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India, France Inaugurate Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS Delhi

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In a major step to deepen bilateral cooperation in healthcare and emerging technologies, Union Health Minister JP Nadda and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IFCAIH) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The newly launched centre is envisioned as a pioneering platform to accelerate AI-driven research, strengthen medical education, and promote clinical innovation. According to official sources, the IFCAIH aims to tackle complex healthcare challenges while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between Indian and French institutions. Addressing the gathering, President Macron underlined the importance of developing sovereign AI capabilities. He stressed that India and France must build their own computing capacity and skilled talent to create trusted AI systems, rather than relying entirely on technologies developed elsewhere. He added that artificial intelligence must serve humanity, with strong safeguards for children, algorithmic transparency to reduce bias, and a commitment to preserving linguistic and cultural diversity. The launch of the centre coincided with the Rencontres Universitaires et Scientifiques de Haut Niveau (RUSH) 2026, a high-level academic and scientific forum organised at AIIMS on February 18 and 19 by the French Embassy. A key session titled “Indo-French Forum: AI in Brain Health and Global Healthcare” brought together scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and academic leaders from both nations to explore collaborative solutions in global health. The IFCAIH has been established under a joint Memorandum of Understanding between AIIMS, Sorbonne University, and Paris Brain Institute, with additional collaboration from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and other leading French institutions. The initiative builds upon ongoing India-France cooperation in priority areas such as digital health, antimicrobial resistance, human resources for health, and the responsible use of health data. As part of the RUSH 2026 programme, President Macron engaged with young Indian innovators, including Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Manan Suri, during an interactive session moderated by Clara Chappaz, spotlighting youth-led innovation and cross-border AI collaboration. The event also featured a special segment at the Jawaharlal Auditorium highlighting major scientific and academic cooperation milestones between France and India. Moderated by Prof. Vijay Raghavan and Dr. Thierry Coulhon, Chairmen of RUSH, the session showcased expanding partnerships in higher education, research, and innovation. Union Minister JP Nadda reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening AI-enabled healthcare collaboration with France, noting that the new centre will serve as a catalyst for innovation, capacity building, and global knowledge exchange. President Macron later posted on X that France and India are mobilising AI for research, training, and innovation for the common good, reinforcing the shared vision of ethical, inclusive, and globally beneficial AI in healthcare. Source: ANI

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IIT Delhi Introduces Executive Programme in Healthcare Entrepreneurship and Management

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The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has rolled out a new executive programme focused on healthcare entrepreneurship and management, aimed at nurturing professionals who can drive innovation in India’s rapidly evolving healthcare sector. The programme will be conducted under IIT Delhi’s Continuing Education Programme (CEP), a statutory body authorised to run certificate courses and award credentials. According to IIT Delhi, the initiative is designed to equip participants with the skills and mindset required to navigate and shape the future of healthcare innovation. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree, while prior professional experience or exposure to projects in related domains will be considered an added advantage. The five-month programme will be delivered through live online classes held on weekends, complemented by dedicated hours for project work. The institute noted that India’s healthcare ecosystem is witnessing transformative changes, driven by the rise of digital health solutions, medical devices, artificial intelligence–enabled diagnostics, wearable technologies and a stronger focus on patient-centric care. However, persistent challenges such as fragmented service delivery, regulatory hurdles, limited commercialisation avenues and the demand for cross-disciplinary leadership continue to affect the sector. Against this backdrop, the executive programme aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the entire healthcare innovation lifecycle. Through interactive online sessions and guided projects, participants will learn how to identify healthcare challenges and translate them into viable, market-ready solutions using design thinking, prototyping, testing and sound commercial strategies. The programme will be anchored by IIT Delhi’s Centre for Biomedical Engineering and supported by clinical expertise from specialists at AIIMS Delhi. Faculty members including Dr Arnab Chanda and Dr Biswarup Mukherjee will lead the sessions, integrating engineering, clinical practice, management and entrepreneurship to foster practical and scalable healthcare innovations. A major feature of the course is its strong emphasis on project-based learning. Participants will work on real-world healthcare problems, developing deployable prototypes with the help of structured mentoring, peer collaboration and continuous expert feedback. On successful completion, learners will receive an e-certificate from CEP, IIT Delhi, and gain access to a network of IIT Delhi faculty, AIIMS clinicians and industry professionals, enhancing both learning outcomes and professional opportunities. Source: Indian Express

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Wearable Health Tech: How Smart Devices Are Changing Preventive Care

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Preventive healthcare is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation, driven by the rapid rise of wearable health technology. Devices that were once seen as simple fitness accessories have evolved into sophisticated health companions capable of tracking vital signs, detecting early warning signals, and encouraging healthier lifestyles. As healthcare shifts from treating illness to preventing it, wearable technology is playing a central role in empowering individuals and supporting more proactive, data-driven care. The Shift from Fitness Tracking to Health Monitoring Wearable health devices initially gained popularity for tracking steps, calories burned, and workout routines. Over time, advances in sensor technology, data analytics, and connectivity have expanded their capabilities far beyond fitness. Today’s smartwatches, rings, patches, and bands can monitor heart rate, heart rhythm, blood oxygen levels, sleep quality, physical activity, and stress levels throughout the day. This evolution has made wearables relevant not just to fitness enthusiasts but also to individuals managing chronic conditions, older adults focused on healthy ageing, and people seeking to improve overall well-being. Wearables now serve as everyday health monitors rather than occasional wellness tools. Continuous Monitoring and Real-Time Insights One of the most significant advantages of wearable health technology is continuous monitoring. Traditional healthcare relies on periodic checkups that capture health data at a single point in time. Wearables, by contrast, collect information around the clock, offering a more complete picture of how the body responds to daily activities, stress, sleep, and lifestyle choices. By identifying patterns and deviations from normal ranges, wearables can highlight early signs of potential health concerns. Subtle changes in heart rate, sleep quality, or oxygen levels may signal fatigue, infection, or cardiovascular stress before noticeable symptoms appear. This constant flow of information enables timely action and encourages preventive care rather than delayed treatment. Early Detection and Timely Intervention Wearable devices are increasingly capable of detecting early warning signs of health issues. Some smart devices can identify irregular heart rhythms, unusually high or low heart rates, or abnormal sleep patterns. Alerts prompt users to seek medical advice, adjust daily habits, or monitor symptoms more closely. Early detection can be life-saving, particularly for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and sleep disorders. When issues are identified at an early stage, interventions are often simpler, less costly, and more effective. Wearables thus act as an early warning system, helping individuals respond before problems escalate. Encouraging Healthier Behaviors Beyond monitoring, wearable health technology plays a powerful role in behavior change. By translating complex health data into simple insights, reminders, and goals, wearables motivate users to take charge of their health. Daily step targets, activity reminders, sleep scores, and stress-management prompts encourage small but consistent lifestyle improvements. This ongoing feedback helps users develop greater awareness of how their habits affect their health. Over time, these insights can lead to sustained changes such as improved physical activity, better sleep routines, healthier eating habits, and more effective stress management. Supporting Chronic Disease Management For individuals living with chronic conditions, wearable technology offers continuous support and reassurance. Devices can help track vital parameters relevant to conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Instead of relying solely on occasional measurements, users gain ongoing visibility into how their bodies respond to medication, diet, and activity. This continuous data can improve self-management and support informed discussions with healthcare providers. It also reduces dependence on frequent hospital visits, making care more convenient and accessible, especially for those with limited mobility or access to healthcare facilities. Integration with Digital Healthcare Wearable health tech is increasingly being integrated with digital healthcare systems. Data collected by devices can be shared with healthcare professionals through mobile apps, teleconsultation platforms, or electronic health records. This connectivity allows doctors to monitor patients remotely, identify risks early, and provide personalized guidance without the need for constant in-person visits. Such integration is particularly valuable in preventive care, where early insights and timely advice can prevent complications. It also supports healthcare systems by reducing the burden on hospitals and clinics while improving patient outcomes. Challenges and Ethical Considerations Despite their benefits, wearable health devices also raise important challenges. Data privacy and security are major concerns, as wearables collect sensitive personal health information. Ensuring that this data is protected and used responsibly is critical to maintaining trust. Accuracy is another consideration. While wearable devices provide valuable insights, they are not a replacement for professional medical diagnosis. Clear communication about their limitations, along with continued improvements in sensor reliability and regulation, is essential. The Future of Preventive Care As technology continues to advance, wearable health devices are expected to become even more intelligent and personalized. Artificial intelligence and advanced analytics will enable more accurate predictions, personalized recommendations, and early detection of complex health conditions. Future wearables may monitor a wider range of biological markers, further strengthening their role in preventive care. Conclusion Wearable health technology is redefining how preventive care is delivered and experienced. By enabling continuous monitoring, early detection, personalized insights, and better engagement with health data, smart devices are shifting healthcare from a reactive model to a proactive one. As wearables become more integrated into daily life and healthcare systems, they hold the potential to improve long-term health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and empower individuals to take control of their well-being.  

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CSIR, ICMR Chart Joint Roadmap to Boost Collaborative Health Research

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The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) held a high-level strategy meeting to advance a unified roadmap for collaborative health research, the Ministry of Science & Technology said on Tuesday. The session took place at the CSIR Science Centre in New Delhi and was co-chaired by N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, and Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR and Secretary, Department of Health Research. The two organisations reviewed progress on major joint initiatives, including CSIR-developed molecules progressing toward clinical trials, updates on ICMR-supported Centres of Advanced Research within CSIR labs, and implementation of large-scale national projects. The meeting also emphasised expanding wastewater surveillance for a wider range of pathogens across cities, hospitals and communities, aligning with the One Health Mission. Discussions included defining the roles of CSIR and ICMR in drug development, clinical trials, and leveraging ICMR’s large-animal toxicity testing infrastructure. The joint AcSIR–ICMR Ph.D. programme was also reviewed, with a focus on widening opportunities for young researchers by integrating ICMR and CSIR fellowship pathways. Both Dr. Kalaiselvi and Dr. Bahl stressed the importance of combining CSIR’s scientific and technological expertise with ICMR’s public health capabilities to deliver national-scale outcomes. They highlighted the need for structured, time-bound collaboration, particularly for co-developing technologies such as a digitally operated medical emergency drone service. Experts concluded by reaffirming plans to deepen cooperation in biomedical sciences, diagnostics, digital health, environmental surveillance, and other emerging healthcare domains. Source: IANS

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AI Tool Boosts India’s Disease Surveillance, Generates Over 5,000 Alerts: Study

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An artificial intelligence–powered surveillance system deployed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has significantly strengthened India’s ability to track infectious disease outbreaks, generating more than 5,000 real-time alerts for health authorities since 2022, according to a new pre-print study. Developed by WadhwaniAI, the Health Sentinel platform has automated the labor-intensive task of scanning news reports for unusual health events. The system reportedly reduced manual workload by 98%, enabling faster outbreak detection and quicker public health action. The findings are currently under review and not yet peer-reviewed. Under India’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), media scanning and verification has long relied on manual review of print, television and online news. Health Sentinel upgrades this process by screening articles daily across 13 languages, applying AI models to highlight potential threats that are later reviewed by epidemiologists. According to the study, the platform has processed over 300 million news articles since April 2022, identifying 95,000+ unique health-related events, of which around 3,500 were shortlisted by NCDC experts as possible outbreaks. Researchers also estimate that the AI-enabled system triggered more than 5,000 actionable alerts between April 2022 and April 2025. Parag Govil, National Program Lead for Global Health Security at WadhwaniAI, said the tool preserves human oversight while eliminating the time-consuming manual scanning traditionally required. Epidemiologists validate flagged events before disseminating them to state and district authorities. The research team noted a 150% surge in published health events captured since adopting AI-assisted surveillance, compared to earlier years of fully manual analysis. In 2024 alone, 96% of reported events were identified through the AI system, with only 4% coming from manual review. Globally, event-based surveillance techniques that incorporate online media or social media sources are increasingly used to complement traditional “passive reporting” from healthcare providers. The volume of daily online content, however, has made manual screening impractical, making automated systems essential. The article also references other Indian studies highlighting the value of enhanced surveillance. A pilot conducted in six private hospitals in Kasaragod, Kerala, used an algorithm to analyse cases of acute febrile illness (AFI). The system detected 88 clusters, with several verified as outbreaks—including dengue and COVID-19—demonstrating the benefits of early, data-driven detection. International research supports similar conclusions. A 2020 review in the Journal of Biomedical Informatics found that machine learning–based analysis of social media posts, especially on Twitter, improved disease trend prediction. Another study, published in 2017 in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, showed that mining news articles can help fill gaps when official national case data is delayed. Overall, the findings underscore the growing importance of AI-driven surveillance systems in strengthening public health response capabilities and improving global health security. Source: PTI

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Russia Declares Cancer Vaccine ‘Enteromix’ Ready for Clinical Use; To Be Provided Free for Patients

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Russia has announced that its personalised cancer vaccine, Enteromix, developed using advanced mRNA technology, is now ready for clinical application following successful early trials. The vaccine, created by the National Medical Research Radiology Centre in collaboration with the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, was unveiled at the 10th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September 2025, attracting global interest from 8,400 delegates representing 75 countries. Personalised Immunotherapy Unlike chemotherapy and radiation, which damage healthy cells alongside cancerous ones, Enteromix works by training the body’s immune system to recognise and destroy tumors. Each dose is tailored to a patient’s RNA profile, ensuring a highly individualised treatment with fewer side effects. The vaccine uses four harmless viral vectors to trigger immune responses that shrink tumors, slow their spread, and extend life expectancy. Clinical Trial Results In early-stage clinical trials involving 48 patients, Enteromix demonstrated strong results: Tumor sizes reduced by 60–80%. Tumor growth halted and in some cases reversed. Improved overall survival rates. No severe side effects reported. Effectiveness maintained across multiple doses. The initial version of Enteromix targets colorectal cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Further versions for glioblastoma (brain cancer) and melanoma are also under development. Accessibility and Global Impact Russia’s Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA), led by Veronika Skvortsova, confirmed that once regulatory approvals are secured, the vaccine will be distributed free of cost to patients, making advanced cancer therapy more accessible across all social groups. Enteromix is part of a growing global race to develop cancer vaccines using mRNA technology. Companies like BioNTech and Moderna are advancing similar personalised vaccines for pancreatic, lung, and skin cancers, while the UK’s Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad and India’s work on breast, oral, and cervical cancer vaccines show worldwide momentum in this field. Russia, however, is among the first to declare clinical readiness. Next Steps Despite promising results, Enteromix must undergo Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials involving larger patient groups to confirm its safety and effectiveness before widespread use. Approval from Russia’s Ministry of Health and international health agencies will be critical for its rollout. If successful, Enteromix could become one of the first personalised mRNA cancer vaccines available to the public, offering a major breakthrough in global oncology treatment. Source: TOI Photo Credit: @SputnikInt/X   

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JSS AHER Collaborates with Google Research to Advance AI-Powered Healthcare

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In a significant leap for India’s medical research landscape, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, has joined forces with Google Research on a pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) healthcare initiative. The outcomes of this collaboration were recently published in two prestigious papers in the journal Nature, underscoring the project’s global relevance and impact. At the heart of the research lies the development of the Articulate Medical Intelligence Explorer (AMIE) — an innovative AI system designed by Google Research to improve diagnostic precision and enhance communication between doctors and patients. The studies assessed AMIE’s capabilities in comparison with trained primary care physicians, using standardized, text-based medical consultations across healthcare systems in India, the UK, and Canada. Dr. B. Suresh, Pro-Chancellor of JSS AHER, expressed pride in the institution’s role in shaping the future of healthcare, stating, “We are at the cutting edge of digital health and AI innovation. In line with these advances, we have also revised our pharmacy curriculum to include AI, ensuring our graduates are equipped for the evolving landscape of medicine.” Echoing this vision, Vice-Chancellor Dr. H. Basavanagowdappa highlighted the institution’s commitment to fostering an innovation-centric academic environment. “This international collaboration enhances our academic standing and gives our students and faculty the opportunity to tackle real-world healthcare issues. Our mission is to develop forward-looking solutions for global health,” he said. With this partnership, JSS AHER cements its position as a leading hub for digital health research, merging academic excellence with cutting-edge technological collaboration. Source: Economic Times  

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South Korea Advances Medical Data Exchange and AI-Driven Healthcare Research

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South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) is making significant strides in improving medical data exchange as part of its broader mission to enhance the use of health data across hospitals. These efforts include the ongoing development of the Korea Core Data for Interoperability and Transmission standards, alongside the implementation of the digital health record platform MyHealthway, now in its second phase. In addition to these initiatives, South Korea is set to launch a national project this year aimed at integrating the biological data of nearly 800,000 individuals. This ambitious project seeks to enhance health research and innovation by providing a vast pool of biological and medical data for analysis. The MOHW, in collaboration with the Korea Health Information Service, is also working on data-sharing agreements with major hospitals to promote the use of medical data for research purposes. This project aims to foster better utilization of medical information to drive forward medical innovations and improve patient outcomes. In a further push for innovation, an MOHW-led committee recently unveiled a four-year roadmap for establishing a robust medical AI research and development ecosystem. The roadmap emphasizes the need to invest in AI for essential medical care, including emergency services, major diseases, cancer treatment, and the development of AI-powered digital therapeutics, surgical robots, and AI-driven drug discovery. A key component of this roadmap is the creation of a unified healthcare data platform to support ongoing medical AI research. The platform is expected to streamline collaboration among researchers, hospitals, and tech developers, positioning South Korea as a leader in medical AI and healthcare innovation. Source: healthcareitnews

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Union Budget 2024: Health Sector Sees Marginal Increase, NHM Allocation Rises Amid Infrastructure Cuts

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The Union Budget 2024, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, revealed a modest 1.7% increase in the health sector allocation, bringing the total outlay to Rs 87,656 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. Despite the increase, major announcements for the health sector were noticeably absent. One of the significant allocations was for the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, which provides a Rs 5 lakh cover to the poorest 40% of the population. The allocation for this scheme increased slightly from Rs 7,200 crore last year to Rs 7,300 crore this year. The National Health Mission (NHM) received a substantial boost, with its allocation rising to Rs 36,000 crore from Rs 29,000 crore last year. The NHM focuses on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services, non-communicable diseases control, and enhancing access to comprehensive primary health care. However, the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) saw a reduction in its budget from Rs 4,200 crore last year to Rs 3,200 crore this year. The revised estimate for this mission was even lower at Rs 2,100 crore. PM-ABHIM was launched to improve health infrastructure, including health centers, labs, and critical care hospital blocks, especially during the pandemic. Another infrastructure mission, the PM Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, also faced budget cuts, with its allocation dropping from Rs 3,365 crore last year to Rs 2,200 crore this year. This scheme supports the establishment of new AIIMS and the upgradation of district hospitals. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM), which aims to create a digital health record platform for every citizen, saw its budget reduced from Rs 341 crore last year to Rs 200 crore this year. Despite this, the government plans to roll out its U-Win vaccine management portal as part of a 100-day plan, linking it to ABHA accounts for seamless health records. The tele-mental health program’s allocation decreased from Rs 133.7 crore to Rs 90 crore. This program was launched in the 2022 Budget to address mental health issues post-Covid-19 through a network of 23 mental health centers of excellence under NIMHANS. In contrast to the interim Budget’s significant health sector announcements, such as expanding the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme and promoting HPV vaccination, the current Budget made only minor mentions. The Finance Minister’s speech included a reduction in custom duty on three cancer drugs and components for manufacturing X-ray machines.

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Health Ministry Suspends Mandatory Linking of CGHS and ABHA IDs

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The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced the suspension of the compulsory linking of Central Government Health Services (CGHS) beneficiary IDs with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs until further notice. This decision, stated in an office memorandum signed by Satheesh YH, director of CGHS, follows a review of previous orders that had made the linkage mandatory. The mandatory linkage, originally set to be enforced from April 1 and later extended to June 30, aimed to integrate various government health schemes under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). However, practical issues, including data privacy concerns and the current state of technology infrastructure, appear to have influenced the decision to make the linkage optional for the time being. The CGHS provides comprehensive healthcare services to central government employees, pensioners, and their dependent family members, covering over 4.5 million people across 75 cities. In contrast, the ABHA ID is a unique 14-digit number identifying beneficiaries within India’s digital healthcare ecosystem. Despite the previous mandate, only 231,134 CGHS IDs had been linked with ABHA IDs by June 26, according to the CGHS dashboard. Experts have pointed out several issues with the mandatory linking of CGHS and ABHA IDs. Sunil Rao, COO of Sahyadri Group of Hospitals, highlighted data privacy concerns and the inadequacies in current technology infrastructure as potential reasons for the decision. An anonymous expert further noted that the government had not clearly outlined how digital records would be protected, despite assurances that records under ABHA ID would be encrypted and safeguarded under the Digital Protection of Data and Privacy Act. Rao welcomed the move, describing it as a balanced approach that allows time to address data security and system integration issues. He emphasized that making the linkage voluntary would enable the government to ensure infrastructural readiness and gain public acceptance before full implementation. The Health Ministry’s decision reflects a cautious approach, ensuring that when the policy is ultimately enforced, it will be with comprehensive preparedness and widespread support.

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