1、Navigating privacy and protection in Indias digital healthcare ecosystem1PwCNavigating privacy and protection in Indias digital healthcare ecosystemFebruary 2026Foreword by PwCArnab BasuClients&Industries LeaderPwC IndiaThe digital healthcare ecosystem in India is evolving.Health information is amon

2、g the most important,sensitive,and powerful forms of personal data.It is important to recognise that digital health can advance sustainably only when it is built on the fundamental principles of transparency,accountability,and ethical stewardship.With the growing utilisation of digital technologies

3、in healthcare including AI,algorithms,virtual care platforms and connected medical devices,the responsibility to safeguard patient information becomes more of a moral imperative than a legal obligation.A privacy-first and security-by-design approach is hence not just an administrative formalityit is

4、 the foundation of future-ready healthcare.Strong governance frameworks,clearly articulated consent practices,and resilient mechanisms in cyber defence are essential for building trust in an era where data systems become deeply interconnected and cyber threats more refined.For innovators,suppliers a

5、nd healthcare providers,it is a call to reconsider operational processes,reinforce ethical guidelines,and incorporate privacy into every workflowfrom bedside documentation to cloud-based applications.As we step into a new era of digital health with the notification of Digital Personal Data Protectio

6、n(DPDP)Rules,India presents the potential to build an equitable,safe,and citizen-centric healthcare ecosystem.By adopting sensible and accountable practices in data handling,organisations protect the rights of individuals while strengthening the collective resistance of our health systems to malicio