The unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak created utter challenges on traditional healthcare systems in India. Due to countrywide lockdown, citizens have not been able to consult with doctors physically. This situation led the government to change the regulations around remote delivery of healthcare services and allow telemedicine via video, audio or text.
Startups such as Practo, DocPrime, mFine, CallHealth and Lybrate were operating telemedicine services in India under a regulatory grey area. The clarity in the regulations around telemedicine will not only help these startups address the spread of coronavirus, while also improving access to healthcare among the rural class.
With an increase in the incidence of lifestyle diseases and rising healthcare costs, there’s immense pressure on the traditional healthcare system. Innovative technologies are allowing health organisations to enhance the access and reduce the burden on hospitals through real-time consultation with doctors through smartphones, tablets, laptops or PCs.
India has a shortage of around estimated 600K doctors and 2 Mn nurses, as per reports last year. India only has one government doctor for every 1,139 people, whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a ratio of 1:1,000. The shortage of doctors is limiting face-to-face consultations among patients. Secondly, India also has a shortage of hospital beds, which makes hospitalisation tricky, and there needs to be better facilities and infrastructure for cases where patients can be attended to via teleconsultation.
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Source: Inc42
