Outlook for India’s health sector in the coming years

India’s healthcare sector in the coming years, will continue to make the shift from hospital-based, cure-focused to prevention and health promotion. Artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) will allow wearable devices to transition from devices that track vital parameters like heart rate and blood oxygen levels to smart watches that can perform complicated scans, such as ECGs, and even predict the risk of heart attacks by tracking blood pressure. Digital wearable devices capable of identifying signs of possible mental ailments will also be developed. Such devices will interpret physical indicators, such as heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns to identify when an individual may be at risk of anxiety disorders or depression.

Increasingly, it will be patients with acute illness who will predominantly avail hospital-based services, while those with chronic ailments will be monitored continuously and remotely through wearables and other smart devices. Integrative medicine departments could become more common in hospitals. Integrative medicine combines modern medicine approaches with alternative systems like Yoga and Ayurveda.

The specialties of palliative care and psycho-oncology are also likely to assume greater importance in the future. As chronic conditions, including certain cancers, become more prevalent, palliation of disease symptoms and side effects of treatment are increasingly a felt need for many patients. Efforts must be made to create awareness among patients that palliation does not equal end-of-life care, and should in fact be an integral part of any treatment from the outset. Similarly, any chronic ailment, including metastatic cancer, impacts not only the physical health of an individual but equally his/her mental wellbeing too. With the right treatment, it is now possible for many Stage-4 cancer patients to also live for several years. Given this increased longevity, it is imperative that their quality of life, which includes their mental health, is ensured.

Of course, there remains a tremendous need for hospital services to be provided in rural and remote areas, beyond the upscale urban hospitals. Medical devices of all kinds must all be made available in these areas at reasonable rates. The government is incentivizing the setting up of hospitals in public-private partnership mode in Tier-II and Tier-III urban centers as well as rural areas across the country as part of the Ayushman Bharat initiative. A production-linked incentive scheme has also been launched for encouraging the manufacturing of medical devices in India.

As far as laboratories are concerned, there will likely be heightened demand for preventive screening and wellness packages by individuals as well as employers. Advanced and precision diagnostics will be developed, which can provide results more quickly and accurately. Screening for various ailments can be transformed by combining portable screening devices with AI.

For instance, Qure.ai is a breakthrough AI solution provider that is disrupting the radiology status quo by enhancing imaging accuracy and improving health outcomes with the assistance of machine-supported tools. Qure.ai taps deep learning technology to provide automated interpretation of radiology examinations like x-rays, CTs, and ultrasound scans for time- and resource-strapped medical imaging professionals – enabling faster diagnosis and speed to treatment. Qure.ai is helping make healthcare more accessible and affordable.

Virtual healthcare will also continue to be an important area for India post Covid. AI-based algorithms enable patients to connect with health providers and access customized solutions best tailored to their prevailing health status. Telemedicine will expand as will initiatives, such as tele-ICUs through which specialist expertise can be made available to doctors in rural areas.

In the coming years, India’s healthcare space is also likely to be impacted by 5G, especially in areas like remote surgery. With ultra-low latency internet powered by 5G, a health professional could operate on a patient located in a different continent through equipment that mimics the health professional’s movements instantaneously.

Finally, India’s health system needs to gear up for aging. As per the report of the Technical Group on Population Projections for India and States 2011–2036, state-wise data on the elderly population of 21 major states reveals that Kerala has the maximum proportion of elderly people in its population (16.5%) followed by Tamil Nadu (13.6%), Himachal Pradesh (13.1%), Punjab (12.6%), and Andhra Pradesh (12.4%) in 2021. For the year 2031, the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation projects that the maximum proportion of elderly people in the population is projected for Kerala (20.9%) followed by Tamil Nadu (18.2%), Himachal Pradesh (17.1%), Andhra Pradesh (16.4%), and Punjab (16.2%).

The demand for healthcare services to be delivered at the doorstep is likely to increase. For instance, the Gujarat government launched a unique health plan for the elderly, wherein they can access health monitoring at their doorstep. Those above 70 years of age need to get themselves registered with a government hospital by paying a token amount of ₹1000 and are subsequently provided all basic health facilities at their doorstep.

Long-term care, which involves services designed to meet a person’s health or personal care needs when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own, is also likely to become more important. It can be home-based or community/residential care. Home-based care provided by family members can be supplemented by formal caregivers, such as nurses, allied health providers, and home care aides. Home care can also be supported by telehealth and digital tools. Home healthcare, therefore, has tremendous potential for growth in India in the coming years.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.