World Health Day 2025: Experts weigh in on healthcare in the age of AI

On the occasion of World Health Day on 7th April 2025, based on the theme ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’ experts weigh in on 'healthcare in times of AI.'

 

"To truly realise we must empower the adult population to avoid being crippled by lifestyle diseases and instead rise to their full potential," say experts whom THE WEEK spoke to. Many said that they wished for the corporates to lead the way by integrating genomic screening into executive health check-ups and employee health plans because “beyond immediate wellness, this approach also has a profound generational impact.”

 

“The epigenetic health of young adults directly influences the well-being of future generations. Investing in adult preventive health today ensures truly healthy beginnings for tomorrow,” they said. Doctors also wish for innovation in medical products that go on to enhance good health and longevity of patients.

 

Experts take on AI in healthcare

 

Dr Bilal Thangal T M, Medical Lead, NURA

 

AI-driven health screening is transforming the way we approach early detection, prevention, and personalised care. By leveraging AI in areas like heart and cancer screening, lifestyle assessment, and nutrigenomics, we can identify risks at an early stage, enabling timely interventions that lead to healthier lives.

 

With AI-powered tools, individuals can gain deeper insights into their health, make informed lifestyle choices, and proactively manage potential health risks. This World Health Day, as we focus on ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,’ it’s essential to embrace AI and other advanced technologies to create a future where diseases are detected earlier, healthcare is more accessible, and people can lead longer, healthier lives. Through awareness, early screening, and AI-driven insights, we can redefine preventive healthcare and ensure better health outcomes for generations to come.

 

Dr Sajeev Nair, founder, Bengaluru-based genomic health-tech startup, Vieroots

 

World Health Day 2025’s focus on maternal and newborn health is a much-needed call to action. For India, it’s time to take a bold step by mandating genetic screening for 100% of newborns, just as is done in countries like the United States. But the spotlight shouldn’t stop at birth. The health of mothers, fathers, and all adults is equally critical. Every adult should ideally undergo genetic screening, which can guide lifestyle modifications to prevent chronic diseases and unlock peak physical and cognitive performance.

 

Dr Keshav Kale, senior interventional cardiologist, Medicover Hospital, Navi Mumbai talks on the need for leadless pacemakers

 

A patient, diagnosed with Bradycardia and Degenerative CHB (Complete Heart Block), also had severe thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count), making conventional pacemaker implantation too risky due to the high chance of bleeding complications.

 

The Medtronic Micra Leadless Pacemaker was the safest and most advanced option for the patient, offering an effective solution for managing bradycardia (slow heart rate). After thorough discussions with the patient’s family and the heart team, the decision was made to proceed with the leadless pacemaker to regulate his heartbeat and aid in his recovery.

 

This minimally invasive device is implanted directly into the heart, eliminating the need for leads or surgical incisions, thereby reducing complications and ensuring a faster recovery.

 

What are leadless pacemakers?

 

Leadless pacemakers are advanced devices that automatically regulate heart rate without the need for surgery, batteries, or leads like conventional pacemakers. They are implanted directly into the right lower heart chamber using catheters. Since they do not require a surgical pocket or leads, they offer a safer alternative with a lower risk of bleeding, complications, and infections. We must pursue medical excellence and innovation and ensure that advanced cardiac treatments are more accessible to patients.

 

Dr Ramesh Shah, family physician, Mumbai

 

In the era of specialists and super specialists, the only thing I wish for at my age of 85, is that the deep connection between the doctor and the patient is not lost. While AI and medical technology takes over most of the in-house working inside a hospital, and also surgical operations, doctors must not become dependent on technology; they still need to use their own acumen and judgement while making crucial decisions and that alone will define good medical practice.

 

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