New Delhi: India has emerged as one of the most AI-ready healthcare markets in the Asia-Pacific region, with consumers increasingly using generative artificial intelligence tools to understand medical conditions, prepare for consultations and navigate healthcare services, according to a report by Bain & Company.
The report, titled 2026 Asia-Pacific Front Line of Healthcare Report, highlights a growing shift towards digitally enabled and patient-centric healthcare as rising demand and workforce shortages place pressure on healthcare systems across the region.
According to the study, 78 per cent of Indian consumers use GenAI to better understand diagnoses and treatment options. Around 73 per cent use AI tools to prepare for doctor appointments, while 72 per cent rely on them to navigate the healthcare system.
The findings suggest that Indian consumers are placing increasing importance on convenience and coordination in healthcare delivery. Nearly 88 per cent of respondents said they expect more convenient healthcare experiences, while 79 per cent want doctors to be accessible through channels such as phone calls, messaging platforms and email. Additionally, 93 per cent expressed a preference for a single point of coordination throughout their healthcare journey.
The report notes that consumers across Asia-Pacific are becoming more proactive in managing their health. Three out of five respondents now schedule regular health check-ups and screenings, up from 47 per cent in 2023. In India, interest in preventive healthcare is particularly strong, with 89 per cent of respondents prioritising lifestyle changes and preventive measures.
The survey also found that younger consumers are driving digital health adoption. About 66 per cent of Gen Z respondents reported using online pharmacies and showed greater engagement with AI-enabled healthcare services compared with other age groups.
Bain & Company’s Global Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice Head, Vikram Kapur, said healthcare systems across the region are reaching a critical juncture as rising demand, workforce shortages and fragmented care models converge. He said the focus must now shift from expanding access alone to redesigning how healthcare is delivered and coordinated.
Dhruv Sukhrani, Head of Bain & Company’s India Healthcare & Life Sciences practice, said Indian consumers are increasingly taking charge of their wellbeing, with higher spending on nutrition, fitness and preventive health measures. He added that growing adoption of GenAI is reshaping how people engage with healthcare services.
The report is based on responses from 6,300 consumers across nine Asia-Pacific markets and 600 doctors in the region. It concludes that AI-enabled healthcare solutions are gaining traction and could help reduce administrative burdens on clinicians while improving efficiency and patient experience.
(With agency inputs from PTI)
