the EU AI Act is ever more pressing. Because, in the realm of smart medicine, the stakes are too high for complacency. 
 
(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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Google recently launched its cutting-edge AI technology in health care making it possible to predict cardiovascular events by analysing eye scans. This breakthrough indicates a potential shift away from diagnostic techniques such as CT scans and MRIs.

Google recently launched its cutting-edge AI technology in health care making it possible to predict cardiovascular events by analysing eye scans. This breakthrough indicates a potential shift away from diagnostic techniques such as CT scans and MRIs. A few possible use cases of AI in healthcare are enhanced medical imaging and diagnostics, personalised treatment and precision medicine, accelerated drug discovery and development and telemedicine and remote patient monitoring. With AI's potential to revolutionise healthcare, it is imperative to examine not only the opportunities it presents but also the ethical, legal, and regulatory challenges that accompany its implementation. The problem While the integration of AI in healthcare holds tremendous promise, it also presents several challenges that need to be addressed for its successful implementation. Data security and ethics are number one on the list. The integration of AI, with its capacity to process vast amounts of personal health information, raises questions of patient privacy, consent, and data security. For example, the recently announced Google AI that can catch heart diseases by simply examining retinal scans used a medical dataset consisting of almost 300,000 patients in order to train their cardiovascular prediction algorithm research collaboration with a hospital located in Tamil Nadu. There are several ethical and regulatory questions in such use cases. Did the patients consent for their retinal data to be recorded and fed into an algorithm? Since retinal data is biometric, was their consent taken to store such sensitive biometric data? Was the AI designed ethically? What does the law say? Data security Under various data protection regimes globally such as EU’s GDPR or California’s (USA) CCPA, data is broadly divided into two categories: 1. Personal Data 2. Sensitive Personal Data (SPD) Data such as health records, sexual orientation, biometric data, genetic data, and political opinion, comes under the ambit of SPD which is regulated heavily in most international jurisdictions. Therefore, health data used to train an AI will undoubtedly qualify as SPD. The GDPR imposes strict requirements for the processing of SPD. It generally prohibits the processing of such data unless specific conditions, such as explicit consent or legal obligations, are met. The GDPR sets forth two levels of administrative fines on organisations: 1. Up to €10 million or 2% of the global annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher. 2. Up to €20 million or 4% of the global annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher. India too recognises health data as SPD. However, in a world where the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has established global benchmarks for data protection, these rules alone fall short of meeting the required standards or imposing reasonable penalties. ALSO READ| Research suggests AI can predict political views based on facial analysis, raising privacy concerns The United States regulates Protected Health Information (PHI) with a specific act known as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law sets standards and rules for the protection of sensitive health information and ensures the privacy and security of individuals' PHI by healthcare professionals. The penalties for violation may go as high as 50,000 dollars per violation. So how does one train an AI with health data and how does one regulate it? One way is data aggregation which involves combining and anonymising health data from many people to create bigger datasets, making it difficult to identify specific individuals. Another is, data de-identification techniques, such as removing or encrypting personal information like names and addresses to prevent direct identification or using methods like replacing identifiers with pseudonyms or unique tokens before this data is entered into the AI database. The GDPR does not explicitly define anonymisation, but it acknowledges that anonymised data is outside the regulation's scope. India’s dream Digital Data Protection Bill (equivalent to EU’s GDPR) still is in limbo. The government has been engaging in a legislative dance, volleying the draft bill back and forth in revisions. If left unregulated any longer, practically, our most intimate health data can be accessible to large corporations without our consent or control. AI bias As patients entrust their well-being to AI systems, safeguards must be in place to prevent defective diagnoses and biased algorithms. For example, if a military health data source is utilised, the AI model is likely to generate limited insights about the female population due to the predominant representation of male service members. If left unchecked, AI systems can inherit and amplify the biases present in the data they are trained on. Biased algorithms in healthcare may lead to unequal access to treatments or misdiagnoses for certain populations, perpetuating inequities in care. In an actual case of UnitedHealth Group's Optum division in the US, by solely relying on past spending data without considering broader societal factors, the algorithm falsely equated the severity of illness for black patients with healthier white patients. As a result, the algorithm significantly underestimated the number of black patients in need of additional care, ultimately depriving them of necessary support. The European Union (EU) parliament members approved the world’s first Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) on June 14, 2023, which, if implemented, would be among the pioneering regulations introduced by a significant regulatory body to govern the field of AI. Article 6 of the EU AI Act read with Annexure II , categorises medical devices as ‘high risk’ which means high-risk AIs will be subjected to rigorous risk assessments and authoritative oversight. This act establishes obligations for both providers and users of high-risk AI systems, thereby subjecting hospitals and clinics utilising such AI devices to scrutiny. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has proposed a comprehensive five-year action plan aimed at regulating AI in healthcare . The plan includes the establishment of a regulatory framework for Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), guidelines for good machine learning practices, transparency requirements for users and patients, regulation of algorithm bias and robustness, and evaluation of real-world performance. As per the plan, the FDA will collaborate with research partners to develop methods for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating bias in AI/ML algorithms. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also released a guiding document titled "The Ethical Guidelines for Application of AI in Biomedical Research and Healthcare." (ICMR Framework) This comprehensive document is the only one framework existing in India that addresses AI in healthcare, however, this is only a guiding document and has no authority of law. AI also ‘hallucinates’ AI hallucinations can manifest when the AI attempts to respond to a prompt without possessing all the requisite information to provide an accurate answer. In such cases, it is not uncommon for the AI to fabricate information in order to fill the gaps and generate a response. Therefore, it is possible that AI can conjure up a diagnosis due to a lack of data, ultimately paving the way for an erroneous treatment plan. The stakes are high, for healthcare, such missteps can precipitate life-threatening outcomes. However, if an AI is trained on diverse data, and uses dropout techniques for training, it may lessen its ‘hallucination’ tendencies. Who’s liable? Although it will depend on the terms of service or specific organisation contracts with the technology company offering such AI services, generally, the organisation using the AI maybe held liable in case AI makes such mistakes. AI development frameworks worldwide such as OECD AI Principles, World Economic Forum, AI Governance Framework all advocate for ‘transparent’, ‘accountable’ AI development which involves openly communicating design, training data, validation, and incorporating diverse perspectives to minimise biases and problems such as ‘hallucinations’. Globally, jurisdictions are struggling to regulate AI. While frameworks and guidelines are welcome, the need for an authoritative law such as the EU AI Act is ever more pressing. Because, in the realm of smart medicine, the stakes are too high for complacency. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Doctor AI will see you now: Navigating the ethics of smart medicine

There is now a shortage&nbsp;of cancer medicines in the United States.&nbsp;It has gotten to the point that some treatment facilities have had to substitute patients' medications and, in some cases, even postpone treatment.

<h2>Why is this shortage? What are the consequences?</h2>

As per&nbsp;NBC reports, over a dozen medications have been witnessing limited supply in the United States in recent months.&nbsp;These include the anticancer drugs carboplatin and cisplatin, which are commonly used to treat non-small-cell lung cancer as well as testicular, gynecologic, breast, bladder, head, and neck malignancies.&nbsp;Around 10-20 per cent&nbsp;of all cancer patients are treated with cisplatin and similar medications, as reported by the NBC.

As per&nbsp;a study conducted by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network last month, carboplatin and cisplatin were in insufficient supply at almost all of the centres.

A California cancer patient who was denied&nbsp;access to cisplatin in April by his insurance provider cited the major scarcity in a Financial Times interview.

"Currently, cisplatin is only permitted for malignancies that can be cured." Michael Griffith, a 51-year-old father of three, explained that his disease is incurable.&nbsp;"Thus I am not currently eligible for it," he said.

As per&nbsp;the University of Utah Drug Information Service, which was cited by CNN, about 20 chemo medicines were difficult to procure&nbsp;by the end of March.

The CEO of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Dr&nbsp;Robert Carlson, was reported by CNN as stating, "This is an untenable scenario. We are hearing from oncologists and chemists all throughout the nation who are currently rushing to discover suitable options for treating their cancer patients."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/oral-sex-emerges-as-major-risk-factor-for-throat-cancer-claims-study-587149">Oral sex emerges as major risk factor for throat cancer, claims study</a>

More than a third of cancer centres with carboplatin shortages claimed they were unable to treat every patient using the recommended dose and timing.

“We were relieved by survey results that show patients are still able to get life-saving care, but it comes at a burden to our overtaxed medical facilities,” Carlson told CNN.

“We need to work together to improve the current situation and prevent it from happening again in the future,” he explained .&nbsp;

<h2>Ramifications of switching cancer medicines</h2>

Switching cancer medications has actual ramifications.&nbsp;According to Jennifer Rubatt, an oncology specialist in Denver, Colorado, "In late April and May, I had to make drug substitutions for newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients because we did not have the sort of first-choice drugs available," she stated in an interview with the Financial Times.

In the words of Mike Ganio, a researcher at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists who focuses on drug shortages, the issue began to emerge earlier this year.

“I think it went from being a shortage to being a really bad shortage really quickly,” he told the Associated Press.

A facility in India that manufactures both medications halted production after an inspection revealed quality issues, prompting Ganio's organisation to notify the lack of cisplatin in January and the shortfall of carboplatin in late March.

The producer Intas Pharmaceuticals provides around half of the market share for cisplatin, according to Erin Fox, senior pharmacy director at University of Utah Health and an expert on medication shortages.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/long-covid-patients-have-lower-quality-of-life-than-those-with-cancer-parkinsons-disease-study-602160">Long Covid patients have lower quality of life than those with cancer, Parkinson’s disease: Study</a>

<h2>What's the consequence?</h2>

In an effort to address the chemotherapeutic shortage, the US Food and Drug Administration has taken some action.

The organisation is permitting the temporary importation of select cisplatin formulations that have received foreign approval from businesses that have registered with the FDA.

The FDA has authorised cisplatin maker Qilu Pharmaceutical to ship the medication to the United States, according to CNBC.

As per&nbsp;NBC reports, the medication, which comes in 50-milligram bottles, will be exported to the US and distributed by Qilu and Canadian pharmaceutical company Apotex.

The End Drug Shortages Alliance's board chair, Eric Tichy, was reported by the publication as calling this a "good plan."

"It will hopefully help more patients access product and not have their treatments delayed," Fox told USA Today.

FDA commissioner Dr Robert Califf tweeted, “​​The public should rest assured that we will continue all efforts within our authority to help the industry that manufactures and distributes these drugs meet all patient needs for the oncology drugs impacted by shortages.”

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Study: Yoga cuts the risk of Cancer spreading in the body

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The facility in India has to be brought back up to full output, according to Ganio, who added that while that should assist.

Intas received a letter last week from the US Food and Drug Administration permitting it to continue delivering a number of medications, including cisplatin and carboplatin, according to USA Today.

FDA says&nbsp;Intas will be required to conduct independent product testing and reviews.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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There is now a shortage of cancer medicines in the United States. It has gotten to the point that some treatment facilities have had to substitute patients' medications and, in some cases, even postpone treatment.

There is now a shortage of cancer medicines in the United States. It has gotten to the point that some treatment facilities have had to substitute patients' medications and, in some cases, even postpone treatment. Why is this shortage? What are the consequences? As per NBC reports, over a dozen medications have been witnessing limited supply in the United States in recent months. These include the anticancer drugs carboplatin and cisplatin, which are commonly used to treat non-small-cell lung cancer as well as testicular, gynecologic, breast, bladder, head, and neck malignancies. Around 10-20 per cent of all cancer patients are treated with cisplatin and similar medications, as reported by the NBC. As per a study conducted by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network last month, carboplatin and cisplatin were in insufficient supply at almost all of the centres. A California cancer patient who was denied access to cisplatin in April by his insurance provider cited the major scarcity in a Financial Times interview. "Currently, cisplatin is only permitted for malignancies that can be cured." Michael Griffith, a 51-year-old father of three, explained that his disease is incurable. "Thus I am not currently eligible for it," he said. As per the University of Utah Drug Information Service, which was cited by CNN, about 20 chemo medicines were difficult to procure by the end of March. The CEO of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Dr Robert Carlson, was reported by CNN as stating, "This is an untenable scenario. We are hearing from oncologists and chemists all throughout the nation who are currently rushing to discover suitable options for treating their cancer patients." Also read | Oral sex emerges as major risk factor for throat cancer, claims study More than a third of cancer centres with carboplatin shortages claimed they were unable to treat every patient using the recommended dose and timing. “We were relieved by survey results that show patients are still able to get life-saving care, but it comes at a burden to our overtaxed medical facilities,” Carlson told CNN. “We need to work together to improve the current situation and prevent it from happening again in the future,” he explained . Ramifications of switching cancer medicines Switching cancer medications has actual ramifications. According to Jennifer Rubatt, an oncology specialist in Denver, Colorado, "In late April and May, I had to make drug substitutions for newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients because we did not have the sort of first-choice drugs available," she stated in an interview with the Financial Times. In the words of Mike Ganio, a researcher at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists who focuses on drug shortages, the issue began to emerge earlier this year. “I think it went from being a shortage to being a really bad shortage really quickly,” he told the Associated Press. A facility in India that manufactures both medications halted production after an inspection revealed quality issues, prompting Ganio's organisation to notify the lack of cisplatin in January and the shortfall of carboplatin in late March. The producer Intas Pharmaceuticals provides around half of the market share for cisplatin, according to Erin Fox, senior pharmacy director at University of Utah Health and an expert on medication shortages. Also read | Long Covid patients have lower quality of life than those with cancer, Parkinson’s disease: Study What's the consequence? In an effort to address the chemotherapeutic shortage, the US Food and Drug Administration has taken some action. The organisation is permitting the temporary importation of select cisplatin formulations that have received foreign approval from businesses that have registered with the FDA. The FDA has authorised cisplatin maker Qilu Pharmaceutical to ship the medication to the United States, according to CNBC. As per NBC reports, the medication, which comes in 50-milligram bottles, will be exported to the US and distributed by Qilu and Canadian pharmaceutical company Apotex. The End Drug Shortages Alliance's board chair, Eric Tichy, was reported by the publication as calling this a "good plan." "It will hopefully help more patients access product and not have their treatments delayed," Fox told USA Today. FDA commissioner Dr Robert Califf tweeted, “The public should rest assured that we will continue all efforts within our authority to help the industry that manufactures and distributes these drugs meet all patient needs for the oncology drugs impacted by shortages.” Also watch | Gravitas | Study: Yoga cuts the risk of Cancer spreading in the body The facility in India has to be brought back up to full output, according to Ganio, who added that while that should assist. Intas received a letter last week from the US Food and Drug Administration permitting it to continue delivering a number of medications, including cisplatin and carboplatin, according to USA Today. FDA says Intas will be required to conduct independent product testing and reviews. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained: US faces acute shortage of cancer medication, what are its ramifications?

This is a WION digital series that will tell you the world's biggest stories from the lens of a common man. In this episode we look at the never-ending crisis of UK's NHS. With 7.4 million, the waiting list for the National Health Service is at a record high. What led to today's crisis and how is the Rishi Sunak government going to tackle it? Ananya Dutta brings you The Witness.

UK residents pay with waiting list for free healthcare | The Witness

India witnessed 1,787 cyber-attacks each week on an average in an organisation over the past six months, compared to the global average of 983, as per an <a href="https://go.checkpoint.com/2023-cyber-security-report/chapter-03.php">analysis </a>by Check Point Software Technologies, an American-Israeli cyber threat intelligence analyst.

The latest cyber-attack on India’s premier&nbsp;medical institution, the All India Institute of Medical Science&nbsp;(AIIMS), New Delhi,&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aiims-says-malware-attack-successfully-thwarted-by-cyber-security-systems-601396">second such attack in a row</a> has rekindled discussion over India's&nbsp;preparedness&nbsp;to deal with attacks of the given nature.&nbsp;AIIMS in a statement released on Monday (June 5) said the attempt of malware attack was successfully thwarted and the threat was neutralised in time. But, the bigger questions of India's vulnerability, vigilance and digitalisation still remain unanswered.&nbsp;

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<h2 dir="ltr">Why is India being targetted?</h2>

Cyber-attacks are frequently directed towards India due to its large population and expanding internet user base, resulting in a substantial attack surface, explains Dr Ananth Prabhu G, cyber law and security expert for various Indian law enforcement agencies.

“The country's economic progress and digital modernisation have led to increased digitisation in various sectors, which has caught the attention of cyber-criminals who seek financial benefits and access to sensitive data. Additionally, India's global prominence and intricate political and geopolitical relationships make it a prime target for attacks motivated by politics, espionage, or the disruption of critical infrastructure. Government initiatives and the collection of vast amounts of personal data have made the systems enticing targets,” he told WION.

<h2 dir="ltr">India’s healthcare sector a constant target? Why is health-related data so critical?</h2>

A nationwide initiative to <a href="https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/17739294021483341357.pdf">digitise medical data</a> was launched in September 2021, and as of now, more than 173,000 hospitals have enrolled with it. In accordance with medical records kept by hospitals on their own servers or in cloud storage, the programme allocates patient numbers that are linked to those records.&nbsp;

“Healthcare data is a prime target for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhis-bigest-cyber-fraud-doctor-duped-of-rs-45-crore-548k-via-skype-calls-594502">cyber-criminals</a> due to its immense value and inherent vulnerabilities. Firstly, healthcare data contains a plethora of sensitive information that can be exploited for illicit purposes. Personally identifiable information (PII) like names, addresses, Aadhar, and insurance details can be illicitly traded on the black market for identity theft or used in fraudulent financial activities. Furthermore, medical records and health information hold significant worth as they can be leveraged for fraudulent billing, acquiring prescription drugs, or even extorting individuals with sensitive health conditions. The high value attached to healthcare data makes it an enticing objective for cyber-criminals seeking financial gain or other malicious intentions,” explains Dr Prabhu G.

He further adds that healthcare systems are “particularly appealing” to hackers because they often possess weaker security measures compared to other industries. The healthcare sector traditionally prioritises patient care and operational efficiency over robust cybersecurity, leaving vulnerabilities that cyber-criminals can exploit. Outdated software, legacy systems, and inadequate investments in cyber security infrastructure render healthcare organisations more susceptible to attacks.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Second malware attack at AIIMS, New Delhi&nbsp;

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<h2 dir="ltr">Digitalisation and the risk of cyber-crimes</h2>

As per industry estimates, 2022 was India's worst year to date for cyber-attacks, an issue that has only become worse with rising digitalisation.

“The process of digitalisation heightens the vulnerability to cyber crime as it expands the attack surface through interconnected systems, adds complexity to IT infrastructure, involves the accumulation of valuable data, increases connectivity, and witnesses the continuous evolution of cyber threats. This combination of factors grants cybercriminals numerous avenues to exploit weaknesses, pilfer sensitive information, disrupt operations, and inflict financial and reputational harm,” Dr Prabhu G said.&nbsp;

<h2>Way forward</h2>

Technology usage is accelerating, which will lead to an increase in cyber-attack frequency and intensity. How can organisations curb the risk of a cyber-attack in that case?

“To bridge the gap and address the challenges posed by cyber-crime, it is essential to enhance collaboration between government agencies, private sector organisations, and cyber-security experts, while also prioritising robust cyber-security measures, education and training programmes, adequate resources and investment, legislation and regulation, international cooperation, continuous monitoring and incident response capabilities, and specific cyber-security awareness initiatives in sectors like healthcare. By taking these comprehensive steps, we can work towards a safer digital landscape, mitigate cyber threats, protect sensitive data, and foster a collective defence against cyber-criminals,” Dr Prabhu G explains.&nbsp;

The most significant issue, notwithstanding India's security measures, is the ability of the criminals to penetrate the Indian cyber-security system, regardless of whether or not these attacks result in data or financial loss. Therefore, it is imperative to implement the <a href="https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/DIA_Presentation%2009.03.2023%20Final.pdf">digital India Act</a>.

 
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India witnessed 1,787 cyber-attacks each week on an average in an organisation over the past six months, compared to the global average of 983, as per an analysis by Check Point Software Technologies, an American-Israeli cyber threat intelligence analyst.

India witnessed 1,787 cyber-attacks each week on an average in an organisation over the past six months, compared to the global average of 983, as per an analysis by Check Point Software Technologies, an American-Israeli cyber threat intelligence analyst. The latest cyber-attack on India’s premier medical institution, the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi, the second such attack in a row has rekindled discussion over India's preparedness to deal with attacks of the given nature. AIIMS in a statement released on Monday (June 5) said the attempt of malware attack was successfully thwarted and the threat was neutralised in time. But, the bigger questions of India's vulnerability, vigilance and digitalisation still remain unanswered. × Why is India being targetted? Cyber-attacks are frequently directed towards India due to its large population and expanding internet user base, resulting in a substantial attack surface, explains Dr Ananth Prabhu G, cyber law and security expert for various Indian law enforcement agencies. “The country's economic progress and digital modernisation have led to increased digitisation in various sectors, which has caught the attention of cyber-criminals who seek financial benefits and access to sensitive data. Additionally, India's global prominence and intricate political and geopolitical relationships make it a prime target for attacks motivated by politics, espionage, or the disruption of critical infrastructure. Government initiatives and the collection of vast amounts of personal data have made the systems enticing targets,” he told WION. India’s healthcare sector a constant target? Why is health-related data so critical? A nationwide initiative to digitise medical data was launched in September 2021, and as of now, more than 173,000 hospitals have enrolled with it. In accordance with medical records kept by hospitals on their own servers or in cloud storage, the programme allocates patient numbers that are linked to those records. “Healthcare data is a prime target for cyber-criminals due to its immense value and inherent vulnerabilities. Firstly, healthcare data contains a plethora of sensitive information that can be exploited for illicit purposes. Personally identifiable information (PII) like names, addresses, Aadhar, and insurance details can be illicitly traded on the black market for identity theft or used in fraudulent financial activities. Furthermore, medical records and health information hold significant worth as they can be leveraged for fraudulent billing, acquiring prescription drugs, or even extorting individuals with sensitive health conditions. The high value attached to healthcare data makes it an enticing objective for cyber-criminals seeking financial gain or other malicious intentions,” explains Dr Prabhu G. He further adds that healthcare systems are “particularly appealing” to hackers because they often possess weaker security measures compared to other industries. The healthcare sector traditionally prioritises patient care and operational efficiency over robust cybersecurity, leaving vulnerabilities that cyber-criminals can exploit. Outdated software, legacy systems, and inadequate investments in cyber security infrastructure render healthcare organisations more susceptible to attacks. Also watch | Second malware attack at AIIMS, New Delhi Digitalisation and the risk of cyber-crimes As per industry estimates, 2022 was India's worst year to date for cyber-attacks, an issue that has only become worse with rising digitalisation. “The process of digitalisation heightens the vulnerability to cyber crime as it expands the attack surface through interconnected systems, adds complexity to IT infrastructure, involves the accumulation of valuable data, increases connectivity, and witnesses the continuous evolution of cyber threats. This combination of factors grants cybercriminals numerous avenues to exploit weaknesses, pilfer sensitive information, disrupt operations, and inflict financial and reputational harm,” Dr Prabhu G said. Way forward Technology usage is accelerating, which will lead to an increase in cyber-attack frequency and intensity. How can organisations curb the risk of a cyber-attack in that case? “To bridge the gap and address the challenges posed by cyber-crime, it is essential to enhance collaboration between government agencies, private sector organisations, and cyber-security experts, while also prioritising robust cyber-security measures, education and training programmes, adequate resources and investment, legislation and regulation, international cooperation, continuous monitoring and incident response capabilities, and specific cyber-security awareness initiatives in sectors like healthcare. By taking these comprehensive steps, we can work towards a safer digital landscape, mitigate cyber threats, protect sensitive data, and foster a collective defence against cyber-criminals,” Dr Prabhu G explains. The most significant issue, notwithstanding India's security measures, is the ability of the criminals to penetrate the Indian cyber-security system, regardless of whether or not these attacks result in data or financial loss. Therefore, it is imperative to implement the digital India Act. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | Digital India and the need to beef up cyber-security in healthcare

More than 800 million people worldwide are likely to suffer from lower back pain by 2050, which is a 36 per cent increase from the year 2020, as per the 'Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021’ study. Take a look.

Over 800 million people likely to suffer from back pain by 2050 worldwide: Study

The Indian healthcare sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors. It has been at the epicentre since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. From technological advancements to geographical expansion, the healthcare sector is witnessing growth. There is, however, a void in India's medical devices industry. As per estimates, 80–85 per cent of medical devices currently sold in India are imported. India’s dependency on imported medical devices has grown to an 'alarming' level.

What is India's National Medical Devices Policy 2023?

Many believe that AI would be a game-changer in how we diagnose, monitor and treat patients. But the table seemed to have turned - the World Health Organisation has now highlighted concerns around the risks of utilising AI technology in healthcare.

Rise of AI in healthcare: AI a game-changer or potential risk? | World DNA

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Tuesday filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to block Amgen Inc.'s proposed $27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics Plc. The US trade regulator has alleged&nbsp;that the merger would create a monopoly for medications treating thyroid eye disease and chronic refractory gout, hampering competition and potentially leading to higher drug prices.

According to the sealed complaint filed in Illinois Federal Court, the acquisition would allow Amgen to further solidify Horizon's dominant position in the market. The FTC's complaint has&nbsp;sought&nbsp;an injunction to halt the merger until the commission could&nbsp;proceed with an in-house trial to determine whether the proposed deal violates&nbsp;antitrust law.

While opposing Amgen's billion-dollar deal, FTC's Competition Bureau Director&nbsp;Holly Vedova&nbsp;has emphasised the need for preventing pharmaceutical companies&nbsp;from consolidating&nbsp;monopolies.&nbsp;“Rampant consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry has given powerful companies a pass to exorbitantly hike prescription drug prices, deny patients access to more affordable generics, and hamstring innovation in life-saving markets,” Bloomberg quoted Vedova as saying.&nbsp;

Amgen, however, has countered FTC's allegations, stating that the claim of a potential 'multiproduct discount' was speculative and did not align with the competitive dynamics of the real world, a Bloomberg report noted. Horizon Therapeutics has also issued a statement, denying claims made&nbsp;by the US trade regulator.&nbsp;

'Multiproduct discount' is a monopolistic practice&nbsp;often frowned upon by the market. While it gives multiple products in one bundle at cheaper rates, this practice often&nbsp;forces smaller competitors to exit the market in the long run.&nbsp;

FTC vs. Big Pharma&nbsp;

This lawsuit marks the first time since 2009 that the FTC has taken legal action to prevent a pharmaceutical merger. In the past, the agency typically allowed mergers to proceed on the condition that the companies divested any overlapping treatments. However, under the leadership of Lina Khan, the US trade regulator has adopted a more stringent approach, challenging high-profile deals such as Microsoft Corp.'s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. and Intercontinental Exchange Inc.'s purchase of Black Knight Inc, a mortgage software rival.

Amgen, a prominent player in the pharmaceutical industry with 27 approved drugs, including popular treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, now faces scrutiny over its acquisition strategy. On the other hand, Horizon Therapeutics distributes 11 drug products in the US, including Tepezza, which is used to treat thyroid eye disease, and Krystexxa, a medication&nbsp;for chronic refractory gout. These medications currently enjoy a lack of competition in the market, generating significant revenue for Horizon in 2022 — $1.97 billion for Tepezza and $716 million for Krystexxa, as reported in company filings.

Under the Biden administration, the regulator&nbsp;has closely examined mergers, conduct, and pricing practices within the hospital, physician practice, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors. Its scrutiny has resulted in five hospitals abandoning their merger plans&nbsp;in the past two years. Additionally, the FTC has launched investigations into pharmaceutical benefit managers like Cigna Group's Express Scripts and CVS Health Corp.'s Caremark to explore their potential role in driving up drug prices.

(With agency inputs)&nbsp;

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Tuesday filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to block Amgen Inc.'s proposed $27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics Plc.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Tuesday filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to block Amgen Inc.'s proposed $27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics Plc. The US trade regulator has alleged that the merger would create a monopoly for medications treating thyroid eye disease and chronic refractory gout, hampering competition and potentially leading to higher drug prices. According to the sealed complaint filed in Illinois Federal Court, the acquisition would allow Amgen to further solidify Horizon's dominant position in the market. The FTC's complaint has sought an injunction to halt the merger until the commission could proceed with an in-house trial to determine whether the proposed deal violates antitrust law. While opposing Amgen's billion-dollar deal, FTC's Competition Bureau Director Holly Vedova has emphasised the need for preventing pharmaceutical companies from consolidating monopolies. “Rampant consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry has given powerful companies a pass to exorbitantly hike prescription drug prices, deny patients access to more affordable generics, and hamstring innovation in life-saving markets,” Bloomberg quoted Vedova as saying. Amgen, however, has countered FTC's allegations, stating that the claim of a potential 'multiproduct discount' was speculative and did not align with the competitive dynamics of the real world, a Bloomberg report noted. Horizon Therapeutics has also issued a statement, denying claims made by the US trade regulator. 'Multiproduct discount' is a monopolistic practice often frowned upon by the market. While it gives multiple products in one bundle at cheaper rates, this practice often forces smaller competitors to exit the market in the long run. FTC vs. Big Pharma This lawsuit marks the first time since 2009 that the FTC has taken legal action to prevent a pharmaceutical merger. In the past, the agency typically allowed mergers to proceed on the condition that the companies divested any overlapping treatments. However, under the leadership of Lina Khan, the US trade regulator has adopted a more stringent approach, challenging high-profile deals such as Microsoft Corp.'s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. and Intercontinental Exchange Inc.'s purchase of Black Knight Inc, a mortgage software rival. Amgen, a prominent player in the pharmaceutical industry with 27 approved drugs, including popular treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, now faces scrutiny over its acquisition strategy. On the other hand, Horizon Therapeutics distributes 11 drug products in the US, including Tepezza, which is used to treat thyroid eye disease, and Krystexxa, a medication for chronic refractory gout. These medications currently enjoy a lack of competition in the market, generating significant revenue for Horizon in 2022 — $1.97 billion for Tepezza and $716 million for Krystexxa, as reported in company filings. Under the Biden administration, the regulator has closely examined mergers, conduct, and pricing practices within the hospital, physician practice, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors. Its scrutiny has resulted in five hospitals abandoning their merger plans in the past two years. Additionally, the FTC has launched investigations into pharmaceutical benefit managers like Cigna Group's Express Scripts and CVS Health Corp.'s Caremark to explore their potential role in driving up drug prices. (With agency inputs)

US trade regulator wants to block Amgen's $28 billion deal on hold. Here's why

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