On the eve of Doctors’ Day, Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Genome India Mission has already completed genome sequencing of over 10,000 individuals and is progressing towards building one of the world’s largest genomic databases.

Addressing a special Doctors’ Day Conclave, Dr Singh said India’s unique genetic diversity, scientific ecosystem and emerging technologies are driving the next generation of affordable, patient-centric healthcare. He emphasised that healthcare is entering a transformative era in which treatment will increasingly be tailored to an individual’s genetic profile, lifestyle and environmental factors.

The Minister said India is steadily developing homegrown solutions to global health challenges through gene therapy, nuclear medicine and other emerging technologies. He added that precision medicine and personalised healthcare will enable accurate diagnosis, targeted therapies and improved patient outcomes.

Dr Singh said Indian researchers have successfully demonstrated gene therapy for haemophilia, while gene medicine and nuclear medicine are set to transform disease management. Highlighting the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), he said AI is accelerating advancements in genome sequencing, biomedical research, disease diagnosis, telemedicine and medical education by improving data analysis and clinical decision-making.

He also noted that India is moving from manufacturing medicines to developing new drugs through indigenous research and innovation, supported by initiatives such as the BioE3 Policy and the Bio-RIDE Mission.