Arthur D Little and NATHEALTH’s Digital Health report reveals that digital technology promises universal, affordable, quality healthcare for all Indian citizens
Arthur D Little, the global management consultancy firm, has jointly developed a report with NATHEALTH, titled India’s fast-evolving healthcare industry on the cusp of a consumer-driven digital revolution.
The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in healthcare. Exploring global trends and success stories, this report shares key insights into the current scenario, challenges, and opportunities in the digital healthcare ecosystem. For India, digital technology will be key in the transition to new paradigms of care such as patient-centric, preventive, personalised and integrated for all citizens. The report also presents the key findings from the ADL India Digital Health Consumer Survey and demystifies the “Indian Digital Health Consumer”.
Highlighting the findings of the report Barnik Chitran Maitra, Managing Partner & CEO, Arthur D. Little, India & South Asia said, “Nearly 400 million Indians have already used digital health solutions and services making India the global leader in digital health. Digitisation of healthcare can make it much more accessible and affordable in India. With a potential 1 billion Indian digital health users in 2030, healthcare providers, regulators, and investors need to act quickly to build the digital healthcare ecosystem.”
Launching the report, Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant said, “The demand already exists. However, supply lags well behind demand and it is now up to healthcare providers, start-ups, technology providers, investors, and other stakeholders to develop digital health offerings that meet and stimulate demand.”
The report recommends that healthcare providers develop “Digital First” strategies instead of “Digital as a Bolt-on” for existing facilities. Providers need to create digital health offerings that are fully integrated across the patient lifecycle –preventative health, patient-first contact, point-of-care delivery, post-care follow up, and recuperative care. They also need to build digitally-enabled supply chains that are resilient, scalable, and efficient. Regulators and policymakers could consider providing incentives and support for legacy players adopting digital services in collaboration with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. For investors, funding healthtech and insurtech startups, essential components of a vibrant digital health ecosystem, will prove to be profitable opportunities.