THD NewsDesk, New Delhi: A joint statement by BCG and FICCI titled “Leapfrogging to a Digital Healthcare System: Reimaging Healthcare for Every Indian” was published at the 14th FICCI HEAL, (the annual health conference organized by FICCI). The statement was delivered by Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, Honourable Vice President of India, Dr Sangita Reddy, President FICCI and joint MD Apollo Hospitals, and Mr Bart Janssens, Managing Director and Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group.
The report will be provided to Prime Minister’s Office, NITI Aayog, Chief Ministers, Health Ministers, State ministries and Secretaries both in the public and private sector.
Dr Sangita Reddy, President FICCI and joint MD, Apollo Hospitals stated, “There is an urgent need to shift to a new care delivery paradigm that leverages public technology infrastructure. That needs to be done while ensuring patient-centricity, and adequate digital security. It is great to see that this timely and pertinent report has been put together to drive active discussions amongst the stakeholders.”
Bart Janssens, Managing Director and Senior Partner, BCG said “We anticipate that over the next ten years, NDHM can unlock the incremental economic value of over USD 200 billion for the healthcare sector. Public and private ecosystem players will have to realign their operating models to capture this value and stay ahead of the curve. That will pave the way for more patient-centric solutions driving accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for all.”
Studies administered by BCG over doctors and patients called attention to that 85% of the clinicians uses digital programs for patient interactions during the lockdown. 50% of the clinicians found digital platforms to be an efficient method for providing care. Furthermore, 60% patients across tier 1 cities stated that they would stick to digital medium for primary services in the post COVID world due to the requisite advantages of less waiting time and easy access to qualified doctors. According to the reports, the lockdown period saw teleconsultation services being reached by over 2000 small towns, with 80% of patients using it for the first time.
Being at the edge of the digital 3.0 era of Open Digital Ecosystems that signifies a radical change in a way the government can enable gripping technology for public care delivery and private sector innovation. It involves the conception of a joint public digital infrastructure that can be strengthened by both public and private players. It would employ new solutions that would enhance the final experience for the user. The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), in the subsequent years, will breed a sturdy digital infrastructure for the Indian healthcare ecosystem. It will implement those measures just like the formation of shared digital infrastructure in the financial industry facilitate UPI payments. According to the report, approximately over the next decade, NDHM can probably unhitch an incremental value of INR 1.5 lakh crore for the healthcare industry.
Dr Indu Bhushan, CEO NHA and PM-JAY stated “With the guiding principles outlined in the National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB), the government has laid out a comprehensive strategy to bring a fundamental transformation in healthcare and open a range of market opportunities for all stakeholders. This report details out how the entire ecosystem will gain, and the industry will be galvanized as a result of the implementation of NDHB over the next few years.”
The report offers a cooperative approach to assure that various viewpoints across government bodies, private sector entities, developers, and the buyer community are brought to the vanguard. It intends to run vital stakeholder discussions to help hasten India’s drive towards a healthcare system that puts the patient around all solutions and push towards convenient, economical and top-notch healthcare.
Dr Alok Roy, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals said, “The need to accelerate changes in our health care system is an obvious inference of this pandemic. The advent of an open digital health ecosystem will unleash a new wave of innovation and transform the way primary healthcare is delivered in India. As illustrated in this detailed report, the health ODE will enable patients who are under-served by the physical healthcare infrastructure to access high-quality healthcare, by leveraging a common digital infrastructure.”
COVID-19 has immensely impacted our lives. In addition to our chaotic lives, the pandemic has also unveiled India’s delicate healthcare system and urgently improve all levels of healthcare, including primary care. In the times of misfortune, the pandemic has also promoted innovations, significantly in digital healthcare paradigms. From the telemedicine regulations declared in March 2020 to the initiation of national digital health ID in August 2020, we have just commenced seeing the digital age moulding itself in healthcare.
