Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, speaking at the International Conference of the Society of Robotic Surgery, articulated a comprehensive vision for the integration of robotics and artificial intelligence across India's healthcare landscape. He emphasized that robotics should not be viewed as technology confined solely to surgery but as an accelerating tool that will permeate every medical specialty, including diagnostics, treatment, and therapy, leading to the potential emergence of fields like robotic medicine, robotic endocrinology, and robotic cardiology.
Dr. Singh described how robotics, AI, and nanoscience are converging to create a larger ecosystem for precision health delivery and precision medicine. This approach will enable increasingly personalized healthcare based on an individual's unique genetic profile, environmental conditions, lifestyle, and dietary patterns, moving away from one-size-fits-all treatments even for patients diagnosed with the same disease.
Regarding specific initiatives, the minister reported that India's Genome Programme has already sequenced 10,000 individuals and expressed hope that the country could eventually move towards gene sequencing for every newborn. He noted that undertaking genetic sequencing for India's population of 1.4 billion would require optimal use of AI and robotics. Additionally, he highlighted advances in nanomedicine, specifically mentioning ongoing efforts to develop oral insulin, which could overcome limitations associated with conventional drug delivery.
The minister particularly emphasized the relevance of tele-robotics for India given the country's size, diversity, and geographical spread. He shared a personal anecdote about performing an ultrasound on a person located 10,000 kilometers away in Antarctica, demonstrating the practical application of remotely enabled medical technologies. This capability could transform the traditional healthcare model by enabling specialist expertise to reach patients across geographical boundaries instead of requiring patients to travel to specialists.
Dr. Singh also addressed India's complex healthcare challenges, where infectious diseases continue to coexist with metabolic and lifestyle-related disorders, and diseases traditionally associated with later life stages are increasingly appearing among younger populations. He concluded that AI and robotics can serve as powerful facilitatory tools to address these diverse healthcare requirements while supporting the transition toward precision and personalized medicine.