

Faces of Digital Health
Tjasa Zajc
Faces of Digital Health is a podcast about digital health, exploring how different healthcare systems adopt technologies in healthcare. Its aim is to satisfy curiosity about different cultures, identify barriers to success in different countries and finding answers and advice for accelerating the success of digital health entrepreneurs.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 4, 2025 • 18min
Why Free Apps Are Never Free: Cybersecurity Lessons with Leila Taghizade
At WHX Tech, cybersecurity expert Dr Leila Taghizade, Group Head of Cyber Risk Management / CISO IberoLatAm at Allianz, breaks down what every individual—and every hospital—should know about protecting themselves in 2025. From the basics of stronger passwords and two-factor authentication to the risks of free apps and third-party tools, she explains in clear terms why “there’s no such thing as free lunch” in cybersecurity. Leila also highlights the dangers of phishing, the vulnerability of medical devices, and how AI both helps defenders and lowers the cost of attacks.
Show Notes
00:00 – Introduction: why cybersecurity basics matter in 2025
00:30 – Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, limiting app permissions
02:00 – Giving apps only the access they really need
03:00 – Cybersecurity in healthcare: medical devices as weak links
04:30 – Default passwords and firmware updates as major risks
05:30 – Phishing: why reporting is critical for protection
07:00 – Everyday cyber hygiene: logging out, password managers
08:30 – AI’s impact on cybersecurity: lowering cost of attacks, improving defense
10:00 – The risks of free apps and third-party tools
11:00 – Data leaks and how AI tools may unintentionally share information
12:30 – AI as a double-edged sword: prevention vs. risk
14:00 – Final advice: caution doesn’t mean fear, but informed use
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/

Sep 20, 2025 • 42min
From Taboo to Treatment: Digital Interventions for Women’s Sexual Health
Did you know that the lifetime prevalence for experiencing a sexual problem is above 70% for women and 55% for men? And when we talk about the problem in conjunction with the distress, it's 25% in women and around 20% in men. So one in four women has the problem right now they are silently suffering because of various issues - challenges discussing issues with their doctor, inadequate awareness among physicians and more. In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, we dive into a topic often overlooked in healthcare: women’s sexual health and sexual distress. Clinical psychologist and sex therapist from Charite, Berlin Selina Marie Kronthaler discusses the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, why sexual distress is still underdiagnosed, and the impact on relationships and quality of life. We explore how digital health tools and evidence-based interventions are being developed to support women in navigating sexual pain, arousal disorders, and emotional challenges in a private, accessible way. The conversation highlights the gaps in current healthcare training, the role of gynecologists, and why femtech innovation and funding are critical to addressing an underserved area that affects 1 in 4 women.
E-Mail: selina.kronthaler@charite.de
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selina.kronthaler/
(German Therapy Website: https://www.selinakronthaler.de/)
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/

Sep 11, 2025 • 25min
AI replacing radiologists: Was the prediction right, just the timeline wrong? John Nosta, Shafi Ahmed
In this thought-provoking conversation, surgeon Shafi Ahmed and digital health futurist John Nosta revisit Geoffrey Hinton’s bold 2016 prediction that radiologists would soon be replaced by AI.
🔍 Topics covered:
Why AI hasn’t replaced radiologists yet—and what’s holding it back
The role of large language models in diagnostics and clinical practice
The debate over accuracy, intuition, and the “art” of medicine
Accountability and liability when AI makes mistakes in healthcare
The deeper question: is AI truly intelligent, or does it think in a way fundamentally different from humans?
💡 Shafi and John don’t always agree—but together they explore the future of medicine, the limits of technology, and the ethical, clinical, and philosophical challenges that will define healthcare in the AI era.
02:02 Introduction and Debate Overview
02:17 AI in Radiology: Predictions vs. Reality
04:00 Challenges in AI Implementation
06:32 Generative AI in Clinical Practice
08:50 Ethical and Regulatory Concerns
10:19 Philosophical Perspectives on AI
16:39 Accountability in AI-Driven Healthcare
19:57 AI's Cognitive Differences and Impact on Healthcare
21:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/

Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 5min
How India is Building the World’s Largest Digital Health Ecosystem for 1.5 billion people?
India’s journey in digital health began just over a decade ago, yet it has quickly grown into one of the most ambitious transformations worldwide.
It started in 2012 with maternal and child health programs, expanded to cover non-communicable diseases, and gained momentum with the launch of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in 2020.
At the heart of ABDM is the ABHA ID—a unique 14-digit health identifier for every citizen. Combined with registries for facilities and professionals, and a consent-based health information exchange, India has laid the groundwork for a truly interoperable system.
So far, over 800 million ABHA IDs have been created. Yet, only around 20% of facilities and professionals are onboarded, with adoption challenges in the private sector.
Ritesh Aeron is a distinguished digital health expert and program management specialist with a strong track record of driving large-scale health systems transformation through digital innovation. He currently serves as a Director at the Equitable Global Healthcare Foundation (EGHF), a role he has held since April 2025. In this discussion he explains:
What is the current state of healthcare digitalization in India?
How did India’s digital health journey start and evolve?
What is the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and how does it work?
What is the ABHA ID and why is it important?
How does interoperability and consent-based data exchange function?
How many people and facilities are onboarded so far?
What challenges remain in adoption and regulation?
How is data being used for population health and surveillance?
What role does AI and innovation play in care delivery?
How open is the Indian market for global providers?
How is AI affecting both healthcare delivery and the software workforce?

Aug 22, 2025 • 38min
From Burnout to Balance: How EHR Culture and AI Are Reshaping Clinician Experience (Coray Tate,KLAS)
Healthcare technology has long promised efficiency, but for many clinicians, the reality has been different: burnout, frustration, and time stolen from patient care. In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, Tjasa Zajc spoke with Coray Tate, VP of Clinical Research at KLAS Research, about what the data actually reveals about burnout, electronic health records (EHRs), and the role of new technologies like ambient speech and AI.
Key takeaways:
Culture matters more than technology choice. The Arch Collaborative found that execution and organizational support around EHRs matter more than the specific vendor.
Burnout isn’t primarily caused by EHRs. Instead, clinicians report that feeling unheard and disconnected from leadership drives dissatisfaction.
The Middle East stands out. Collaboration-focused cultures there show significantly lower burnout rates than the U.S. or Europe.
Ambient speech is delivering results. Across ~25 health systems, burnout rates dropped by 12% after adopting ambient documentation tools.
AI will redefine expectations. We are at the cusp of moving from “taskmaster” EHRs to supportive assistants that reduce cognitive load and help clinicians reclaim personal time.
The future of healthcare technology isn’t just about smarter systems — it’s about listening, collaborating, and ensuring that innovations help clinicians live better lives inside and outside the hospital.
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZAhDhrNZu0

Aug 7, 2025 • 49min
Scaling Health in India: Digital Systems, AI, and Human-Centric Care (Sabine Kapasi)
In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, host Tjasa Zajc speaks with Dr. Sabine Kapasi, a physician, UN strategist, and founder of a Enira Consulting focused on bridging policy, tech, and clinical practice.
The discussion explores the evolving landscape of healthcare in India, touching on digital transformation, rural access challenges, innovative diagnostics, and the role of AI. India’s large population, digital payment infrastructure, and widespread smartphone adoption are unique assets in transforming care delivery. However, gaps in infrastructure, rural clinician availability, and systemic fragmentation remain hurdles. Dr. Sabine emphasizes the importance of human-centered care, especially in the context of AI adoption.
Topics covered:
Current Public Health Challenges in India
Rise in infectious diseases during monsoon
Double burden of NCDs and communicable diseases
Vaccination Success
Polio eradication and near-universal childhood vaccination
Demographics & Governance
Young population
Strong centralized governance aiding digital health
Digital Infrastructure
UPI adoption
Smartphone saturation in rural and urban areas
Healthcare Delivery Landscape
High access to medications but low access to diagnostics
Urban-rural doctor imbalance
Role of frontline workers
Role of Technology
AI in CDSS
Mobile diagnostic kits
Digital ID (ABHA) and EHR integration
Telemedicine and eSanjeevani platform
Barriers to Digitization
Over 10,000 HIS vendors
Lack of mandated digital infrastructure
Provider reluctance due to tax implications and informal payments
Innovation in Diagnostics
Liquid biopsy alternatives for early cancer detection
Scalable, low-cost rapid tests suited for Indian climate
The Human Element
Importance of human touch in healthcare
Health as a community-driven concept
Future Opportunities
GenAI in clinical training and diagnostics
Insurance as a digital health accelerator
Localization of clinical trials and precision medicine

Jul 25, 2025 • 34min
Navigating the Future of AI in Pharma: AI agents will need limitations
AI has revolutionized drug discovery by enabling scientists to process vast amounts of historical data, thus accelerating the identification of disease targets and molecule development. AI helps avoid past mistakes and improves the quality of research, making it an indispensable tool in the lab. MSD's approach to AI involves a blend of internal talent and strategic partnerships. By combining computational and web science expertise, MSD ensures that both technological and scientific endpoints are effectively addressed, says Matt Studney, SVP of Research Labs at MSD.
Topics addressed:
Internal vs. External AI Development at MSD
Global Data Management Challenges
Generative AI's Impact on Drug Discovery
Confidential AI Systems and Documentation
Challenges in AI Integration
Workforce Upskilling and Cultural Change
Future Breakthroughs and Concerns
Synthetic Data and Drug Repurposing
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
Youtube: https://youtu.be/pgCz-tgHaL0

Jul 11, 2025 • 53min
How Can We Change Healthcare to Prolonge Healthspan? (Bogi Eliasen)
This discussion covers the global impact of digital health technologies in making healthcare more sustainable and improving health outcomes. The conversation centers on a fundamental question: should we prioritize building better healthcare systems or cultivating healthier populations?
Bogi Eliasen, a sought after keynote speaker and advisor for health leaders globally, stresses the urgency of early intervention, particularly in the context of chronic diseases, to ease the growing burden on healthcare systems. He advocates for a shift from reactive to preventative care, emphasizing the role of digital technologies in enabling this transition and improving outcomes at scale.
Key barriers to progress include political and commercial inertia, short-term policy thinking, and the escalating costs of acute care. The interview draws on success stories, such as the Nordic Health 2030 Vision, which aims to redesign healthcare to be more preventative, personalized, and data-driven.
Innovative applications of existing technologies in regions like Latin America and Africa are also highlighted, showcasing how local solutions can deliver significant improvements in access and care delivery. The conversation further explores the need to reimagine workforce structures in healthcare and underscores the importance of embedding dignity at every level of care.
Looking ahead, the focus is on harnessing advanced technologies holistically and strengthening public-private partnerships to accelerate meaningful, equitable change in global health systems.
Topics:
01:13 The Importance of Early Action in Healthcare
02:51 Primary vs. Secondary Prevention
05:05 Challenges in Healthcare Systems
06:36 The Role of Public-Private Partnerships
09:14 Nordic Health 2030 Vision
22:36 Digital Health and Global Impact
26:19 Addressing Cardiovascular Disease in Ghana
27:36 Cancer Screening Initiatives in Peru and South Africa
28:24 Challenges in Scaling Healthcare Across Borders
29:49 Rethinking Health Systems for Better Outcomes
31:37 The Role of Primary Care in Latin America
32:43 The Importance of Health as a Societal Driver
33:22 The Future of Healthcare: From Sick Care to Health Care
37:57 The Concept of Dignity in Healthcare
40:46 Emerging Innovations in Global Health
44:12 The Role of AI and Data in Personalized Healthcare
48:28 Movement Health Foundation's Vision for the Future
Youtube: https://youtu.be/z6eF6z1H8CM
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
https://fodh.substack.com/

Jul 2, 2025 • 41min
AI in Healthcare: Navigating the Myths, Biases, and Regulation
Jessica Morley, postdoctoral researcher at the Yale Digital Ethics Center joins Faces of Digital Health to discuss the overlooked aspects of AI, including biases, ethical issues, and common misconceptions. AI is not new, magical, or truly intelligent; its roots in healthcare trace back 30 years. While AI is often seen as infallible, it is merely statistical prediction and lacks semantic understanding, which excludes it from genuinely grasping human concepts like pain. Jessica remains skeptically optimistic about AI, noting its potential in scientific advancements and operational efficiency but doubting its transformative impact on diagnostics and patient care. The conversation also highlights the regulatory landscapes in Europe, the UK, and the US, each with varying approaches to AI regulation.
Jessica emphasizes the unavoidable nature of bias in AI, advocating for more thoughtful adoption and regulation to ensure AI benefits everyone without deepening biases or relying excessively on surveillance. The discussion concludes with insights into ongoing research aimed at shifting focus from individual health optimization to maximizing population health.
00:00 Introduction to Digital Health and AI
02:21 Debunking Myths About AI
06:13 The Potential and Limitations of AI in Healthcare
11:10 Global Regulatory Landscape for AI in Healthcare
19:36 The Impact of AI on Personalized Medicine
34:41 Addressing Bias and Ethical Concerns in AI
38:39 Future Research and Conclusion
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
Youtube: https://youtu.be/jW_p-w39wD8?si=Q34VZdDJPsmzOg44

Jun 24, 2025 • 43min
Global AI Regulation: Health AI, Global Network and Early warning system
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare presents both opportunities and challenges that demand careful consideration. The complex interplay between innovation, regulation, and ethical governance are central themes at the heart of global discussions on health AI.
This dialogue was brought to the forefront in a recent conversation with Ricardo Baptista Leite, CEO of Health AI - Global Agency for Responsible AI in Healthcare. Understanding Health AI and Its Mission Health AI, the global agency for responsible AI in health, is at the forefront of steering the development and adoption of AI solutions through collaborative regulatory mechanisms and global standards.
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
https://fodh.substack.com/
Youtube: