AI Delivers Measurable Gains in Indian Healthcare, Says Philips MD
Artificial intelligence is beginning to deliver tangible benefits across India's healthcare system, with clinicians reporting significant gains in productivity and patient care, according to Bharath Sesha, Managing Director of Philips Indian Subcontinent. The Philips Future Health Index 2026 India Report highlights how AI-enabled tools are allowing healthcare professionals to save substantial time, which they are redirecting towards more meaningful clinical work.
Sesha noted that the biggest shift from previous years is the translation of optimism into measurable outcomes. Clinicians now report saving the equivalent of more than three working weeks annually thanks to AI. This saved time is crucial, enabling doctors to spend more quality time with patients, refine diagnoses, and ultimately improve the standard of care.
India's Unique Challenges Drive Rapid AI Adoption
Indian clinicians are embracing AI at a faster rate than their global counterparts, a trend Sesha attributes to the specific realities of the country's healthcare landscape. The immense patient volumes and the desire of doctors to dedicate more meaningful time to each individual make any technology that reduces administrative burden immediately valuable.
Another significant factor is the pursuit of equitable healthcare access. AI is viewed as a powerful tool to bridge the disparities between metropolitan centers and underserved rural areas, extending specialist expertise and enhancing care quality regardless of a patient's location. For instance, in stroke care, AI-enabled networks can instantly transmit scans from smaller hospitals to specialists in larger cities, allowing treatment planning to begin even before patient transfer.
Addressing Training, Governance, and Trust for Scaled AI
Despite the rapid adoption, the report identifies critical areas for improvement: clinician training, governance, and trust. Nearly two-thirds of clinicians feel their AI training is inadequate. Philips actively addresses this by training over 1,000 clinicians annually, with AI education becoming a central component.
Governance is equally vital to ensure AI systems are reliable, properly monitored, and used responsibly. Sesha emphasized that human judgment will always remain central in healthcare. AI's role is to augment clinicians by processing information faster and identifying patterns, but accountability, clinical judgment, and patient relationships are inherently human responsibilities. Building trust requires both capable AI and its responsible deployment, alongside robust data privacy frameworks like India's SAHI guidelines.
Scaling AI from Pilot Projects to Routine Practice
To move AI beyond pilot projects into routine clinical practice, solutions must demonstrate measurable clinical value. Sesha highlighted examples like Philips' SmartSpeed MRI technology, which enables each MRI unit to scan five to six additional patients daily while maintaining image quality. Across hundreds of systems, this translates into thousands of extra scans annually.
The Hub-and-Stroke initiative further exemplifies practical AI application, connecting CT scanners in smaller cities with specialist stroke centers to accelerate diagnosis and treatment planning. These practical, productivity-enhancing solutions are key drivers for wider adoption.
Philips' Strategic Investment and Growth in India
Philips has invested approximately ₹1,750 crore in India over the last four to five years, primarily in innovation, research and development, and manufacturing. The Bengaluru campus has emerged as Philips' global AI Centre of Excellence, with one in every two Philips devices sold worldwide containing software developed there.
Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities represent a major growth opportunity, with 80% of healthcare professionals believing AI can improve access in underserved communities. Philips' AI innovations are often designed for these markets, envisioning specialist hospitals digitally connected to smaller facilities. Partnerships with governments, healthcare providers, and technology partners, such as the recent collaboration with Bajaj Group, are central to Philips' strategy to build integrated healthcare ecosystems and drive future growth in India.