International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH), along with the Telangana state Research Collaboration network, organised a full-day consultation workshop on Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission 2.0, for the National Health Authority on August 29, 2025. The Theme for the consultation workshop was “Strengthening Data Standards and Interoperability for Public and Private Healthcare: Tackling Adoption Barriers and Enabling India’s AI Health Future”. Thought leaders and researchers from RICH, IIIT Hyderabad, ISB, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad, IIT Hyderabad, NIT Warangal and NALSAR are part of the Telangana Research Collaboration network.
The workshop included a presentation by Vikram Pagaria, Director, NHA, on the background, conception, technology, adoption, initiatives and accomplishments of ABDM 1.0 and goals for ABDM 2.0. Sandeep K Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad, addressed the gathering and emphasised the resolve of IIIT Hyderabad to be at the forefront of digital innovation in healthcare and listed the institute’s efforts and work relating to the space. The panellists included members from the National Health Authority (NHA), State Government, Research Institutions, Private Healthcare Providers, Public Health Institutions, NGOs, Medical colleges and Health tech companies.
Participants deliberated on use cases enabled by ABDM and how they can empower the citizen and enhance care. Areas covered included inpatient care settings, emergency care and home-based care. Researchers emphasised the need for India-specific open datasets and pondered how ABDM could enable the creation of such datasets for AI research on healthcare with appropriate safeguards. The technology and infrastructure demands involved in the successful rollout of ABDM services were also discussed.
The panel also discussed data and interoperability standards as well as current efforts towards enhancing awareness, and deliberated on the role that academic institutions could play in furthering these. The current challenges and related incentives that could enhance the adoption of ABDM for it to realise full value – across the value chain – were discussed. The need for showcasing value by releasing whitepapers in public and private settings by engaging with Academic institutions, was suggested. The need for long-term and sustainable measures, beyond incentives for initial adoption, was suggested.
The deliberations will be compiled into a whitepaper that will be shared with NHA.