India is well placed to expand the use of wearable devices and artificial intelligence in preventive healthcare, with experts pointing to the country’s connectivity, engineering capabilities and growing public and private health insurance ecosystem as factors that could support wider adoption.
Health technology and preventive care are at an inflection point, according to experts participating in discussions at the Garmin Health Summit in Bangkok. They said wearable devices could help identify early health signals and contribute to a healthcare system that places greater emphasis on wellness and prevention.
Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, said the scientific understanding of disease, including the role of genetics and lifestyle-related epigenetic factors, had improved. She said the body provides signals that need to be identified early, making wearable technology relevant to both clinical care and broader health monitoring.
“We need to pick up these signals early and therefore, the entire aspect of using wearables is going to enhance the clinical ecosystem and enhance the health and wellness ecosystem towards prevention,”
Reddy said India was ready to adapt wearables as a preventive healthcare tool. The remarks come as technology companies and healthcare providers explore ways to use connected devices to monitor health indicators and support interventions before conditions become more serious.
Rural monitoring initiative
Garmin Health is expanding its presence in India through collaborations that include Apollo Hospitals. One such effort, the ‘Grameen by Gramin’ scheme, uses Garmin watches to monitor health indicators linked to diabetes and hypertension in a rural Indian village.
| Health technology initiative | Details reported |
|---|---|
| Garmin Health and Apollo Hospitals | Collaboration to support the use of connected health technology in India |
| ‘Grameen by Gramin’ scheme | Garmin watches used to monitor indicators related to diabetes and hypertension in a rural village |
The rural programme reflects the potential for wearable devices to be used beyond urban hospitals and corporate wellness settings. However, monitoring information is not the same as a medical diagnosis. Health readings can require clinical interpretation, and anyone concerned about an abnormal result should consult a qualified doctor rather than change medicines or treatment without professional advice.
Connectivity and skills seen as strengths
Reddy said India had a “connective ecosystem” supported by the government and telecom service providers. She also referred to Ayushman Bharat and the availability of private and public insurance, saying these factors could help people across different sections of society access healthcare.
India’s engineering talent was another factor highlighted in the discussion. The country, according to Reddy, has the capacity to develop artificial intelligence algorithms and build health technology solutions that can be adapted and scaled. She said India should participate actively in the global movement towards technology-enabled healthcare instead of remaining only a recipient of knowledge.
- Wearables may help identify health signals at an early stage.
- Artificial intelligence is being considered for the development of health-monitoring tools and algorithms.
- Rural initiatives could extend preventive monitoring beyond major cities.
- Health readings require appropriate clinical assessment and should not replace medical consultation.
The experts’ assessment places preventive care at the centre of India’s emerging health technology ecosystem. The broader challenge will be to ensure that digital tools are used responsibly and that the information they generate can be connected to suitable healthcare support. Access to a device alone does not guarantee access to treatment, and technology-led programmes will need to work alongside qualified medical professionals and existing health services.
For individuals using wearable devices, readings should be treated as information for discussion with a healthcare professional and not as a substitute for examination or prescribed care. People with symptoms or existing conditions should seek advice from a qualified doctor.
