The patient monitoring market is an expanding and profitable sector in the global healthcare industry. Driving growth in this segment are wireless and ambulatory monitoring and micro electromechanical systems, promoted by an increased desire for flexibility. Globally, the US remains the largest patient monitoring market. In 2008, it was valued at US $2.4 billion and is forecast to grow by 4.3 percent annually during 2008 to 2015, to reach US $3.6 billion. Most of the demand, in the global market, is originating from the emerging economies. India and China are forecast to grow faster than the average, driven by rise in the number of hospitals and large chronic disease populations. In India, estimated market size is roughly around `230 crores. The Cover Story in this issue provides extensive market data in addition to the key opportunities and challenges and the latest trends and technologies in patient monitoring.

In India, health insurance has been the fastest growing segments in the non-life insurance space. The sector is now, also emerging as a significant line of business for the life insurance companies and all the major life insurance companies are now rolling out health insurance products into the market. At present, 17 general insurance and three health insurance companies are selling health insurance. As per reports, during 2009-10 the total gross premium is expected to have touched `8100 crore. This issue covers in length about health insurance industry in India with a focus on government initiatives in this space.

With an objective to capture the leaders’ thoughts, this issue also covers interviews with Dr S Vijayakumar, Special Secretary at the Health and Family Welfare Department in Tamil Nadu and Babu Ahamed, CEO, Aarogyasri Health Care Trust. Dr Vijayakumar talks about the Kalaignar Health Insurance Scheme, which has saved the lives of several poor people in Tamil Nadu. Launched in July 2009, the scheme today covers around 1.35 crore BPL families in the state. An overview of Aarogyasri , which is a unique insurance scheme launched by Government of Andhra Pradesh to provide free treatment to BPL population of the state providing cashless treatment for 938 identified surgeries/therapies, is provided by Babu Ahamed. In the Spotlight section, Jagannath MS, CFO, Columbia Asia Hospitals, discusses the innovative design of Columbia Asia Hospitals and its aim to become the future hub of healthcare.

Hope you enjoy reading this issue.

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