Technology is revolutionising the landscape of preventive healthcare in India

Deepak Sahni, CEO, Healthians in an interaction with Kalyani Sharma talks about his company’s recent partnership with company’s recent partnership with Becton Dickinson (BD) to advance cervical cancer screening and more

Healthians completed a decade in the industry. What are some of the biggest lessons company have learned over the past ten years?

Over the course of a decade in the healthcare industry, Healthians has gleaned a multitude of invaluable insights and lessons that have shaped its trajectory and will undoubtedly continue to influence its future strategies and operations.

The first major realisation we’ve had is the concept that every home can effectively serve as a primary care setting. With the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our diagnostic processes, our overarching mission at Healthians is to empower individuals to proactively manage their health, all while nestled in the comfort of their own homes. This vision resonates with the rapidly emerging trend towards decentralised healthcare services, effectively breaking down traditional barriers in healthcare.

Secondly, we have discerned the potential of every device becoming a rich source of health data. The power of AI is not limited to diagnostics alone; its expansive capabilities also encompass continuous monitoring and insightful data-driven analytics. With this perspective, every device equipped with AI capabilities can potentially become a valuable tool in generating real-time health monitoring, ultimately enabling proactive and personalised healthcare interventions.

Lastly and most importantly, we’ve learned that building trust in the healthcare industry is anything but an immediate process; it’s a slow yet steady journey. Unlike sectors like e-commerce which can rapidly boom with extensive sales and marketing strategies, the healthcare industry necessitates a more gradual approach to growth and expansion. The establishment of a business in healthcare is inherently intertwined with the need to foster trust and ensure reliability. This process is not expedited by simply infusing large amounts of funding; rather, it requires time, patience, and unwavering commitment to quality care.

This slow-burn process of trust-building can be aptly compared to the growth of a Chinese bamboo plant. An embodiment of patience and perseverance, the Chinese bamboo grows rather slowly at first, requiring constant nurture and care. However, once a solid foundation is set, its growth accelerates rapidly. In the same vein, any startup venturing into the healthcare sector, including Healthians, needs to approach its growth with patience and long-term commitment.

We, at Healthians, have internalised this lesson and have accordingly structured our growth strategy. Our initial five years were primarily devoted to gaining the trust of our clients and establishing a strong reputation in the market. The next five years were focused on expanding our geographical reach, paving the way for a larger client base. As we complete our first decade, we are poised to scale up our operations, striving to reach out to an even wider demographic of customers.

These learnings have not only shaped Healthians’ journey thus far but are also the guiding principles for our future path in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare.

Healthians’ recent survey revealed an alarming cholesterol levels among Indians. What do you believe are the main factors contributing to this trend?

The recent survey conducted by Healthians is indeed concerning, revealing a rising trend of high bad cholesterol levels among Indians. I believe several factors contribute to this upward trend.

Firstly, dietary habits play a crucial role. The Indian diet is often rich in saturated fats and trans fats, commonly found in fried and processed foods. These unhealthy dietary choices lead to increased LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, contributing to the overall cholesterol burden.

Secondly, physical inactivity is a significant contributor. Sedentary lifestyles, with minimal physical activity, promote weight gain and obesity, which are known to increase cholesterol levels. The modern work culture often involves prolonged sitting hours, which exacerbates this issue.

Furthermore, stress, a prevalent aspect of today’s fast-paced life, contributes to the cholesterol problem. Increased stress levels can raise cholesterol indirectly by encouraging unhealthy coping habits, such as consuming high-fat comfort foods, smoking, or drinking alcohol excessively.

Genetics also play a part. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to higher cholesterol levels, despite leading healthy lifestyles. For these individuals, regular health check-ups are crucial for early detection and management.

Lastly, increasing age is a natural factor. As people age, the liver becomes less efficient at removing LDL cholesterol.

Definitely, the rise in cholesterol levels is concerning, but remember, we have control. It all comes down to healthier food choices, getting active, managing stress, and regular check-ups, especially if high cholesterol is in your genes. Every small step matters. Let’s inspire each other and build a healthier future. It’s about living well, not just longer! At Healthians, we are committed to raising awareness about these contributing factors and promoting a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Can you throw some light on the company’s recent partnership with Becton Dickinson (BD) to advance cervical cancer screening. What feedback have you received from women using the self-collection cervical cancer screening option at home?

Our recent partnership with BD, a global medical technology giant, is a significant development in our ongoing efforts to advance cervical cancer screening. We’ve jointly introduced a novel approach—the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling method. This method is more sensitive, accurate, and widely acceptable compared to traditional cervical cancer screening, a critical health service that, shockingly, less than 2 per cent of Indian women currently access.

We recognise that effectively combating this public health threat hinges on clearly informing women about the benefits of cervical screening, the correct self-sampling procedures, and the necessary follow-up actions. This initiative leverages Healthians’ extensive reach across 250+ Indian cities and BD’s technological expertise, aiming to significantly increase cervical cancer screening rates and, ultimately, decrease mortality from the disease in India.

As for feedback on the self-collection cervical cancer screening option at home, it’s still early days, and we’re in the process of gathering detailed user experiences. However, initial responses have been promising, indicating that this convenient, stress-free method is a welcome alternative to traditional screening procedures. We’re optimistic that this approach will lead to more women participating in regular cervical cancer screenings.

Can you explain the new video analysis feature launched by the company and how it enhances user understanding of their health reports?

At Healthians, we’re continuously innovating to make health reports more understandable and actionable for our users. With this in mind, we’ve introduced an AI-Powered Personalised Health Report Analysis in Video Format. This new feature transforms the conventional way of understanding health reports. Instead of a text-based report that could potentially be challenging to understand, users receive a video report that simplifies and visually articulates their health information.

The video report takes advantage of AI to deliver personalised analysis of health data. It clearly explains the implications of various health parameters, any abnormalities detected, and what they mean for the individual’s health. This clear, visual explanation is designed to ensure everyone can easily comprehend their health status.

But we go a step further. The report doesn’t just present the findings but also provides actionable health advice. This means users know exactly what steps they can take in response to their report findings, whether that’s lifestyle changes, further tests, or a consultation with a healthcare professional.

We believe that this new feature can dramatically enhance users’ understanding of their health reports. Through visual, easy-to-understand, and personalised information, we aim to empower individuals to take more informed and proactive steps toward better health. This video analysis feature can truly stand as one of the many reasons why people would prefer Healthians for their health test needs.

How do you see these technologies changing the landscape of preventive healthcare in India?

I strongly believe that technology, especially AI and ML, is revolutionising the landscape of preventive healthcare in India. This transformation is occurring in several critical areas.

Firstly, AI and ML have emerged as powerful tools in delivering predictive health recommendations. Their ability to analyse vast datasets and discern patterns and trends allows us to identify potential health risks much earlier than ever before. This signifies a major shift from the traditional reactive approach to health to a more proactive one, enabling us to suggest interventions even before conditions escalate into serious health issues. The ability of AI and ML to forecast potential health outcomes and alert patients about impending health risks is truly groundbreaking. This shift towards preemptive care ensures patients receive personalised, optimal care tailored to their specific health needs and risks.

Secondly, the application of AI in conducting comprehensive health analyses is fundamentally changing how we understand and interpret health parameters. AI allows for meticulous assessment of a broad range of parameters, quickly identifying abnormalities and potential health risks within vast datasets. What’s remarkable is that AI has the ability to detect conditions that might otherwise be missed in traditional diagnostic procedures. Advanced AI algorithms in diagnostics detect even minute variations in health parameters, leading to more accurate diagnoses. This has a profound impact on developing personalised treatment plans that contribute significantly to improved patient outcomes.

Thirdly, technology allows for a deep dive into historical health data and lifestyle habits. A comprehensive perspective on healthcare goes beyond just examining a patient’s immediate medical history or current health parameters. It looks at a patient’s entire health journey, considering their past health data and lifestyle habits. The evaluation of this rich, wide-ranging dataset facilitates a holistic understanding of a patient’s health. Healthcare providers can extract crucial insights on how alterations in lifestyle can dramatically improve health outcomes and foster long-term well-being. With this knowledge, patients are empowered to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle, further promoting a shift towards healthier living habits.

In conclusion, the influence of technology, specifically AI and ML, on the preventive healthcare landscape in India is truly transformative. It’s not just facilitating a shift from reactive to proactive care but also enabling personalized and effective healthcare solutions. As we harness the power of these technological advancements, we’re empowering patients with the knowledge and tools to prevent diseases and promote healthier lifestyles. By doing so, we’re not only revolutionising how we treat diseases but, more importantly, how we prevent them—envisioning a future of healthier, more informed societies and robust healthcare systems.

What future initiatives or innovations can we expect from Healthians in the coming years?

At Healthians, we are highly invested in advancing healthcare technology to make it more accessible, affordable, and personalised for everyone. We are continuously working on innovations like WelliO, a multimodal conversational AI chatbot with the ability to reference past health data. This feature allows users to have meaningful and insightful interactions regarding their health status, enabling them to make better decisions.

Additionally, our Lifestyle Disease Management module is another area of focus, which predicts trends in vital health indicators by analysing the user’s past report values and lifestyle data. This predictive feature helps users stay ahead of potential health risks and manage lifestyle diseases proactively.

By leveraging AI and other advanced technologies, our ultimate aim is to empower individuals with more personalised tools to take control of their health, while ensuring that our services reach the most underserved areas.