By Dr KC Gurudev & Mudit Dandwate
The remarkable contributions of healthcare professionals continue to play a vital role in improving the well-being of millions of people in the country. Doctors have emerged as the driving force behind the integration of digital technologies in healthcare. As domain experts, they are partnering with ‘Made in India’ startups to provide insights, validate solutions, and ensure their practical implementation in real-world scenarios. This collaboration has resulted in the creation of groundbreaking technologies, ranging from contactless and continuous remote patient monitoring solutions to AI-driven diagnostic tools. Thus, the trifecta of artificial intelligence (AI), Startup India, and government policies are playing a pivotal role in revolutionising the healthcare landscape.
State of Affairs:
Despite the Indian healthcare industry growing at double-digit rates and evolving significantly in the last decade, several challenges need to be addressed in providing access to quality, affordable healthcare in the country. The Indian healthcare industry reached USD 190 billion in 2020, and according to the India Brand Equity Foundation, it is expected to reach USD 370 billion by 2024–2025. The products and services driving this growth include greater demand for higher-quality healthcare facilities, medical devices, clinical trials, telemedicine, medical tourism, health insurance, and medical equipment. But despite further room for development, we lag behind several BRIC countries in terms of meeting the demand for access to equitable healthcare. For example, the country has 1.3 hospital beds per 1000 people against China’s 3.8, and we have 0.7 doctors per 1000 people versus USA’s 2.5, down from a high of 1.2 doctors for every 1000 patients in 1991.
Complex Challenges:
According to the Lancet Medical Journal’s Global Burden of Disease Study, India ranks 145th among 195 countries surveyed. (In some good news, India’s healthcare access and quality index score has improved recently, increasing from 44.8 (out of 100) in 2015 to 67.3 in 2020.) Meanwhile, healthcare services in rural India are not readily available, with the average rural Indian traveling over 62 miles to receive affordable treatment at the nearest facility. The rural-urban divide when it comes to access to resources is more pronounced in specialised care, as surgeons, pediatricians, and gynecologists are hard to come by in far-flung towns and villages. The scarcity of doctors only exacerbates other issues and strains the infrastructure to its breaking point.
While India’s market has undergone significant economic growth over the last 25 years, it remains difficult to navigate. India tends to be a price-competitive market and produces primarily low- to mid-tech products (we import 75 per cent–80 per cent of imaging and patient monitoring devices and implants, pushing up healthcare costs). International competition has also been rigid, and India is often described as a ‘crossroads’ market in the middle of many production and trade routes. The primary challenge, therefore, for companies in India is to produce medical devices that are both cost competitive and effective to increase penetration and use.
These difficulties—while being hindrances—have opened doors to innovation, enabling the convergence of AI, Startup India, and government policies to bring about sweeping changes.
Emerging Healthtech Startups:
Medical devices play a role not only in remote patient monitoring, screening, diagnosing and treating patients but also in restoring them to normal lives. Innovative healthcare startups have noticed a gap, and there appears to be a rush to invent creative, and effective medical devices to provide solutions. The country’s vibrant startup ecosystem has lately witnessed a surge in such startups, bridging critical holes in healthcare delivery. These startups are leveraging AI, machine learning, and data analytics to develop answers that improve diagnostics, personalised medicine, remote patient monitoring, and healthcare accessibility.
While the heavy reliance on imported medical devices has posed challenges in terms of cost and accessibility, the focus on ‘Make in India’ is changing matters. It presents a platform for the sector to revisit the operating model, identify key imperatives for growth and explore possibilities for creating a step change in the medical devices sector, eventually replicating the success of automotive and electronics manufacturing. Additionally, the National Medical Device Policy supports domestic production, emphasising the need for reliable and reasonably priced medical devices tailored to the specific requirements of the Indian population. By supporting a thriving ecosystem of indigenous medical device manufacturers, we can address the scarcity of doctors by equipping them with advanced, indigenous devices that enhance patient safety and care. With the government’s aid, startups can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and democratise healthcare across the country.
Policy to the Rescue:
Recognising the transformative potential of healthtech startups, the Indian government has introduced several policies to encourage growth and innovation in the medical sector. For instance, the National Health Data Management (NHDM) policy aims to establish a robust data ecosystem for effective health data management, privacy, and security. This policy enables startups to access and analyse anonymised patient data, thereby facilitating research, development, and the creation of data-driven healthcare solutions.
Staying with the trend of keeping things close to home, the Indian government’s newly introduced PLI scheme in medical device manufacturing aims to encourage domestic manufacturing, attract considerable investments, and reduce reliance on imports in the industry. Furthermore, the central government unveiled the National Medical Devices Policy 2023 intending to grow the market from USD 11 billion to USD 50 billion by 2030 while achieving a 10 per cent–12 per cent global market share over the next 25 years.
Tapping into Artificial Intelligence:
The government’s vision of ‘Make AI in India’ and ‘Make AI Work for India’ focuses on fostering indigenous AI research, development, and deployment. By promoting AI innovation in healthcare, the government aims to manage the lack of doctors, improve diagnosis accuracy, optimise treatment plans, and enhance patient outcomes. These initiatives encourage partnerships between startups, academia, and healthcare providers, ensuring that AI technologies—which are inevitable—meet the distinct needs and challenges of the Indian healthcare system.
The Role of Doctors as Foundation Stones:
In this era of new-age healthcare technologies and multiple executive blueprints, doctors remain the foundation stones leading healthcare change in India. Their expertise, clinical acumen, and patient-centric approach are essential in effectively leveraging the potential of contemporary technology and creative ideas. By collaborating with innovators and embracing emerging technologies, doctors can amplify their impact, improve patient care, and bridge the gap between technology and clinical practice. In turn, healthtech innovators can co-create solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also aligned with the specific needs of patients and healthcare providers in India.
Together, for Everyone:
Doctors are the visionaries who are leading the digital health revolution in India, having embraced the power of AI, collaborated with ‘Made in India’ startups, and leveraged supportive government policies to drive innovation and transform healthcare delivery. The emergence of healthtech startups, supported by favorable government policies, paves the way for innovative solutions to address the scarcity of doctors and improve healthcare accessibility. Together, doctors, innovators, and policymakers can drive a total healthcare revolution, ensuring a healthier and brighter future for the nation.
Dr KC Gurudev, President, MS Ramaiah Memorial Hospital and Mudit Dandwate, CEO & Co-Founder, Dozee
(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are sole of the author and ETHealthworld does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHealthworld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly)
