In an increasingly interconnected world, many families face the challenge of managing healthcare for aging loved ones across borders. For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), ensuring timely and quality care for parents or relatives in India can feel like a daunting task. Anand Prakash, Founder and CEO of WhiteGlove, recognized this pain point through personal experience and set out to create a solution that bridges the gap between distance and healthcare. In this exclusive conversation with Dr. Asawari Savant of Elets News Network (ENN), Anand discusses how WhiteGlove is transforming the landscape of cross-border healthcare. Edited excerpts:

What inspired you to transition from your previous tech ventures, like SMSGupShup and Dropbox, to focus on healthcare with WhiteGlove?

My transition to healthcare with WhiteGlove stems from a dream to improve care for families abroad. I’ve traveled 8,000 miles to ensure my parents in India receive proper care—a challenge many face when pursuing education and careers abroad. The loss of my grandmother and uncle to preventable diseases due to late diagnosis further fueled my motivation. With WhiteGlove, I aim to ensure no family endures such loss from a lack of accessible, quality care.

As someone who has personally faced the challenges of managing healthcare for aging relatives from abroad, how does WhiteGlove address these pain points?

WhiteGlove simplifies remote healthcare management by connecting families to their loved ones’ health journeys. Our technology and network of vetted professionals offer 24/7 telehealth support, appointment management, and medication reminders. WhiteGlove digitizes health records for easy access to patient data, ensuring you’re informed at all times. Additionally, our close collaboration with local physicians ensures your loved ones receive timely care, providing peace of mind.

How does WhiteGlove’s platform simplify cross-border healthcare management, especially for NRIs looking after family members in India?

WhiteGlove streamlines cross-border healthcare for NRIs through an AI-driven platform. It digitizes patient health histories and connects families with vetted providers for seamless appointment scheduling and travel coordination. WhiteGlove pairs members with a dedicated doctor and care team who manage long-term health plans, coordinate specialist visits, and ensure quality control for all treatments. We also provide medication management and a healthcare roadmap that keeps families informed at all times.

What role does AI and digitization play in WhiteGlove’s ability to enhance healthcare services, particularly when it comes to coordinating care from afar?

Our platform uses AI for predictive health monitoring, identifying health risks early and enabling proactive care. Machine learning supports the creation of personalized healthcare plans, while digitized health records provide an accessible repository, ensuring you can track and manage care effortlessly. Additionally, AI automates scheduling and optimizes care pathways, making it easier for caregivers to stay informed and involved in treatment decisions, regardless of location.

What are some of the most common challenges Indians living abroad face when it comes to healthcare for their aging parents, and how does WhiteGlove provide solutions?

Some common challenges include a lack of digital health records, unnecessary treatments driven by financial incentives, and logistical issues like coordinating appointments, arranging transportation, and ensuring medications are taken. WhiteGlove offers solutions by digitizing health records, providing 24/7 support, arranging transportation, and managing appointments—all while keeping families informed and ensuring transparency in care decisions.

Your previous ventures were rooted in technology and communication. How do those experiences shape your approach to building WhiteGlove in the healthcare sector?

As the founding engineer and chief architect of GupShup, I developed scalable communication platforms—a crucial component for coordinating healthcare across continents. With DropTalk, I honed my skills in managing digital data, essential for digitizing and handling medical records. My time at LinkedIn involved scaling mobile infrastructure for millions, which is key to creating a reliable system for managing healthcare information. These experiences have equipped me to design a platform that simplifies international healthcare coordination and ensures accessible, high-quality care.

What makes India a fertile ground for WhiteGlove’s growth, and how do you see your platform evolving in the Indian healthcare ecosystem?

India offers significant growth potential for WhiteGlove due to ongoing healthcare challenges like physician shortages and inadequate preventive care. With over 5.4 million Indians living in the U.S. as of 2024, many struggle to coordinate care for aging relatives in India. WhiteGlove addresses these issues with a healthcare concierge service that integrates AI and telehealth for accessible, high-quality care. The Indian healthcare market, valued at over $370 billion in 2022, is projected to exceed $610 billion by 2026. WhiteGlove is positioned to grow in this market by partnering with leading health systems and expanding its services for expatriates and their families.

Also Read :- Transforming Healthcare in India Through Digital Innovations

Could you share some insights into the partnerships WhiteGlove is planning in India, and how they will enhance the service offering?

We are in discussions with several of the largest health systems in India to form strategic partnerships. These collaborations aim to strengthen our service by expanding our network of trusted healthcare providers. By partnering with top-tier health systems, WhiteGlove will be able to offer more seamless in-person care for patients, ensuring access to the highest quality medical professionals and facilities.

How do you ensure that WhiteGlove remains a highly personalized service while also leveraging technology like AI to scale operations across borders?

We prioritize personalization by blending human touch with advanced technology. Our AI-driven platform digitizes health records and conducts assessments for tailored care plans. Recognizing that technology alone isn’t enough, our dedicated healthcare professionals engage with patients through telehealth consultations to address individual concerns. Our customers will always have access to a real person for questions or concerns.

What are your future goals for WhiteGlove, and how do you envision expanding your services to meet the evolving needs of NRIs and their families?

We plan to expand our network of healthcare providers, integrate AI features, and explore opportunities in other countries with similar healthcare challenges. We aim to develop partnerships with major healthcare institutions and continuously improve our platform based on user feedback. Our mission is to enhance the healthcare system and bring a new level of preventive care to international markets.

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