Healthcare for all should be a priority for all policymakers and statesmen. They have both the authority and funds to make this dream a reality. Today, all of us are facing the harsh reality of a scarcity of healthcare professionals across the country. This is most true for rural and remote locations– areas that need the most urgent medical help. What’s the future of digital healthcare in India?
Immediate Attention
With a dismal ratio of 1 doctor per 3000 patients, these numbers make us realise that something needs to be done fast. Add that to the fact that most of the country’s existing healthcare infrastructure is in urban zones. The zones which constitute only 27% of the total population leaving the majority 70% concentrated in rural areas unaided and bereft of proper and immediate medical attention.
Is Technology a Medical Saviour or a competent Medical Aide?
Given that the country faces the challenge to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all its citizens, we must look towards technology for some answers and much-needed help. With technology, we can finally realise our goal of universal health coverage (UHC) for all citizens of India.
COVID-19 brought in a huge tech wave in the country. From cashless, digital payments to on-demand daily life needs such as groceries and medicines, technology made a powerful impact on all of our lives. And this impact is observed even in the healthcare industry with doctors offering online consultations and advice. So, the change is here already.
India’s Secret Weapon– Superior Technology
Technology is all pervasive to help address India’s challenges in terms of accessibility, affordability, and quality. Frontline medical facilities have given enough confidence about technology being a boon in the healthcare sector. The resultant scale and impact can be immense.
India– the Medtech story
There are 7,849+ HealthTech startups in India. These range from online pharmacies to cloud-based solutions and mobile apps that offer virtual care networks, online doctor consultations, maintaining electronic health records, remote patient monitoring, and more.
Technology– A Game Changer
As per the Ministry of Health of India, the development of 50 technologies for the treatment of diseases like cancer and tuberculosis is in the pipeline. The government is also emphasising eHealth initiatives such as Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) and Mother and Child Tracking Facilitation Centre (MCTFC).
Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and the Internet of Things (IoT) have percolated into almost every aspect of healthcare today. So what are the benefits of using these technologies?
- Creation of Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Help improve care, reduce errors and also bring down medical costs and overall improve clinical outcomes.
- Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled technologies are helping the medical staff to reach across remote areas of the country. It allows for a high degree of geographic penetration and remote care made possible through the use of this technology.
- Shift in medical insurance coverage: the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) is now allowing reimbursement for outpatient departments (OPD) in some cases.
Government’s Push Towards Digitisation
The government is pushing tech for better healthcare for all of the population. In 2020, the government introduced the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). Also known as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the government is hoping to digitise all its citizens’ personal health information so that healthcare professionals in any part of the country can access their information and be better placed to offer the best medical care and advice.
Through this online portal, citizens can access various standardised digital healthcare services. Its features include the introduction of Digi Doctor, the Health Facility Register, Personal Health Records, and Electronic Medical Records. Since its introduction, 24,54,39,322 million health records have been registered.
Future of Digital Healthcare in India
With the ongoing strong push for digitisation, several scenarios will come up with the backing of the government:
- Cashless will be the new king of the land and the most preferred payment mode for most medical procedures
- Machines will prove to be superior assistants to doctors, helping them save more lives in less time
- Technology will validate and endorse human judgement and decision-making
- Access and affordability will rise tenfold across the country making quality healthcare not just a dream but a ground reality for all
Smile Foundation and Healthcare
Smile Foundation dares to fulfill the healthcare for all dream through its Health Cannot Wait initiative. Help us in making the healthcare dream a reality.
