Technology Steering Medicine & Healthcare In India
The importance of health in India dates back to not just a few centuries ago. Medicine and Health hold importance in India dating back to the First century CE. Modern medicine found its roots in India in the 16th century and progressed through the 19th century and since then there has been no looking back. The underlying belief that good health is an investment in human resources has been encouraged in improving the healthcare of its masses. From having only 7000 hospitals to cater to an entire nation at the time of independence to leveraging technology for e-consultations, telemedicine, and augmenting VR (Virtual Reality) in medical training in just 75 years is jaw-dropping progress.
Technology dominates the future of healthcare with developments in medicines, vaccines, appliances, and treatments which solve problems and enhance the quality of life. Digital adaptations bestow opportunities for accuracy and efficiency along with cost optimisation.
A technologically integrated healthcare system across all verticals involving HER (Electronic Health Record), remote monitoring, enhanced communications, and DSS(Decisions Support Systems) can hasten India's progress further. The Arogya Setu Application proved to be a great initiative and a remarkable example of collaboration between the Government, industry, academia, and citizens.
Driven by the force to improve health awareness, treatments, medications, and overall patient experiences India is leaving no stone unturned. Covid 19 pandemic accelerated the execution of the efforts to digitally progress through missions such as the National Digital Health Mission. New Healthtech and Medtech firms are bringing about a steady change and digitally transforming the healthcare industry across all verticals. The last 75 years have witnessed impressive achievements owing to technological advancements. Following are examples of the triumphs achieved through persistent efforts.
Disease Eradication
India has accomplished a very difficult feat and achieved a breakthrough in the eradication of diseases like Polio, Smallpox, and Guinea Worm Diseases. From accounting for 60 per cent of global polio cases in 2009 to being declared polio-free in 2014, is a major accomplishment.
Extensive micro-planning and immunization activities with the help of technology have helped achieve commendable results. Success in such endeavors is coveted through Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Government of India along with other stakeholders.
Reduction in Mortality with technological Progress
Devices such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), Ventilators, and Oxygen Concentrators have proven to be critical innovations in the prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrests. Major airports and stations in India have now begun installations of AEDs which play an indispensable part in saving lives caused by cardiac arrests.
Better access to health infrastructure, nutrition, and improved drugs highlights the role of technology in reducing the IMR (Infant Mortality Rate).
Technology in Implants and Prosthetics
Indigenous developments in the field of 3D printing, Knee and hip implants, pacemakers and stents in the field of cardiovascular diseases, breast implants, dental implants, and more are finding accurate aid and procedures with the help of technology and innovations.
With new inventions and advanced prostheses, mechanical failures, costs of repairs, and replacements are expected to diminish thereby promising durable and affordable healthcare to those with limb amputations and disabilities.
Electronic Health Records
In September 2013, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) released the first set of electronic health record (EHR) standards for India. To support timely maintenance and promote interoperability, EHRs are a necessary digital advancement to track a patient's clinical progress. Although challenging, the government, as well as private medical bodies, are developing various systems for maintaining standard and secure EHRs to enable efficient workflow of health services to the population anytime, anywhere. Cloud Technology adopted by established hospitals makes record maintenance and sharing easier leading to the elimination of paper documentation and manual processes.
Adoption of Artificial Intelligence and VR / AR in Healthcare
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics are reshaping the Indian Healthtech industry. AI-enabled functions such as Automated Analysis of medical tests, predictive diagnosis, and sensor-based monitoring equipment are transforming the medical-related processes in India. As the world wonders if Artificial Intelligence will replace Human Doctors, the assistance and contribution of AI to the medical field has certainly made it an integral part of healthcare. Robotics is gaining momentum with robot assistants during surgery and telepresence robots that aid in medical examinations. We are witnessing an incredible change in the field of medicine with the new technologies of AI and Robotics in Healthcare.
Combining Virtual and Real environments the immersive technology of Virtual Reality is fascinating as it transforms patient lives and medical training along with lowering expenses. VR is finding great applications in visualization procedures like endoscopy and bronchoscopy giving a realistic 3D visualization to assist medical professionals. It is also gaining traction in computer-assisted surgeries, radiotherapy planning, dentistry, and rehabilitation. AR and VR are promising technologies that fundamentally change how medical examinations and prognoses may be conducted in the future. The pandemic led to the realization of the need for a bigger and better-trained workforce in healthcare which is imperative and technology such as VR and AI make a great impact with scalable training and diagnostic solutions.
The last 75 years in India have witnessed dramatic developments in healthcare and medicine. Although Covid 19 hastened the acceptance of digitization across primary, secondary, and tertiary care, the government, the private sectors, the new age startup businesses, the pharma industries, and all other stakeholders have contributed to this paradigm shift in the development of healthcare and medical treatment to the 1.38 billion people in India. The global health-tech market is expected to reach $655 billion by 2025, and India's Health-tech sector factors in significant contributions. This is no ordinary feat for a country that gained its independence not even a century ago. This is an absolute indication of the efforts taken by a country that gives importance and respect to health and health givers alike.
