Padam (Sundar) Kafle, Head of Innovation, Aster DM Healthcare

Padam Kafle is a visionary healthcare innovator, technologist, and leader in Super Intelligence (SI)-driven healthcare transformation. As the Head of IT, Automation at Aster Hospitals UAE & Oman and Head of Innovation at Aster DM healthcare, he spearheads groundbreaking projects in predictive healthcare, decentralized patient records, and SI-driven clinical decision support systems. Padam is the inventor of PAHSI, a GenSI-powered personalized healthcare ecosystem, revolutionizing patient care with proactive intelligence. Recognized among Global Sustainability Change-Makers and CIO100 Honorees and more than 100 technological leadership awards, he is dedicated to extending healthy life expectancy beyond 100 years through knowledge-powered superintelligence, automation, and next-generation healthcare technologies.

Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Padam shared insights on the role of Web3 technologies in shaping the future of healthcare, the inspiration behind developing PAHSI, the secret mantra behind his success, personal hobbies and interests, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.

Hi Padam. What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare IT, and how have you seen the field evolve over time?

My journey into healthcare IT began with a deep realization that technology has the power to redefine how care is delivered. Coming from a background where innovation was not just a tool but a necessity to improve lives, I saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between technology and healthcare. Over the years, I have witnessed healthcare IT evolve from basic digitization to predictive intelligence, shifting from simple data collection to real-time decision-making. The rise of SI, blockchain, and automation is pushing us toward a proactive, personalized, and preventive healthcare model. My goal has always been to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that technology doesn’t just support healthcare but fundamentally transforms it.

What do you love the most about your current role?

What excites me the most about my role is the ability to shape the future of healthcare through technology. I’m not just implementing solutions; I’m driving innovation that has a direct impact on patient care. Whether it’s PAHSI, automation frameworks, ALIF (Advanced Life Integrated Framework), or predictive analytics models, every project I work on is not just about improving efficiency but about saving lives. Seeing the tangible difference my work makes for patients, doctors, and hospitals fuels my passion and keeps me pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

What do you believe are the most significant challenges facing the healthcare IT field today, and how can leaders like yourself address them?

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare IT today is interoperability. Healthcare systems still struggle to communicate seamlessly, making universal standards and decentralized models like Web3 a necessity for truly integrated care. Another pressing issue is data privacy and security. As we digitize more, patient data becomes increasingly vulnerable, making end-to-end encryption, decentralized records, and SI-driven threat detection essential. Additionally, resistance to change remains a significant hurdle. Technology evolves faster than organizations can adapt, which is why leadership must drive cultural change alongside technological upgrades. Scalability is another key challenge; SI and automation can revolutionize healthcare, but only if they are accessible and cost-effective for facilities of all sizes. As leaders, we must anticipate these challenges before they arise, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and ensure that every innovation aligns with real healthcare needs.

What role do you believe Web3 technologies will play in shaping the future of healthcare, and how can healthcare organizations prepare for this shift?

Web3 is poised to revolutionize healthcare by decentralizing patient data and eliminating the need for middlemen. Imagine a system where medical records aren’t stored in hospital databases but are instead securely maintained on a blockchain, accessible only by authorized caregivers and the patient. This would eliminate data breaches and allow for seamless and secure data sharing. To prepare for this shift, healthcare organizations must start adopting decentralized identity management so that patients truly own their health records. Smart contracts should be used for billing and insurance claims to reduce fraud and streamline processes. Blockchain can be leveraged to track pharmaceuticals in the supply chain, eliminating counterfeit drugs. Most importantly, healthcare professionals must be trained on SI and blockchain concepts to ensure they are ready for the future. Personally, I am working on Web3 models for decentralized patient records, which I believe will be a major step toward secure and accessible healthcare.

What inspired you to develop PAHSI, a GenAI-powered system designed to deliver personalized healthcare services?

PAHSI was born from a bold vision: healthcare should not be reactive; it should be predictive and personalized. Most healthcare systems today focus on treating patients after they get sick. PAHSI was designed to change this by analyzing health patterns, predicting potential risks, and recommending preventive actions before symptoms even appear. Inspired by superintelligence, PAHSI is not just another healthtech solution—it is a life-extending ecosystem that aligns with the vision of global healthcare leaders such as Dr. Moopen, Dr. Sherbaz, and the visionary leader of the UAE, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The focus is no longer on treating illness but on achieving true healthcare by preventing disease and enhancing the quality of life.

How do you see your work in healthcare IT and innovation contributing to the broader goal of improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall quality of care?

Every project I work on is centered around improving patient care. SI, automation, and analytics have the potential to reduce misdiagnosis by enhancing clinical decision-making. Early disease detection, powered by SI, can prevent costly and life-threatening complications before they develop. Optimizing hospital workflows ensures that doctors spend more time with patients rather than on paperwork. Personalized healthcare powered by SI enables real-time insights tailored to each patient’s unique needs. The broader goal is to increase healthy life expectancy beyond 100 years, and I firmly believe that SI-driven superintelligence will be the key to making this a reality.

You were recently recognized as the “Sustainability Global Change-Makers Award” in 2025 and one of the Honorees at the prestigious CIO100 Awards UAE. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.

The secret is simple—never settle. Keep innovating and solve real problems. I don’t chase awards; I chase impact. When you work on something meaningful, recognition follows naturally. My approach has always been to think big but execute pragmatically, surround myself with people smarter than me, learn from failures, adapt quickly, and never stop challenging the status quo. Success in healthcare IT is not about individual achievements; it is about how much you can transform an industry. In healthcare, there is no finish line for care and quality. The more you do, the greater the opportunity to make a lasting impact. When I write code, I remind myself that each piece of logic is going to impact hundreds of thousands of people. Even though I am not a doctor, nurse, or paramedic, I am still contributing to making healthcare faster, smarter, and more effective through innovation.

Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?

Success is never achieved alone. I have been fortunate to have incredible mentors, colleagues, and family members who have supported me throughout my journey. Dr. Sherbaz Bichu has been a key influence, inspiring me to push the boundaries of SI-driven healthcare innovation. My uncle, T.P. Khanal, instilled in me from childhood that there is no limit to gaining knowledge and that learning should be a lifelong pursuit. My grandfather’s resilience, my parents’ unwavering support, and my grandmother’s wisdom have all shaped who I am today. My grandmother, despite having little formal education, taught me life lessons that surpass even my doctorate research. She instilled in me the values of integrity and truthfulness—principles that have guided me through every challenge and success.

What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?

I believe in pushing human limits, which is why I take on extreme adventures such as trekking Mt. Kailash, fasting challenges, and endurance training. Beyond that, I enjoy mentoring tech startups, exploring ethical applications of SI, and spending quality time with my family. Staying curious beyond one’s domain fuels innovation, and I find inspiration in constantly exploring new challenges.

What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself five years from now?

My ultimate goal is to lead the transformation of healthcare through knowledge-driven superintelligence. In five years, I envision running the world’s first decentralized healthcare superintelligence system, most likely powered by PAHSI 3.0. I aim to redefine clinical decision-making by leveraging SI to ensure zero misdiagnosis. Expanding ALIF into a global healthcare intelligence powerhouse is another milestone I am working towards. Additionally, I want to contribute to Web3 innovations in healthcare, making decentralized patient records a reality. My mission is clear—use superintelligence to make healthcare truly care about individuals.

What advice would you give to individuals looking to break into the healthcare IT field or transition into a leadership role?

Mastering both technology and healthcare is crucial. Being good at IT alone is not enough; one must also understand the medical world. It is essential to think patient-first, ensuring that every solution developed has a direct impact on improving lives. Embracing SI and automation is key, as the future belongs to those who leverage machine intelligence for human well-being. Never stop learning because healthcare is evolving rapidly. Leadership is not about titles—it is about solving the problems no one else dares to tackle. If you can do that, success will come to you.

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