Apollo Hospitals to ensure agile and responsive healthcare delivery in 2022

As we begin 2022, there is an important takeaway from the past two years that will hold us in good stead through the new year. And that is to not let our guard down. The pandemic has shown that it is important for healthcare to remain agile and responsive at all times. Today, it is well recognized that the digital transformation of healthcare helped in ensuring timely adaption to challenges with continuum of care through the pandemic.

Apollo Hospitals returned to growth in 2021, recovering from the impact of the pandemic. Healthcare operations returned to pre-COVID levels. We were the trusted healthcare provider for every patient to turn to, with the confidence that Apollo Hospitals is always ready with the best doctors, medicines, and equipment to address any medical challenge. 2022 will see us continue on the path of industry-beating growth.

One of the pandemic’s major impacts is visible in technology enabling the provision of healthcare through this challenging period. India today has a significant population with access to healthcare services and data that might previously have been inaccessible or unaffordable. With over 600 million smartphones, increasing by ~4 percent every quarter, healthtech is playing a discernible role in enabling access to healthcare.

Healthtech, bolstered by technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and blockchain, is creating a new paradigm in healthcare delivery. Virtual care with remote monitoring through smart wearables and tools and platforms for both physicians and patients for secure sharing of relevant information are just some of the examples in the new health ecosystem.

This year will see the adoption of a new modality of healthcare delivery that encompasses the best of digital and traditional healthcare delivery and keeps the patient in focus to deliver a continuum of care that is efficient, flexible, and accessible. This new ‘hybrid’ model of healthcare delivery will be powered by a technological backbone that drives the integrated care system.

The digital face of the new model is represented by Apollo 24/7, an omnichannel healthcare platform offering a full bouquet of healthcare services – 24×7 consultation with Apollo doctors across specialties, home delivery of medicines, diagnostic test booking and home collection of samples, digital health records and more.

Apollo 24/7 is not only helping to expand our presence, but is also helping patients come into the system. We will continue to strengthen Apollo 24/7 and invest in customer acquisition and marketing.

While telemedicine will be a very important component of our healthcare delivery, adding value to our patients and ensuring they can reach us round the clock, we will also intensify our focus on other digital technology initiatives such as ProHealth and E-ICU, in line with our efforts to fight the relentless march of NCDs (non-communicable diseases).

Another is AICVD, the first-ever AI-powered Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score designed specifically to predict the risk of heart disease in the Indian population.

These digital efforts will be integrated with Apollo Hospitals’ network of 71 hospitals, providing world-class care at par with the best institutions globally, but at just one-tenth the cost.

As pioneers in bringing the latest medical technology to India, we will also continue to add to the best of modern medical technology in the fields of imaging, robotic surgery, proton therapy, and more.

Our initiatives will empower our physicians to stay one step ahead of health events and make increasingly precise diagnoses.

Overall, the year 2022 will see Apollo Hospitals continue on the path of digital transfor­mation to better meet patient needs through an accessible, efficient, and inclusive people-centered health system.