OECD report Scaling Artificial Intelligence in Health a landmark report outlining how governments can move AI from pilot projects to national-scale healthcare systems. While AI shows significant potential in areas such as drug discovery and early diagnosis, the report notes that only 18% of OECD countries currently have a dedicated national strategy for AI in health.
The report also highlights India’s recent policy initiative, the Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India (SAHI), launched in February 2026. The framework is built on five pillars: Governance, Evidence Generation, Digital Infrastructure, Workforce Readiness, and Ecosystem Enablement, positioning India within the emerging global landscape of regulated and large-scale AI adoption in healthcare.
OECD Policy Checklist for Scaling AI
Strengthening data and infrastructure: Countries are encouraged to build robust data systems and digital infrastructure capable of supporting AI deployment across healthcare institutions.
Establishing regulatory guardrails: The framework emphasises oversight mechanisms to manage risks such as algorithmic bias and clinical errors in AI-assisted decision-making.
Building public trust: Public engagement remains critical. Countries such as Denmark are using citizen panels to involve users in decisions on how AI is deployed in healthcare systems.
Accelerating approvals: Mechanisms like France’s PECAN scheme aim to fast-track the evaluation and adoption of digital health tools.
Strengthening workforce readiness: Only 29% of countries currently have programmes to train healthcare professionals in AI use, highlighting a key capacity gap.
What is the "SAHI" Strategy?
The SAHI (Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India) is a national framework developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to guide the safe and effective use of AI in healthcare systems.
It outlines principles for data governance, infrastructure development, and clinical validation, ensuring that AI tools are integrated into healthcare delivery without compromising patient safety or privacy. The framework also aligns with initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, enabling interoperability and data-driven innovation.
In practice, SAHI aims to support the development of validated medical AI tools, while addressing systemic challenges such as limited access to specialist care, particularly in underserved regions.
Policy Relevance: Balancing AI Innovation with Safety and Access
Human-centric AI integration: Both the OECD framework and India’s SAHI strategy emphasise the role of AI as a decision-support tool, supported by investments in workforce readiness.
Strengthening health data systems: SAHI’s focus on digital and data infrastructure seeks to address fragmented health data systems and improve interoperability for AI deployment.
Convergence with global guidance: The SAHI framework incorporates several principles also highlighted in OECD guidance, particularly around governance, infrastructure, and workforce readiness.
Expanding equitable access: The ecosystem enablement pillar focuses on extending AI-enabled tools beyond urban centres, with potential to improve access to care in underserved regions.
Follow The Full Paper Here: OECD: Scaling Artificial Intelligence in Health