Shaping India’s Healthcare Future- Trends in 2024

Shaping India’s Healthcare Future: Trends in 2024

By Dr. Vivek Desai

As India charts its course toward achieving a Rs 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2024-25, the significance of healthcare as a key driver of national growth comes into focus. The landscape of Indian healthcare is undergoing rapid advancements, with notable changes anticipated in 2024. Among these changes are ground breaking developments in preventative care and wearable technologies, the transformative influence of IoT, ML, and AI in healthcare, an increase in Electronic Health Records (EHR) and the growing prominence of geriatric healthcare as a key specialty, among others

Shift from Curative to Preventive Healthcare – The Role of Wearable Technology:

Projections suggest that India’s preventive healthcare sector is on track to reach a substantial USD 197 billion by 2025, boasting a commendable CAGR of 22%. A crucial driver of this transformation is the widespread adoption of wearable technology, including fitness trackers and smartwatches, empowering individuals to monitor their health in real time.

Innovation in wearable technology are particularly vital for the expanding elderly population, these devices address concerns like fall detection, diabetes tracking, heart health, sleep patterns which can be a chronic concern for the aging populations. This technology is only expected to get better as efforts are increasingly honing in on preventive interventions for the aging demographic, with innovations extending to even mental health monitoring through wearable devices equipped with sensors detecting physiological indicators.

Another upside of the integration of wearables into preventive healthcare strategies is that it instills a sense of personal responsibility for health maintenance, with individuals actively engaging in their well-being based on continuous health data feedback. This proactive shift is poised to alleviate the strain on healthcare systems, propelling us towards a healthcare landscape focused on sustaining health rather than merely treating illness.

Geriatric Healthcare as a Key Specialty:

According to the ‘India Ageing Report 2023’ India’s ageing population is expected to double by 2050 to 20.8% of the total population. This growing aging demographic is accompanied by a surge in age-related health challenges.

India faces unique geriatric healthcare demands due to its diverse population and varying healthcare infrastructure. Efforts are underway to address these challenges. India has initiated programs like the National Programme for the Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) to enhance healthcare for older adults. However, there is a growing need for more geriatric specialists, infrastructure development, and community-based interventions to ensure comprehensive care.

As the aging population burgeons, the geriatric healthcare sector in India is poised to become a critical specialty, necessitating policy reforms and strategic investments to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the elderly population.

Regulation of Medical Education:

As medical colleges continue to sprout across India, it becomes increasingly crucial to regulate the quality of medical education. The primary focus lies in improving curriculum, faculty training, and accreditation processes to nurture skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals. A significant stride in this direction is the recent government mandate, set to take effect in the 2024-25 academic session. Both government and private medical colleges will undergo assessment by the Quality Council of India, with ratings based on the quality of education they provide. This proactive measure aims to bring about accountability, ensuring adherence to high standards and assisting students in making informed choices about their medical education. By taking such steps, we not only address the immediate need for standardized practices but also lay the foundation for a more responsible and proficient medical education landscape in the country.

Universal Health Coverage and Private Sector Incentives:

Achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 demands a strategic collaboration with private hospitals, making their active participation integral. In India, a significant portion of healthcare services is provided by the private sector. In such a scenario, incentivizing private hospitals to impanel under government health schemes becomes imperative. Government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) exemplify this approach, aiming to cover over 500 million individuals for secondary and tertiary healthcare. There is a thought process within the government to bring in India’s middle income also under same/similar scheme. If this happens then it will be a game changer as this tsegment is he mainstay for private hospitals.

Incentivizing private hospitals not only expands the reach of healthcare services but also enhances the overall quality and efficiency of care. Through financial incentives, streamlined reimbursement mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks, the government can encourage private hospitals to contribute substantially to UHC goals. This collaborative approach would ensure a comprehensive and inclusive healthcare system, aligning with the broader vision of universal health coverage.

The Impact of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission on creating a Centralised Health Recording System:

EHR or Electronic Health Record is a system that holistically records one’s health data which can be accessed by multiple health providers any where at any time.

It has been a challenge for India to maintain such a centralised health recording system, however with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, it seems like a possibility.

The patient is required to link his or her ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) Card with the Aadhaar to enable the recording pricess. The government has introduced a system to ensure that the patient’s data remains confidential, accessible only with consent, and protected against misuse. This encourages enrollment in ABHA, fostering an efficientEHRsystem.

This unified repository of health records minimizes redundant tests and reduces healthcare costs, benefitting both patients and providers.

Increased Consolidation in the Hospital Sector:

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are making a strong comeback in India’s healthcare sector, with over 150 transactions in 2022. This resurgence holds the promise of reshaping the landscape of hospitals. The formation of larger entities through these mergers can lead to more efficient operations and services, taking advantage of economies of scale and optimizing the use of resources.

Consolidation allows for centralizing administrative functions, reducing redundancy, and promoting cost-effectiveness. The resulting pooled resources also enable strategic investments in advanced technologies, fostering innovation and improving patient care. Moreover, streamlined operations empower hospitals to negotiate better deals, potentially lowering overall healthcare costs. However, effective management during this consolidation is crucial to ensure a smooth continuity of care, uphold quality standards, and address challenges related to workforce integration.

Integration of AI, IoT, and Machine Learning:

Advanced technologies such as AI, Machine Learning(ML) and IoT are on the brink of reshaping healthcare delivery in ways previously unimaginable. AI’s ability to make decisions based on data is set to transform diagnostics, treatment planning, and predictive analytics. For instance, AI technology has developed to detect breast cancer in mammograms 20% more than double reading by two different radiologists.

Simultaneously, innovations such as real-time monitoring and fluid device communication enabled by IoT are particularly vital for addressing healthcare challenges in India’s diverse geographical and demographic contexts.

Additionally, ML’s capacity to analyze complex medical data contributes to early disease detection and tailoring treatments to individuals cannot be ignored. The collaboration of AI, IoT, and ML not only bridges healthcare gaps but also optimizes resource utilization, paving the way for a resilient and technologically advanced healthcare system in India. Embracing these innovations marks a significant leap forward, promising enhanced patient care, cost-effectiveness, and overall improved health outcomes for the nation.

As India aims for economic milestones; strategic initiatives, collaborations, and technological advancements steer the healthcare sector towards a resilient and promising future.

(The author is a Founder & Managing Director, HOSMAC. Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of the FinancialExpress.com.)