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Health minister Vishwajit Rane emphasised that digitisation and AI are now central to transforming healthcare.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Minister Vishwajit Rane emphasised that his foremost responsibility is to serve the poorest of the poor.
The CNN-News18 Goa HealthTech Summit 2025, presented by Earshot, underscored how Goa is rapidly emerging as India’s model state for healthcare innovation. The day-long forum brought together policymakers, clinicians, researchers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to deliberate on the future of health delivery, with Shri Vishwajit Rane, Hon’ble Minister for Health, Women & Child Development, Urban Development, Town & Country Planning and Forest, Government of Goa, providing the summit’s defining moments.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Minister Rane emphasised that his foremost responsibility is to serve the poorest of the poor and ensure that advanced, high-quality care is delivered free of cost to every citizen. Guided by the Prime Minister’s vision of “Healthcare for All”, he praised the dedication of doctors, administrators, and expert bodies in driving progressive policies. Under his leadership, Goa has become the first state to offer free cancer screening and medication, alongside pioneering newborn screening for inborn metabolic disorders. From deploying AI-powered X-ray systems in primary health centres to piloting outcome-linked pricing for life-saving therapies, Goa is building a healthcare ecosystem that is both future-ready and inclusive.
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He emphasised that digitisation and AI are now central to transforming healthcare. Hospital management systems, teleconsultations, and electronic health records are already streamlining processes and making care more patient-centric. Describing Goa as a laboratory of innovation, he called for continuous collaboration between government, medical institutions, and technology innovators to ensure impact at scale.
The summit featured voices that complemented this vision. Dr Shivanand Bandekar, former Dean of Goa Medical College, noted that AI is becoming indispensable in diagnostics, radiology, and surgery, particularly in public hospitals with heavy patient loads. Dr Gautam Wankhede of Mylab Discovery Solutions highlighted how molecular diagnostics now deliver results in minutes instead of days, while Dr R. P. Srivastava, B. C. Roy Awardee and former President of the Association of Surgeons of India, stressed the need to integrate diagnostic data with national systems like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
Wellness and preventive care were another focus, with discussions on how Ayurveda and millets can complement modern medicine. Professor Sujata Kadam, Dean of the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Goa, reflected on Ayurveda’s growing global relevance and the opportunity to blend traditional science with digital validation. Entrepreneurs Sucheta Bhandare of EarthPoorna and Unnati Bagnikar of Great Bites shared how grassroots ventures are reviving nutritional wisdom while empowering communities and promoting healthier lifestyles.
Sessions on smart devices and implants showcased the future of care, from robotic joint replacements and 3D bioprinting to AI-assisted oncology. Dr Ameya Velingker and Dr Shekhar Salkar stressed that while such innovations are transformative, the surgeon’s judgement remains crucial for safe, effective outcomes. Emergency medicine also commanded attention, with Prof. Dr Siddharth P. Dubhashi of AIIMS Nagpur and Dr Sanjeev Bhoi of AIIMS Delhi urging investment in trauma pathways, referral networks, and scaled training models to improve survival rates in crises.
The role of insurance in expanding healthcare access was highlighted by Rajiv Gupta of PB Fintech, who explained how AI, blockchain, and data analytics are streamlining customer experience and efficiency, while emphasising the importance of regulatory clarity and trust in the shift to digital-first insurance.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
Panaji (Panjim, India, India
September 18, 2025, 13:44 IST
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