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AI tool to improve health care delivery in rural India
The tool is designed to address gaps in access, staffing, and service delivery in remote areas.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 11, Feb 2026
- 12:28 EST
- 9
Prithvi Parthasarathy / Penn Today
An undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania has developed an innovative artificial intelligence–based triage tool that aims to improve patient flow and care delivery at high-volume rural hospitals in southern India.
Prithvi Parthasarathy, a fourth-year neuroscience major at the University of Pennsylvania, designed the AI triage system during a summer internship at the Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
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The hospital serves large rural and underserved populations and faces persistent challenges related to patient volume, long wait times, and inefficient referral pathways. Parthasarathy’s AI tool was designed to address these system-level bottlenecks by improving how patients are routed upon arrival.
“I’m really interested in not only being a physician but also bringing the health care system to the patients, and designing the system aspects as well,” Parthasarathy told the University press.
The tool builds on an existing hospital entry algorithm by integrating patient medical records and symptom reporting to guide nurses in directing patients to the appropriate clinics and specialists. The system generates a personalized care pathway for each patient, reducing unnecessary referrals and delays, according to the university.
“I wanted to chart out their exact path from A-to-Z in the general clinic from the moment they step into the hospital,” Parthasarathy said.
During his internship, Parthasarathy surveyed physicians and administrators and observed patient movement through hospital entry points. He found that patients were frequently sent to incorrect kiosks or specialists, contributing to congestion and extended wait times.
The AI triage system was piloted to help address these inefficiencies, particularly for older patients who may face added stress from long waits and repeated referrals.
Parthasarathy, who understands Tamil, also conducted direct patient interactions to inform the design of the tool. “Connecting with patients on a personal level,” he said, “was deeply rewarding.”
Hospital staff are now testing the triage software in smaller care facilities within the Aravind health system, with plans to expand its use across additional locations.
The project reflects Parthasarathy’s broader interest in healthcare systems design and patient-centered care. “I want to focus on improving how patients experience care,” he said.
Parthasarathy is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania and an accelerated master’s degree in bioengineering at Penn Engineering. He is also completing a minor in health care management through the Wharton School.
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