Technology in healthcare has the potential to reduce costs, and improve outcomes. A smarter, faster, more efficient, and convenient healthcare system can provide optimal care to millions across the globe who have remained underserved, shared Dr Sabahat S. Azim, Founder and Chairman of Glocal Healthcare Systems Private Limited with Kaanchi Chawla of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts:

The term “Glocal” beautifully captures both global and local aspects. How does Glocal Healthcare Systems embody this principle in its approach to healthcare?

We believe that our local healthcare problems have to be solved locally by the local people but the solutions have to be of global standards. At Glocal, we guarantee “global” standard healthcare in “local” areas. Our commitment is to provide affordable state-of-the-art, protocolised healthcare to the underserved areas where it is most needed. This is only possible with best in-class – “global standard” technology and approach.

With technology becoming integral to almost every aspect of our lives, how do you envision the intersection of healthcare and technology in the next decade?

Technology in healthcare has the potential to reduce costs, improve productivity and efficiency, speed medical research, and improve outcomes. A smarter, faster, more efficient, and convenient healthcare system can provide optimal care to millions across the globe who have remained underserved.

In healthcare, the pharma and medical equipment industry have already seen the use of advanced technology. However, healthcare delivery has remained a laggard. Healthcare services in clinics and hospitals are still being delivered in the age-old traditional way. The situation is ripe for a complete transformation of the way healthcare is delivered and consumed with the use of advanced technology in the coming decade. It is hard to predict what the future of healthcare delivery will look like, but it will certainly be unrecognisable from today’s. Technology can help healthcare providers by automating administrative and communication processes, freeing up valuable time for clinical and patient centric activities. In the next decade, it is unlikely that patients will visit clinics for primary care. Most procedures will either be high precision non-invasive or least invasive ones. It is possible that a lot of invasive and surgical procedures would be done in situ using nanobots or nano delivered precision medication. All this requires an overhauling of our attitudes.

Glocal’s approach is groundbreaking in many ways. How do you manage to ensure that advanced digital tools are made user-friendly for individuals who might be new to technology?

As I remarked earlier, healthcare delivery has not been up to the mark in the use of technology. We at Glocal are working for the development of the healthcare system of the future. Some pieces we have deployed but these are currently in a transitional stage in the use of digital tools. The digital tools are primarily used by remotely consulting doctors and on-site paramedics who are responsible for the digital dispensary’s (center’s) operations. The state-of-the-art clinical decision support system is based on semantic AI. However, it has been designed to resemble what people are accustomed to, serving as a transitional bridge to the version that will be eventually introduced. UI has been designed to be user-friendly for nontechnical users and provides guidance at every step. The digital medical devices are easier to use than the manual ones. The complexity is in the process of acquisition and transmission of medical data, which doesn’t have a user interface. Additionally, extensive training is provided to all users before they start using it on patients. Glocal also offers a real-time technology helpline that provides remote support to users.

The ease with which people adapt to our digital system is evident from the fact that many of our most efficient doctors have never used a computer or laptop before and the operators are local nurses and lab technicians who have adapted seamlessly.

What role do you believe AI and advanced analytics will play in the future of digital healthcare, and how is your organisation gearing up for this evolution?

Artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics have the potential to completely transform healthcare. It will drastically improve productivity, efficiency, outcomes, and inclusivity. It can speed up pharma research and development by simulating and analysing complex biological processes.

AI can enable virtual triage, automate administrative processes, and improve convenience and experience for both providers and patients. It is predicted that AI will take over 50 per cent of the doctors’ tasks. By processing and evaluating enormous amounts of historical and real-time data, AI can help medical professionals in the diagnosis, forecast risk for individuals as well as populations, and proactive intervention. The most immediate application of AI is in diagnostic imaging analysis. AI powered devices and applications already monitor patients and provide alerts and even medications based on real-time or predicted data.

Glocal is at the forefront of using technology in healthcare. We already use an AI-enabled semantic algorithm based Clinical Decision Support System – Litmus DX as the backbone of our healthcare delivery. It helps doctors in diagnosis, interpreting test results, assigning treatment protocols, and generating safe prescriptions by checking drug and food interactions. But our most ambitious project in AI and advanced analytics is codenamed Galactus, based on enormous amounts of diverse health data and is expected to:

i) Enable differential diagnosis and treatment not only based on technicalities but also focusing on outcomes.

ii) Transition to a more evidence-based individualised treatment than the current existing norms, which in some cases are quite arbitrary.

iii) Not absorb and process the personal data of patients to provide complete patient data privacy.

What is the next big milestone for Glocal Healthcare Systems in its quest to revolutionise digital healthcare accessibility?

The next big milestone for Glocal is the operationalization of Galactus the most advanced AI-based system which can revolutionise healthcare delivery and accessibility. It will change the way the hospitals and clinics look and function and how people access healthcare.

How do you envision the broader landscape of healthcare in India evolving, especially in relation to digital accessibility and inclusivity?

Glocal is not the only healthcare innovator in India. There are thousands of players working on digital accessibility and inclusivity in India. They are utilising advanced technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, extended reality, drones, point-of-care testing, and the Internet of Things to create and deliver innovative solutions and services. India has a high demand for affordable healthcare (a large underserved population). India has very high digital penetration with 759 million active internet users and rising every day. India has one of the lowest cost and highest consumption of internet data in the world. Roll out of 5G will further accelerate this process. We have qualified and competent professionals, willing to work at a much lower cost.

Hundreds of innovators are likely to succeed with varied solutions transforming healthcare delivery and bringing affordable healthcare to all. Compared to the advanced economies, India has all the ingredients for leading the digital revolution in healthcare. However, the regulatory environment has to provide sufficient space and freedom for innovation. Too early a rush for regulation may raise the barriers to entry, killing many frugal innovations and our chances of leading the world on this front.

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