Artificial intelligence, data governance and digital health emerged as key priorities for India’s hospital sector at the ninth edition of CII Hospital Tech 2026, with two national reports highlighting the gap between interest in AI and its implementation, while the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) announced plans to introduce new standards for medical imaging systems and quality management software.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), with PwC India, launched a report on AI Shaping the Future of Healthcare, which examines where AI can create value in Indian healthcare and what it will take to move AI from pilots into everyday clinical and operational work.
The report draws on a 38-question pulse survey of around 30 senior leaders from CII healthcare member organisations, covering providers, medical technology and diagnostics.
Its findings point to a significant gap between conviction and implementation. While 93 per cent of respondents believe in AI and 64 per cent have run pilots, only 11 per cent have moved AI into production. Nearly half, 47 per cent, say their organisation is still early on data readiness.
The report identifies several areas where AI could help address structural pressures facing Indian healthcare, including prevention and public health, awareness and access, screening and diagnosis, treatment and clinical care, care coordination, hospital operations, workforce development, research and innovation.
At the hospital level, AI can extend scarce clinical expertise, reduce repetitive administrative work, improve utilisation of beds, operating theatres and diagnostic capacity, bring appropriate care closer to patients and strengthen clinical decision support.
The report identifies three broad areas of value for hospitals: the front office, including patient engagement, appointment scheduling, virtual assistants and remote care; the mid office, covering imaging, clinical decision support, ambient documentation and capacity optimisation; and the back office, spanning finance, claims, procurement and supply chain.
However, few use cases have reached scale. Clinical AI continues to attract most of the pilot activity, while foundational, patient-facing and administrative applications show stronger production adoption.
The barriers to implementation are largely practical. Data quality is cited by 36 per cent as the single biggest reason deployments stall, followed by change management at 21 per cent, clinician adoption at 14 per cent and no clear return on investment at 14 per cent.
The report therefore frames AI as an operating-model change rather than a stand-alone technology project. While a pilot can establish whether a solution works in a particular environment, moving into production requires sustained adoption, measurable outcomes, manageable costs and clear business ownership.
It recommends that healthcare leaders focus on four priorities: selecting one measurable problem; measuring the baseline before a pilot and establishing clear accountability; building foundations around data platforms, governance, validation, safety and workforce capability; and embedding AI into everyday workflows to move from insight to owned action.
Alongside the AI report, CII released the CII-Deloitte Knowledge Report, Unlocking Data Governance in Alignment with the DPDP Act and Rules. The report highlights the need for robust data governance practices in healthcare, covering data discovery, privacy and consent management, secure data sharing, cybersecurity preparedness and the responsible use of AI. It outlines a roadmap for healthcare organisations to build trusted, secure and AI-ready digital healthcare systems aligned with India’s evolving data protection framework.
The focus on data governance comes as hospitals and healthcare institutions increase their investments in digital platforms, technology and AI-led solutions.
Speaking from a national perspective, Rizwan Koita, Chairman, National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) and Co-Founder & Director, Koita Foundation, outlined NABH’s progress in driving digital health adoption across India. He announced that NABH is preparing to launch new standards for medical imaging systems and quality management software, creating a comprehensive digital framework to support hospitals of all sizes.
He emphasised that widespread digital adoption is essential for enabling initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, electronic claims processing, and higher standards of patient care and safety.
At the state level, Maharashtra is positioning itself as a global destination for healthcare innovation, medical technology, digital health, biotechnology and advanced medical device manufacturing, said Jaykumar Rawal, Minister for Protocol, FDI, Diaspora Affairs & Agro-Marketing, Government of Maharashtra, while delivering the keynote address at the summit.
Addressing healthcare leaders, policymakers, technology experts and international delegates, Shri Rawal highlighted that Maharashtra’s vision aligns with the national goal of “Viksit Bharat 2047.” He said the state aims to leverage its strong healthcare infrastructure, pharmaceutical and biotechnology base, medical institutions, skilled workforce and global partnerships to create a world-class healthcare ecosystem.
Highlighting Maharashtra’s commitment to accessible and inclusive healthcare, he noted the impact of initiatives such as the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY), which provides financial protection and access to quality medical treatment for economically weaker sections, alongside ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state. He also invited international companies, research institutions and investors to collaborate, innovate and invest in Maharashtra, while emphasising the role of FDI, technology transfer and diaspora partnerships in advancing healthcare outcomes and supporting the state’s vision of becoming a global hub for healthcare innovation and excellence.
Padma Shri Dr Ramakant Deshpande, Chairman, CII Western Region Healthcare & Life Sciences Sub-Committee 2026–27 and Chairman, Asian Cancer Institute (ACI) – Cumballa Hill Hospital, underscored the importance of preventive healthcare alongside treatment. He highlighted growing concerns around obesity and lifestyle diseases and called for greater focus on public awareness, preventive interventions and collaborative initiatives to improve health outcomes. He also noted India’s growing position as a global healthcare destination and stressed the importance of innovation, accessibility, affordability and skilled healthcare professionals.
Joy Chakraborty, Chairman, CII Hospital Tech 2026 and Deputy CEO, P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, said that healthcare transformation requires stronger collaboration among government, industry and healthcare providers. He highlighted the role of initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission in strengthening healthcare access and digital infrastructure. He noted that artificial intelligence, diagnostics, therapeutics and digital health technologies are reshaping healthcare delivery and enhancing patient outcomes. He also emphasised the need to support small and medium-sized hospitals through greater access to technology, skills development and capacity building.
Saurabh Agarwal, Co-Chair, CII WR Sub-Committee on Healthcare & Lifesciences 2026–27 and Executive Vice President, Lupin, highlighted the future shifts shaping healthcare, including AI-enabled hospital operations, predictive and preventive healthcare, sustainability, smart hospitals and workforce upskilling. He stressed that technology adoption alone is not enough and that healthcare organisations must focus on measurable patient outcomes, operational efficiency and environmental sustainability through meaningful implementation.
The summit also highlighted the role of international partnerships in healthcare innovation. Terry Van Heden, Consul General, Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mumbai, highlighted growing opportunities for India-Netherlands collaboration in MedTech, digital health, diagnostics, AI and healthcare innovation. He emphasised the importance of co-creating solutions that can address global healthcare challenges while being scalable and patient-centric.
Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, highlighted the opportunities arising from the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and underscored the potential for greater collaboration in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, R&D, manufacturing and healthcare services. He noted that the agreement will further strengthen innovation partnerships and healthcare investments between the two countries.