As we gear for a New Year, Express Healthcare presents a retrospective view of the articles carried in 2017. It is an initiative to make you to pause and ponder on the events, advancements and issues that were crucial to the healthcare sector last year. It would help us learn from the past and prepare for the new developments, innovations, trends and new challenges that will impact the industry in 2018
Technology was a major growth driver in 2017. It acted as a catalyst and a disruptor which led to significant transformations within the healthcare industry across the globe. While several patients received online video consultation without having to visit doctors’ premises, thousands could use their mobile phones as diagnostic tools.
Digital technologies such as IOT, cloud computing, AI, 3D printing and more dominated several clinical and research applications. Several healthtech start-ups came into being and tried to make their mark in an industry which is undergoing a metamorphosis. The industry saw newer models of healthcare delivery as well as medical innovations that brought down the cost and enhanced the quality of healthcare. We, as a leading publication in this sector, analysed these trends and attempted to provide an in-depth understanding of how these technologies have facilitated the sector’s progress.
To cite an example, our June issue’s cover story focussed on the need for doctors to learn and adopt technology to efficiently deal with medical records, create apps to monitor their patients and leverage the potential of coding to tackle clinical problems.
In another instance, we interviewed 3D printing expert Tanmay Shah, Head of Innovations, Imaginarium Life. It helped in understanding more about the reliability and efficiency of 3D printing technology in clinical practice. It also aided in clearing the misconceptions and myths around this subject.
Our articles have also covered other technology trends such as growing relevance of AI in healthcare, use of blockchain technology to improve EHR management and much more.
In our other articles and interviews featuring key opinion leaders from the industry, we highlighted how linking Aadhaar data can give better healthcare outcomes and how the Indian healthcare sector is facing a huge challenge in improving the usability of big data. Thus, we looked at the opportunities offered by technology and the challenges that need to be tackled to unleash its benefits in healthcare.
Public health service should be as fully organised and as universally incorporated into our governmental system as is public education.
The returns are a thousand fold in economic benefits, and infinitely more in reduction of suffering and promotion of human happiness
– Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States
In a country which is striving to extend the reach of healthcare services to over 1.2 billion citizens, the importance of an efficient public health system cannot be overemphasised. Express Healthcare, the leading chronicler of the healthcare industry in India, has therefore been committed towards fortifying the country’s public healthcare sector and ensuring the welfare of the masses.
Hence, we have kept tabs on the various projects undertaken by the stakeholders, be it by government organisations or NGOs to monitor and facilitate progress. Time and again, we have featured various public health initiatives and examined their efficacy and effectiveness in achieving their goals.
Taking a step further, we have also launched a platform to drive a movement in public healthcare. Called Healthcare Sabha, it brings together the leaders, experts and veterans of the industry to enable thoughtleadership in ensuring universal healthcare coverage and augmenting the role of public healthcare to achieve this objective. Check out the exclusive coverage of the event in our March 2017 issue.
In another article, we analysed the provisions of theAarogya Maharashtra initiative and appraised its ability to achieve its objectives. It also carried recommendations that can help improve the project and augment its outcomes.
The next article drew attention to healthcare PSUs and their hitherto unleveraged potential to reform public healthcare in the country. It also looked at the steps that are already being implemented to enable PSUs to take their rightful place and play a significant role in the creation of a strong, effectively fuctioning healthcare system in India.
Likewise, the article, ‘Against all Odds’ was a very interesting piece on how improved hospital infrastructure and incentivising healthcare professionals are driving positive changes in a district in Chhattisgarh. Thus, noteworthy national and state endeavours have found a place in our articles and features throughout the year.
The Indian healthcare industry is growing at a rapid pace. As a result, we are witnessing several transformations across various segments of healthcare, from data documentation to clinical practices. The year 2017 too saw the emergence of several trends which may eventually shape the industry in the future. As a critical industry, it has to continuously evolve to keep pace up with the changing demands, be it meeting patients expectations or changing disease profiles. From digitalisation to taking steps towards ensuring affordability with quality, the industry grew in multiple aspects. Express Healthcare never misses to keep a tab on these advancements. Be it meaningful collaborations between the private and the public sector or companies shaking off their shackles by coming up with IPOs, we have kept a track of all the latest happenings in the Indian healthcare space. Developments such as the rise of tech-enabled healthcare start-ups were also featured in our magazine to enable our readers to gain informative insights which would revolutionise both, preventive as well as curative care.
For instance, this year, we informed our readers about the evolving role of hospital pharmacies and how they can significantly impact a hospital’s revenue cycle.
In yet another article, we highlighted the need for healthcare organisations to engage in talent management to be future ready. Express Healthcare has also attempted to foresee how the sector will be shaped in the coming times. To cite an example, we aimed to unravel the upcoming hubs for foreign tourists and identified Rajasthan as a potential medical tourism destination. Don’t forget to read through the article on how PPP models like HLL seem essential to provide access to affordable care in a densely populated nation like India.
Express Healthcare, thus raised the curtain on the various future trends which could aid in transforming the healthcare sector.
Evolution is the law of policies: Darwin said it, Socrates endorsed it, Cuvier proved it and established it for all time in his paper on ‘The Survival of the Fittest.’ These are illustrious names, this is a mighty doctrine: nothing can ever remove it from its firm base, nothing dissolve it, but evolution
– Mark Twain, American author and humorist
A governing body plays an integral role in the smooth running of any nation. More so, in a country as vast as India, the government shoulders immense responsibilities for providing and regulating an efficient healthcare delivery system.
Being a watchdog, every year, Express Healthcare notifies its readers about the amendments in regulations and policies. Collaborating with experts and healthcare leaders, we bring you the clarity on recent developments which will play a key role in reforming the healthcare scenario.
In 2017, we analysed how the government is taking steps to achieve better quality healthcare while working towards accessibility. Experts like Siddharth Nath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Health Minister and Satyendar Jain, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of NCT, of Delhi elucidated about their states’ initiatives, which will help to improve healthcare outcomes in their states.
In another interview with Dr Vijay Satbir Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Government of Maharashtra, we found out how they are aiming to achieve their vision of Arogya Maharashtra.
Express Healthcare also keeps a track of the international amendments in the regulations which will impact the Indian healthcare sector.
For instance, 2017 saw the reinstatement of Global Gag Rule by the US President, Donald Trump, which was anticipated to severely hamper access to legal abortion and the repercussions would be felt on family planning and reproductive health in developing countries.
Understanding its importance and how it will affect India, we brought our readers’ expert opinions which will help shape their views on the subject.
The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the times does not
– Niccolò Machiavelli, Italian diplomat and politician
Building and sustaining a profitable as well as fast-growing business isn’t a cake walk. All the more so for healthcare organisations and enterprises as they have to be sustainable and profitable without denting its image and appearing as a profiteering organisation.
Therefore, Express Healthcare makes it a point to identify and laud noteworthy growth strategies which healthcare companies have utilised to add value to their business. The above mentioned articles are cases in point.
Early this year we discovered that some of the major medtech players have opted to rebrand their businesses to focus on specific areas such as innovation, incubation and research. Some even hived off their healthcare businesses from the parent company as a growth strategy. Our observation was that there is a compelling link between strong brands and market performance. Which is why, all these moves proved to be fruitful to their businesses, adding to their profit margins and earning them good brand equity. However, the missing factor was the cost-effectiveness of products. Our April issue examined these strategies and raised pertinent questions on will medtech players be willing to consider price control to make medical devices and equipment affordable.
In our August issue, we looked at how onsite hospital pharmacies are business critical to any hospital and investing in its upliftment will ensure sustainable RoI.
In our September issue, we covered various initiatives taken by the private and public sectors to collaborate and come up with viable healthcare delivery models that would be accessible and affordable to all.
As India gears for future opportunities and challenges, we have also organised our annual healthcare business summit – Healthcare Senate 2017. It was attended by India’s leading experts and key opinion leaders to enable the creation of a future ready healthcare sector for India. Check out the exclusive coverage of the event in the October issue of the 2017.
Incredible things in the business world are never made by a single person, but by a team.
– Steve Jobs, Apple Co-founder
Companies that grow for the sake of growth or that expand into areas outside their core business strategy often stumble. On the other hand, companies that build scale for the benefit of their customers and shareholders more often succeed over time
– Jamie Dimon, President, and CEO, JP Morgan Chase
Raising awareness versus raising alarm; the public can’t be better informed if the information isn’t better.
– TK Naliaka
Express Healthcare has always been bold to speak its mind. Be it through our editorials or our analysis, each month we have put forward our views hoping to draw attention to all major issues faced by the healthcare sector in India. In January, we highlighted the biggest issue faced by the healthcare sector, both in the public health and the private sector domain- shortage of doctors. In our articles we analysed the current situation and asked experts to provide insights on ways to resolve the issue.
Ironically, in a country that is battling with the shortage of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals we continue to often experience events such as doctors and healthcare providers being assualted and resident doctors going on strike. Another article, ‘Thinking beyond a strike,’ highlighted those flaws in our medical system and the uncertainty surrounding the security of medical professionals call for concrete measures to bring back trust among doctors and patients. We also raised an alarm on the irregularities in Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College, Uttar Pradesh based on a report published by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The article on ‘Could the Gorakhpur tragedy been averted? ‘ decoded the CAG report and brought to light that four hospitals including BRD parked their funds in Lucknow’s Kasturba Gandhi Medical Unit (KGMU) in violation of rules, resulting in delay in realisation of funds. The article also analysed other aspects such as the encephalitis angle and more to find out the root cause of the issue. Our editorials have taken a bold stand on the publicity hype on the Eqyptian medical tourism case of Eman Ahmed which led to an industry debate on how important it is for India’s healthcare sector to build the right perception for the country. It also, pointed out the role of the media to be the disseminator of right and crucial information. Going forward, we also picked up one of the scariest threats that Indian healthcare could face — breach or hacking of health information. The article on ‘Are you afraid of the dark?’ pointed out that there is an urgent need to invest intensively in cyber security.
It is impossible to progress without change, and those who do not change their minds can not change anything.
– Sir George Bernard Shaw, Irish author, and playwright
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much
– Helen Keller
Express Healthcare has consistently been the voice of many prominent experts who enjoy sharing their opinions with the industry. Over the years, Express Healthcare has emerged as the platform where all the stakeholders of the healthcare industry assert and affirm their stance about the various happenings in the sector. We have been relentless in our attempts to keep our readers abreast about a rapidly evolving sector. Thankfully, the dynamism of the industry and the fact that it is undergoing a transition has ensured the emergence of new-age leaders with avantgarde views.
Express Healthcare also interacted with multiple stakeholders associated to healthcare as they envisage the growth of the sector, be it globally or within India.
We present a few cases which proves our stance. In the first article, Yogesh Pai, Assistant Professor of Law and Co-Director, Centre for Innovation, IP and Competition, NLU Delhi elaborates on India’s current situation on access to patented medicines in the light of its compliance with IP laws, trade norms and public health. He also highlights the need to create an ecosystem which will foster innovation as that would be pivotal to ensure continuous progress in the lifesciences sector.
In another instance, Mayank Bathwal, CEO, Aditya Birla Health Insurance draws attention to low penetration of insurance in the country and points out that extending the reach of medical insurance to its populace is essential for any country which is striving to enable Universal Health Coverage for its citizens. He also highlights multiple factors that have led to low penetration of health insurance in the nation, which in turn have led to steep costs of healthcare and out-of-pocket expenses.
These thoughtleaders through their invaluable insights have been instrumental in bringing about gradual reforms in the Indian healthcare sector. Express Healthcare has been the bridge between the leaders and readers, ensuring that the learnings gained get implemented for accelerated progress.
In 2017, we witnessed the healthcare industry in India undergo a gradual shift from a curative to a value driven sector. All delivery models surrounded on providing value to patients rather than just providing cure for ailments. In the process of providing value, many unexplored areas of medical science took centre stage. Regenerative medicine, genomics, and many other areas of medical sciences were explored in order to improve clinical outcomes. Moreover, with convergence of digital technologies in healthcare, research in these areas gained more prominence.
Express Healthcare tracked these trends and sought to provide a deep understanding of its impact on the future. The above mentioned articles are examples of how digital technologies have enabled and augmented growth in some medical disciplines such as genomics and radiology.
The article on AI in radiology analysed its functions, benefits and disadvantages in diagnostic imaging. It also looked at how AI in imaging diagnostics can help bring down diagnostic costs.
The article on Decoding Genomics talked about various technologies that are currently being utilised in genome sequencing and examined how innovations in the digital era are aiding genomics. It said that Digital Genome, Artificial Intelligence and Genetic Engineering Techniques will be game-changers in the future. It also brought to light opportunities awaiting for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Big Data Analytics, Internet of Things and Cloud Computing to support the building of a grand database which could be significant in reducing the disease burden in the future.
In this way, Express Healthcare gave an insight into the new direction that healthcare delivery will take and highlighted the areas of growth.
Express Healthcare has always kept a track of the people and projects which are enabling progress. Throughout 18 years of our existence, we have covered the leaders and gamechangers in the sector. We have tracked the disruptors and the innovators. In 2017 as well, India’s healthcare sector saw the rise of several new ventures helmed by smart and dynamic entrepreneurs who could be the newsmakers and leaders of tomorrow. Express Healthcare has made it a point to give them a platform to showcase their project and chronicle their progress.
The two articles above are examples of the same. The first one is a case study which tracks the potential of a fitness management start-up called Goqii and the vision of its founder, Vishal Gondal. The other one is about the foray of KEF Holdings, a major player in the Middle East into Indian healthcare. As they set-up their first hospital in Coimbatore, Express Healthcare spoke to their Founder and Chairman, Faizal E Kottikollan to understand their plans for the Indian market.
Both the articles also gave insights on the various growth strategies adopted by different players in the industry. While one sought to prevent and delay the onset of diseases through healthy living, the other one sought to enable world-class, tertiary care to patients.
Several such players and their ventures have been part of Express Healthcare’s coverage in 2017. They showcased how Indian healthcare sector is brimming with growth potential and demonstrated how they have chosen to gain an edge in an increasingly competitive environment.
Thus, Express Healthcare, through its articles and interviews, has trained the spotlight on interesting and promising ventures as well as identified the trendsetters and the visionaries who could steer the sector towards growth and glory.