In recent years, healthcare has emerged as a vital area of concern for governments and citizens alike. The COVID-19 pandemic has further emphasized the need for accessible and affordable healthcare. However, the healthcare sector faces two interconnected challenges: healthcare accessibility and affordability. This creates a dichotomy where what is accessible is often not affordable, and what is affordable may not be easily accessible. To bridge this gap, innovative solutions are needed, shared Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Sr. Advisor, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India at the 11th Elets Healthcare Innovation Summit & Awards, New Delhi.
He commenced his Keynote Address by stating, “The National Digital Health Mission plays a crucial role in addressing healthcare access and affordability challenges in a structured manner. It aims to expand healthcare beyond traditional hospitals by utilising teleconsultations, telemedicine, and other digital tools, thereby reaching underserved areas like rural and hilly regions with limited access to high-end healthcare facilities. Furthermore, digitising health records is a key focus, although there are challenges to overcome in this aspect.”
He further added, “An important objective of the mission is to empower patients and enhance the doctor-patient relationship for seamless healthcare delivery. By equipping patients with knowledge and facilitating effective communication with healthcare providers, better outcomes can be achieved. The introduction of health apps and devices, such as digital watches, has advanced health monitoring capabilities. However, ensuring reliability and accuracy remains a concern that necessitates further development and validation”.
The past few years have witnessed a significant influx of healthcare startups, with around 8,000 out of 12,000 startups in India operating in the healthcare sector. This surge in entrepreneurial activity highlights the pressing need for innovation in healthcare. Startups are playing a crucial role in developing and implementing novel solutions to enhance accessibility and affordability.
He further expressed, “Implementing EMRs is critical for maintaining comprehensive medical records and facilitating efficient healthcare delivery. However, several challenges hinder their widespread adoption. Emergency situations often require immediate care, leaving little time for patients to provide detailed medical history. The time spent on filling forms and recording patient data can reduce the time available for actual diagnosis and treatment, exacerbating the burden on healthcare professionals. Insufficient manpower and time constraints further hinder the effective recording and storage of medical data, affecting the quality of care provided.”
He was of the belief that technological disruptions, such as AI, ML, blockchain, and robotics, hold immense potential for revolutionising healthcare. These tools can enable the creation and utilisation of digital health records, easing the burden on patients and healthcare institutions. AI-enabled analytics can help analyse vast amounts of data, providing valuable insights for personalised and efficient healthcare delivery. Developing a national data repository integrated with AI tools would eliminate the need for patients to carry out their medical histories and facilitate seamless access to information for healthcare providers.
He further averred, “In India, the traditional practice of doctors relying on memory for prescribing medication based on specific diseases is becoming outdated. The continuous advancements in medicine necessitate an updated understanding of the correlation between drugs and diseases. Access to accurate and up-to-date information is crucial for healthcare providers to make informed decisions about prescriptions, emphasising the need for integration with digital platforms.”
Concluding the address he shed light on India’s recent launch of the National Quantum Mission which holds promise for revolutionising healthcare, particularly in the area of sensors. Quantum sensors can significantly enhance detection accuracy and speed, making them invaluable tools in various healthcare applications. For instance, they can aid in the early and accurate diagnosis of neurological disorders, which are expected to become a leading cause of death in the coming years.
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