Soumya Swaminathan Advocates for AI and Digital Patient Databases in Public Healthcare
On Saturday, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, chairperson of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation and former WHO Chief Scientist, highlighted the significant potential of using artificial intelligence (AI) in the public healthcare system during an event in Chennai. Speaking at a gathering organized by Super Chennai, a social impact initiative of CREDAI Chennai, Dr. Swaminathan emphasized the need to build digital patient databases to track and monitor health outcomes.
During the event, where she was honored with the 'Icon of the Month' award, Dr. Swaminathan noted that while private hospitals currently utilize AI effectively to track data and gain insights into patient health outcomes, the public health system requires the creation of a digital database of patients. She explained that establishing this database is a crucial first step to enable tracking, monitoring, and supporting extension services for the target population.
However, the former WHO chief scientist cautioned against using technology merely for the sake of it. She stressed that AI technologies must undergo rigorous safety testing before they are deployed in public healthcare. According to Dr. Swaminathan, AI needs to be tested in the same manner as drugs or vaccines to ensure safety and efficacy.
Responding to questions regarding her early life and career focused on evidence-based health policy, Dr. Swaminathan also highlighted the importance of the public working with the government to solve the environmental crisis. She stated that getting on the field helps researchers and policymakers understand the subject and ground reality better.
She added that insights provided by the people who are directly affected by these issues, whether they are fishers, tribals, or the elderly, are essential to shaping policies backed by evidence. Super Chennai managing director Ranjeeth Rathod stated that the award was presented to honor Dr. Swaminathan’s legacy of science, compassion, and public service, which continues to inspire future generations.
