The next chapter – 2023

The years gone by have witnessed the collective response of cities around the world to critical challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. The reality has proved that the destinies of people from different cities became ever-more interconnected, that solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapons for cities to overcome this crisis. In 2023, Metropolis Healthcare, one of India’s largest pathology lab chains, will focus on Metropolis 3.0 and serve a large consumer base in the chronic and wellness segment.

On an average, approximately 6 percent of India is sick at any given time. Our business was solely dedicated to this market (with acute diseases). We are now focusing not only on the 6 percent, but also on the 94 percent of India, which includes both healthy and chronically ill people. The team has already begun initial work on a slew of issues, such as product innovation, pricing, shifting focus from value to volume, and consumer language, in regard to heavily investing in digital technology. We are focusing on Tier-II and Tier-III cities in India. We have already expanded our home visit service coverage to 100+ locations. We are also deepening our presence in multiple cities across the country, and will continue to provide healthcare services to close to 220 cities through different patient service networks. We recently acquired HiTech Diagnostic Centre, South India’s largest diagnostic chain, in order to gain a larger market share, strengthen our leadership presence in South India, and increase the business’s B2C share by catering to the market’s mid-segment.

We will strengthen our digital presence by developing/integrating a fully scaled applications programming interface and a full-fledged customer relationship management stack for service, sales, and marketing with customer data platforms. We believe it will help us grow much faster in the market and integrate with the government and private entities, such as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, aggregators, hospitals, as well as others. Also, we will enhance our B2C application and shall release it by March 2023. It will be of service to view 360 degrees to consumers for better life management.

Covid has been the ultimate catalyst. Otherwise, healthcare is a stodgy, traditional industry where things move at a glacial pace. Changes in consumer preference will constantly be seen. Earlier, only a doctor would guide them. But now, with the amount of conversation around healthcare, people are making more decisions related to their health. Over the next few years, decisions will be conjoined between patients and doctors and not just doctors alone. Changes in consumer preference will constantly be seen. Metropolis is, therefore, moving in the direction of creating omni-channel offerings, bringing a large percentage of its services online. The only offline element will be sample collection. We are creating a strategy that is more futuristic. We will have a better understanding in the next financial year. When needed, we may build, acquire, or acqui-hire.

As a scientific-driven healthcare organization, we will actively invest in R&D and keep an eye out for ways to incorporate cutting-edge tests and technology and, as a result, expand its test menu and wide range of services. Furthermore, we will explore ways to offer more affordable healthcare to patients across the nation, using our in-depth scientific knowledge and skills. We are aiming to enhance our abilities in areas like cytogenetics, oncology, and molecular diagnostics. To serve as a future growth engine for the company, we have also assessed and invested in a standard health tech company. The goal is to make the offering more comprehensive and accessible to the end consumer. That will be the way forward.