Faces of Digital Health

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?

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

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

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

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/

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

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:

Can video games really save lives? In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, we sit down with Anca Petre to explore the booming intersection of gaming, virtual reality (VR) and healthcare. From Fortnite maps that teach immunity to Roblox worlds that demystify diabetes, we showcase real-world success stories and practical steps for health organizations that want to level-up patient engagement. What you’ll learn 2:00 Intro & why gaming matters in 2025 4:05 Success story #1 – Fortnite immunity map 8:40 Success story #2 – Minecraft mental-health build 11:55 How creator economies (Fortnite Creative, Roblox, Minecraft) open doors for health innovators 16:10 Budgeting & ROI: making the business case 20:30 4-step framework for your first health-game project 26:45 Overcoming stigma & regulatory hurdles 31:00 Future outlook: VR, digital therapeutics & beyond Key takeaways Gaming isn’t just entertainment—it’s a powerful storytelling engine for complex medical topics. Creator platforms already host millions of engaged users: meet them where they play. Partner with influencers and studios to translate clinical insights into immersive worlds. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/ Youtube: https://youtu.be/sENyLJmk9wc?si=nCDKGtPqdwtqtv6Q

Jack Kreindler is physician, explorer, and CEO of WellFounded, who studies human performance, resilience, survivorship, and longevity. He emphasizes the distinction between longevity, which caters to the fear of death, and health span, which focuses on expanding vitality and ensuring good quality of life in the finite years we have. The discussion dives into human performance medicine and its application beyond elite athletes to everyday individuals and patients in critical conditions. Kreindler talks about integrating human performance science with traditional medicine, improving health outcomes, and assessing current medical practices such as prehabilitation in oncology. He also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on public health perception, the rise in self-directed healthcare, and the importance of mental health and human connection for overall well-being. Show notes: 01:03 Human Performance Medicine: Beyond Athletes 02:31 Integrating Human Performance with Traditional Medicine 06:00 Prehabilitation and Cancer Treatment 11:59 Metabolic Flexibility and Health Optimization 19:41 Founder's Health Program: A New Approach 23:02 Impact of COVID-19 on Health Perception 28:59 Introduction to the Program 29:33 Performance Medicine and Testing 31:37 Mindset Shift During COVID 32:54 Longevity and Healthspan Aspirations 36:34 Challenges and Motivations for Fitness 44:56 Impact of Technology on Health 51:30 Human Connection and Health 55:43 Conclusion and Podcast Information Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOc5reFMk8k&t=7s www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/

Philippe Habets is a Dutch physician-scientist and entrepreneur specializing in computational psychiatry and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare. He is co-founder of Evidence Hunt, a health-tech company aimed at revolutionizing medical literature discovery using AI. The AI-powered platform that streamlines the process of finding, analyzing, and utilizing medical evidence, enabling users to access summarized, evidence-based answers with cited sources in seconds. This discussion covers: Why measuring resilience with data is so elusive How Evidence Hunt reduces search fatigue for clinicians and researchers The philosophical challenge of translating emotions into data What makes a good prompt when searching for medical knowledge Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8tC0B4NvpM www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/