Telehealth use in APAC doubled since

The firm expects telemedicine adoption to grow through 2024

Telehealth use in APAC doubled since 2019: Bain & Company

THAILAND

Adoption of telemedicine in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region has doubled with safety risks attributed to the growth, survey results from management consulting firm, Bain & Company, indicated.

A survey of 1,750 consumers across APAC showed that telehealth adoption went up by 47% in China in 2021, from 24% in 2019. The firm said it would grow by 76% in two years.

In Indonesia, it was at 25% in 2019, growing by 51%. Bain & Company said it would increase by 72% in 2024.

There was no 2019 data available on the telehealth use for Malaysia and the Philippines but both countries adopted the digital practice in 2021 with 30% and 48%, respectively. Bain & Company sees that both markets’ telehealth services will grow by 70% in 2024.

India registered 29% in telehealth use in 2019, then grew by 59% in 2021. It will soar by 68% in 2024, Bain & Company reported.

Singapore posted 16% of telemedicine use three years ago, it rose by 34% in 2021 then it will be up at 60% in 2024.

In Australia, telehealth utilisation increased ninefold from 5% in 2019 to 45% in 2021. The firm said it will go up by 56% in 2024.

More than five in 10 physicians also disclosed that more than 25% of their primary consultations could be

Data privacy issues is one of the obstacles in using telehealth services

delivered virtually in the coming years.

Physical checkups and interactions may have revived in some cases, Bain & Company said the digital delivery models are still permanent in the healthcare landscape triggered by the global health crisis.

Data privacy

Nearly half of people living with HIV and (PLHIV) in the Asia and Pacific region said data privacy issues is one of their obstacles in using telehealth services, according to Gilead Sciences recent study.

Specifically, 43% of PLHIV and 35% of individuals at risk (IARs) are concerned on cybersecurity risks when using telehealth whilst nearly half of IARs or 47% said they feel discomfort about the lack of in-person contact when using telehealth.

Although, in the region, there is an uptick of telehealth services usage for HIV treatment over the past years.

The biggest increase was seen in the Philippines for PLHIV and IARs with 71% and 83%, respectively. This was followed by Vietnam and Malaysia.

Convenience, flexibility, and improved access to additional HIV information were the top three reasons why they used telehealth.

The study were based on replies from 1,531 respondents, which is composed of 787 PLHIV and 744 IARs, across nine markets in the Asia Pacific. The survey responses were received from June to September 2022.

RISING AI-FOCUSED HEALTHTECH STARTUPS IN INDIA LURE IN BIG COMPANIES: REPORT

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning-focused health tech startups in India, big companies are looking for opportunities to invest and expand their footprint in the country, according to a report from GlobalData.

Against this backdrop, AI-enabled made-in- India products are expected to offer advanced healthcare solutions and innovations and improve patient care in India.

Tech giant Oracle recently announced plans to expand its data centre and application base in India, as it sees the country as one of the major contributors in developing AI-based applications for the global healthcare industry.

GlobalData’ said India was amongst the top three medical device markets in Asia-Pacific in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.9% through 2030.

GlobalData’s medical devices analyst Pratibha Thammanabhatla said a growing disease burden, over-reliance on medical imports, and high costs are amongst the challenges currently being faced by the Indian medical industry.

“Surge in investment by foreign multinationals and the development of AI-enabled (artificial intelligence) domestic products will meet the current challenges and propel the market forward,” Thammanabhatla said.

The availability of a skilled workforce, more focus on AI, and favourable policies such as the new National Medical Devices Policy 2022 and production-linked incentive scheme are also expected to help the country to develop innovative indigenous health products and become self-sufficient.