Koita Centre for Digital Health - Ashoka University (KCDH-A)

Koita Centre for Ashoka University
(KCDH-A)

Koita Foundation, with Ashoka University established the Koita Centre for Digital Health at Ashoka University (KCDH-A - www.ashoka.edu.in). It is an interdisciplinary centre focused on advancing digital health research, education, and policy. Anchored in the departments of biosciences and computer science, KCDH-A is building capacity in areas such as health data systems, AI/ML in healthcare, genomics, and digital public health. The centre is working with academic, clinical, and public health partners to develop practical solutions that address real-world healthcare challenges. Through its teaching programs, research collaborations, and public engagement, KCDH-A aims to support the development of scalable, evidence-based digital health approaches tailored to India's needs.

Strategic Focus Areas:

  • Building Digital Health Capacity
    KCDH-A offers interdisciplinary programs to train students and professionals in health informatics, AI/ML, data systems and genomics, with an emphasis on practical application.
  • Research and Applied Projects
    The centre leads research in clinical decision support, public health data, wearables, and responsible AI, in collaboration with academic and clinical partners.
  • Supporting Implementation in Health Systems
    KCDH-A works with institutions to develop and adapt digital tools, frameworks, and training models suited to public health and healthcare delivery settings.

In a rapidly changing digital world, health will not be the same. That’s what KCDH A is trying to do; to go beyond simply delivering conventional healthcare through digital formats and reimagine the system.

Dr. Anurag Agrawal,
Head, Koita Centre for Digital Health (KCDH-A

Flagship Program and Initiatives

Academic Programs in Digital Health

KCDH-A has developed and launched interdisciplinary digital health courses across undergraduate levels, with over 150 students enrolled in 2025. A PhD program is underway, and new Master's and Executive Education programs in Applied Digital Health and Responsible AI are being planned.

Breakthrough Research Grants with Johns Hopkins GKII

KCDH-A has co-funded the breakthrough research grants programs with the Gupta Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Currently two pilot projects are underway. One focuses on forecasting demand for antiretroviral therapy using ML-based models, while the other uses LLMs and common data models to extract evidence from unstructured EHR data.

AI and Health Data Research Projects

Over 10 research projects are currently active across areas such as clinical decision support (e.g., IVF, asthma, palliative care), digital health readiness, nutrition, genomics, and AMR surveillance. Eight projects have received disclosed funding totalling ₹10.08 crore from ICMR, WHO, Grand Challenges India, and internal sources.

WHO-SEARO Collaboration on Youth-Focused Digital Health

KCDH-A is working with WHO-SEARO on digital-first systems to improve youth well-being. The collaboration includes technical guidance on health apps and wearables and the development of population-level data models.

Capacity Building and Public Engagement

KCDH-A co-hosted the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2025 with WHO-SEARO, hosted a Hands-On Training Workshop on Wastewater Surveillance of Pathogens with National Centre for Disease Control, and conducted a national-level AI and Data Science workshop in partnership with EXL, training 60+ participants. It also contributes to public discourse through podcasts, events, and digital health forums.