India Emerges as a Leading AI-Ready Healthcare Market in APAC, ETHealthworld

June 18, 2026 Headlinesnews

New Delhi: India’s healthcare sector has emerged as one of the most AI-ready markets in the Aisa-Pacific region, as consumers increasingly use GenAI to better understand diagnoses and treatment options, as per Bain & Company’s 2026 Asia-Pacific Front Line of Healthcare Report.

The report found that AI adoption for healthcare was particularly strong in India, with 78 per cent of consumers using GenAI to better understand diagnoses and treatment options.

While 73% use AI tools to prepare for appointments, and 72% leverage it to navigate the healthcare system.

The study revealed that Gen Z was the driving force behind the digital health adoption, as 66 per cent of the respondents in the age group said they use online pharmacies and demonstrated higher engagement with AI-enabled healthcare tools and services.

The report also highlighted a larger trend of consumers increasingly taking a proactive role in managing their health while expecting more convenience, responsiveness and coordination from the healthcare system.

According to Bain, these expectations were even more pronounced in India, as nearly 88 per cent consumers expect more convenient healthcare experiences, 79 per cent expect phone and messaging accessibility from doctors, and 93 per cent want a single point of coordination across their healthcare journey.

Healthcare affordability and access remain key challenges in India, as 43 per cent said high costs were a leading pain point. While 42 per cent cited long wait times at care sites and 30% said delays in securing appointments added to their troubles.

Fragmentation of the sector added an extra layer of complexity as more than 45% of consumers reported difficulties navigating the healthcare system, and 62% cited they often need to consult multiple providers before receiving the right diagnosis or treatment plan, the report said.

“The region’s healthcare systems are approaching an inflection point where rising demand, workforce scarcity and fragmented care delivery models are converging at the same time. Consumers and clinicians are increasingly open to AI-enabled support, but technology alone will not resolve the structural pressures facing healthcare systems,” said Vikram Kapur, head of Bain & Company’s Global Healthcare & Life Sciences practice.