65,000+
Installations
30,000+
Labs equipped with Transasia products
104
Countries
700+
Customer facing specialists
1 test every 2 seconds on a Transasia product
Total Solutions for Clinical Diagnosis
JANUARY 2018 | VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 01
10 COVER STORY
AN EXPANDING HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
14 Suresh Vazirani Chairman & Managing Director, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd
18 Dr G S K Velu Chairman and Managing Director, Trivitron Healthcare
24 Vikram Thaploo CEO, Apollo Remote Healthcare
34 Arjunsooraj V CEO, AKAS Medical
38 Dr Jonathan Stoeckel Chief Executive Officer, Stradus Services India Pvt Ltd
40 Madhubala Radhakrishnan M S Founder and President, mCURA
42 Dr Sumer Sethi Founder of eMedicoz
46 Jaishankar Natarajan Assistant Vice President, Head, New Business Development , Godrej Appliances
52 Dr Karthik Anantharaman Chief Marketing Officer, BPL Medical Technologies
54 Michael Koss CEO, Global Patient Portal
20
th
ANNIVERS
ARY
20 Dr Prahlad Singh
Senior Vice President and President, Diagnostics, PerkinElmer
44 - ADVERTORIAL HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
27 Prof Dr Sanjeev Bagai Vice Chairman & Director, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, New Delhi
30 Dr Mradul Kaushik Director, Operations and Planning, BLK Super Speciality Hospital
32 Dr Rakesh Gupta Chairman & Medical Director, Sarvodaya Hospital
50 Ravi Bhandari Chief Executive Officer, Shalby Hospital
51 Dr Ajit Gupta Founder and Director, Park Group of Hospitals
56 Niranjan Ramakrishnan CHCIO, Group Head IT, Kauvery Hospital
EXPERT OPINION
36 Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD)
48 Inder Davalur KIMS Hospital, Group CIO
62 Dr Saarthak Bakshi CEO, International Fertility Centre
65 Dr Chandrakant Lahariya National Professional Officer, Universal Health Coverage, WHO
60 Dr Mayank Somani CEO & Director, Medics Super Speciality Hospital
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Editorial India Gears up to Take Healthcare to All As India marches on to scale new heights of development, a big ray of hope has emerged for quality healthcare. With a report suggesting India’s healthcare market poised to grow up to $372 billion by 2022, of which the medical devices market alone is anticipated to touch $11 billion mark in the same year, there seems to be a lot that has remained latent. There is optimism not just among people living on the last mile but also amid various stakeholders as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured to ensure an affordable and accessible healthcare to all. With the advent of New Year, there is new enthusiasm to cater the finest possible service. We have brought to you 13th Anniversary Special issue, highlighting what holds in the New Year in the health sector, based on the observation and vision of those who matter. Our Cover Story titled – 2018: An Expanding Healthcare Landscape -- highlights the opportunities and potential growth in the India’s healthcare as viewed through the lens of private players of the sector. A section of healthcare experts and stakeholders have emphasised on the need to have health insurance for all as the only way forward to offer a better access to quality healthcare. They’ve opined that investment has so far, gone only into the healthcare service, and hope even healthcare technology will fascinate similar investment pouring in 2018. This issue features a range of interviews including that of industry leaders like Suresh Vazirani, CMD, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd; Dr G S K Velu, Chairman & Managing Director, Trivitron Healthcare; Dr Prahlad Singh, Senior Vice President and President, Diagnostics, Perkin Elmer; Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Vice Chairman, Manipal Hospital Dwarka; Vikram Thaploo, CEO, Apollo Remote Healthcare; Dr Mradul Kaushik, DirectorPlanning and Operations, BLK Superspeciality Hospital, Dr Chandarkant Lahariya, National Professional Officer - Universal Health Coverage, WHO; Niranjan Ramakrishnan, CHCIO, Group Head IT, Kauvery Hospital; Dr Jonathon Stoeckel, CEO, Stradus Services India Pvt Ltd. With a bouquet of interviews and special stories presenting a variety of perspectives about the healthcare landscape, we look forward to our readers’ invaluable feedback.
Dr Ravi Gupta Editor-in-Chief, eHEALTH Magazine CEO, Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd ravi.gupta@elets.in
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COVER STORY
AN EXPANDING HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE A RISING DEMAND FOR COST-EFFECTIVE QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICES, EMERGENCE OF TELEMEDICINE, PENETRATION OF HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES, MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS ALONG WITH VARIOUS GOVERNMENT SCHEMES HAVE BECOME THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE GROWTH OF HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, EXPLORE DIPEN PRADHAN AND RAJBALA OF ELETS NEWS NETWORK (ENN).
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
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According to a report, India’s healthcare market, worth $110 billion in 2016, is poised to grow up to $372 billion by 2022. Of which, the medical devices market, valued at $4 billion in 2016, is expected to touch $11 billion mark by 2022. Also, the Healthcare Information Technology (IT) market, currently valued at $1 billion, is most likely to grow 1.5 times by 2020.
DEMAND FOR COST-EFFECTIVE HEALTHCARE There is a growing demand for cost-effective quality healthcare services. Emergence of telemedicine, penetration of health insurance companies, mergers and acquisitions along with various government schemes are becoming the driving force behind the growth of healthcare industry. Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Vice-Chairman and Director-Dean of Manipal Hospital, New Delhi opines, the Health Insurance can play “a major role” in establishing a fair pricing across all hospitals.
NEWER TECHNOLOGIES WILL CREATE NEW ERA OF MEDICAL DATA MANAGEMENT WHERE DEVICES WILL START GETTING THE CLOUD, LOCAL SERVERS FOR MEDICAL RECORD AND DATA UPDATES, SAYS DR KARTIK ANANTHARAMAN
they are taken for a ride by some healthcare institutions.” To ensure access and affordability of better healthcare for all, the Government should provide free healthcare services to the people Below Poverty Line (BPL), said Dr GSK Velu, Founder & Managing Director of Trivitron Healthcare. “And the lower, middle and richer class people should be covered by insurance.” Insurance coverage for all
According to Ravi Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer of Shalby Hospitals, “Rising corporatisation in the industry along with growing expectations of people are leading to an increase in providing better healthcare services in both Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across the country.” As per ‘India’s New Opportunities-2020’ report published by the All India Management Association, Boston Consulting Group and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the healthcare industry is expected to generate over 40 million new jobs by 2020.
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“Very often, the rates of hospitals—of same type or may be of different groups or of the same hospital chain— vary between 50 to 60 to 70 per cent for the same procedure. “Usually, it is the same surgeon conducting the procedure. Only insurance can ask the hospital to have a fair pricing,” he added. Jaishankar Natrajan, Assistant Vice President and Head, Godrej & Boyce, said, “A patient will face challenges if it doesn’t bother about the cost to get a treatment in India. They have limited knowledge: they don’t know what is the right charge and what is not. Often,
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In India, it looks unfortunate that patients still have to pay healthcare expenses to the private healthcare out of their pocket rather through insurance. The trend is prevalent among many other developing nations, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Mexico, says recent World Health Statistics report. The Government of India has introduced various national health insurance schemes with sharp focus on empowering citizens to quality healthcare services. The 71st round of data on ‘social consumption on health’ of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) suggests
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
COVER STORY
I
ndia’s healthcare landscape is widening in an unprecedented fashion. It is visible how the industry is becoming one of the largest economic drivers of the country in terms of both revenue and employment generation.
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COVER STORY
only to the top-notch cities but not in the rural areas or smaller towns of the country, feel experts. “A lot of challenges are witnessed in the last-mile connectivity,” Dr GSK Velu, Founder & MD of Trivitron Healthcare said, adding the only way forward is that the Government should increase their healthcare strength and also the health insurance companies have to top their efforts, actively.
only 14.1 per cent people in rural areas and 18 per cent people in urban areas of India are covered under any type of health insurance.
In India, accreditation of hospitals started in 2008. As of now, 400 plus accredited hospitals are functioning—and almost all corporate hospitals have obtained.
The Employment State Insurance Scheme (ESIS), Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS), Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY), Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Rashtriya Swasthiya Bima Yojana (RSBY), Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) etc., are among few of them.
“Accreditation was started to bring quality healthcare into the system. You don’t have one single hospital running the standards; putting the standards. As we moved on, accreditation came into the system and the first to start were the corporate hospitals,” Dr Sajan Nair, Group Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of Ahmedabad-based Zydus Hospital said.
On 15 March, last year, the Union Cabinet approved the National Health Policy, 2017 (NHP, 2017), aimed at achieving universal health coverage and delivering quality health care services to all at affordable cost. The last health policy was formulated in 2002. On the other hand, majority of corporates are starting to provide health insurance for their employees. About 70 per cent of the insurance was covered by companies managed by PSUs. A section of experts is of the view that if India, with over125 crore population, obtain an insurance product, it can change the overall Indian healthcare system. Innovations are there with the accreditation of quality coming up. Accreditation for standardisation
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Ravi Bhandari added: “Accreditation is very subjective, but at the same time, it does help us to lay down certain processes in systems, for people at other units or other hospitals of the same group—to refer to, and see, if the closest forms of replication are happening at those locations.” “Unfortunately, we see a particular centre of excellence operating very well for a particular hospital at a particular place, but the same is not replicated at its branches,” Bhandari said.
“Healthcare service sector has grown becoming a mature industry and has seen significant investments. I believe, in coming years, a lot of investment will also pour in the healthcare technology—as it is still a sunrise industry among other verticals of the healthcare sector,” he added. Technological trends in 2018 Emerging new technologies, advanced equipments, innovative products and services, are being introduced by both private and public healthcare players. Speaking about the technological shift for the medical appliance industry, Dr Karthik Anantharaman, Chief Marketing Officer of BPL Medical Technologies, thinks more and more medical devices and appliances will demand smart technology. “Newer technologies will create new era of medical data management where devices will start getting the cloud, local servers for medical record and data updates,” he said.
Investment in Healthcare
In similar lines, Michael Koss, cofounder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Patient Portal says the industry is likely to witness decline of wearables in their current form.
There is a booming interest among investors in both healthcare service and medical technology sector. However, the investment has gone
“I expect this trend will flow into a number of home AI type applications which purport to assist in healthcare,” he added.
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd.
A Leader in the World of Diagnostics Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd. is the first Indian company to manufacture diagnostic instruments and equip over 35,000 laboratories all over India. We also export sophisticated, state-of-theart blood analysers and reagents to over 100 countries, says Suresh Vazirani, Chairman & Managing Director, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Suresh Vazirani Chairman & Managing Director, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd
Q
Give us an overview of Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd.
Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd. was set up in 1979 to cater to India’s need for essential diagnostics. At that time, almost all the medical equipment had to be imported. To add to this, the aftersales services was a big concern. I realized this was a lacuna in the healthcare facilities and doctors faced a problem in terms of offering quality medical and preventive care to patients.
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
I started off as a distributor to a Japanese company to provide the best aftersales services to their products. Over the next few years, we scaled up and in 1991, we started manufacturing IVD instruments. Thereafter, we also started our own R&D facility and expanded our manufacturing base by setting up plants in Mumbai, Daman, Baddi and Sikkim.
Q
Further in 2004, we decided to acquire companies globally. ERBA
In the past eight years, the Erba-Transasia group has
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Mannheim, Germany was the first company we acquired. This acquisition opened up the doors for growth. Thereon, we acquired more companies to bring world-class technology to India combined with efficient, low cost manufacturing and unparalleled market expertise. Tell us about the expanding horizon of Erba-Transasia.
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l l l l l l l l l l l l l
Erba Mannheim, Germany Erba Czech Republic Erba Russia Erba Poland Erba Diagnostics, USA Drew Scientific, USA JAS Diagnostics, USA Immunovision, USA Delta Biologicals, Italy Erba Turkey Erba France Erba Molecular, UK Calbiotech, USA
Q
With a global presence in over 100 countries, how do you ensure quality, affordability and accessibility of your products and offerings? We have followed a simple strategyAIM (Affordability & Accessibility, Innovation), and Make in India. Affordability & Accessibility
Important aspects of providing access to these customers include loaning the equipment which traditionally has been limited to larger labs in Metros. Transasia is the first and amongst the very few companies that penetrated the model in rural parts of India, enabling better access and quality of care. Innovation Transasia plays an effective role in the healthcare delivery system by offering quality, affordable solution by adopting the cutting edge technology from our 14 overseas subsidiaries, and customising it to cater to the bare minimum requirements for rural Indian market. Make in India Transasia has endorsed the ‘Make in India’ concept right from the 1990s, and was the first Indian diagnostic company to do so. By manufacturing the world’s latest technologies in India, we are able to leverage on the advantages of low cost production, thereby providing affordable, innovative solutions tailored to meet the domestic needs. We now boast of over 65,000 installations across India.
Limited access to quality medical technologies have been the pain points of over 70% Indians living in smaller towns and cities. This is where Transasia plays a major role in impacting lives through our accessibility and affordability strategy.
Q
Our sales and services network effectively supports both governmental and private entities in Tier I, II, III and IV cities and towns. In addition, our strong team of product specialists constantly identifies and addresses the varying customer needs. We provide direct services to over 300 cities and towns of India. To achieve broader coverage, Transasia also has a network of 350 channel partners.
In India, the medical devices industry is presently valued at $ 5.2 bn and contributes 4-5% to the Indian healthcare industry*. As an industry leader, I am glad that the Government’s Make in India initiative recognises medical devices as a sunshine sector. Today, the liberalisation of Government policies allow upto
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How do you perceive Make in India campaign. How medical equipments industry can contribute in this mission?
eHEALTH Magazine
EVERY GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE FREE HEALTHCARE, ESPECIALLY TO THE MIDDLE-CLASS AND POOR. BUT IF INDIA IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE FREE HEALTHCARE, CAN’T IT AT LEAST PROVIDE TOTALLY TAX FREE HEALTHCARE?
100% FDI through automatic route. Taking advantage of this lucrative opportunity, an increasing number of MNCs are setting up their manufacturing bases in India. However, we still have a long way to go. It is appalling to know that India loses Rs 60 lakh crore a year due to poor healthcare system. And, it goes without saying, diagnostics forms a base for healthcare and medical devices play a very important role. Catering to a population of 1.2 bn while importing 70% of the medical devices, is definitely not a viable situation for any country.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
acquired 14 companies globally and successfully expanded its technology portfolio to become India’s Leading In-vitro Diagnostic Company. The group includes the following companies:
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
To counter this loss, what we need is Make in India, in order to address the two basic needs of affordability and accessibility. Currently, the inverted import duty structure is proving to be the biggest deterrent. The import duty on finished product is lower than that on raw materials. If we are looking at reducing the burden on imports and making healthcare affordable, the inverted duty structure needs to be reversed. Earlier, medical devices attracted taxes of 13%. With GST, the rate is now 12% - 18%. This is too high and should be reduced to 5% or nil. I believe that every Government should provide free healthcare especially to the middle class and poor. But if India is not able to provide free healthcare, cant it atleast provide totally tax free healthcare? On the positive side, there is a lot of support that the Government is extending to ensure that the medical devices sector is considered as significant as the other sectors. The task force constituted by the Government aims to including the segregation of medical devices from drugs. Currently, only 15 categories of medical devices are regulated. The new set of rules should be able to enhance ease of doing business and ensure availability of quality medical devices. Going forward, periodic renewal of licenses will not be required. Consequently, manufacturing and import licenses will be valid until it is suspended or cancelled. The rules also aim to create a single window mechanism to promote a culture of self-compliance by manufacturers of medical devices. The Government and Industry need to work closely for a focused approach, encompassing distinct and specific policies, large healthcare spend, a conducive environment for R&D,
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Our R&D Centres of Excellence
attracting global players and at the same time encouraging indigenous players to scale up. The setting up of medtech parks linked with industrial corridors and technological transfer institutions is a positive move. Further the Government’s efforts in encouraging FDI, PPP and inverted duty structure correction are all precursors to the growth of this sector.
Q
Tell us about your R&D facilities, and how it has been effective in developing the latest innovative products and services. Our R&D teams in India and abroad work passionately to advance healthcare by addressing the unique challenges of every demography across the globe. With expertise spanning across immunodiagnostics, molecular biology, clinical chemistry, coagulation, hematology, critical care, diabetes management, microbiology, urinalysis as well as instrumentation and automation, our teams are able to design and develop technologies in every area of clinical diagnostics to serve the needs of the emerging markets. Transasia’s products are constantly updated and modernised to incorporate the latest technologies.
eHEALTH Magazine
Each new product and technology are arduously tested and validated in the most extreme condition to ensure uncompromising performance for its users.
Q
What new products and services are you planning to launch this year?
The medium to long term growth strategy is to keep the focus on technology through our global R&D, especially in the fields of immunology and molecular diagnostic. We will continue to focus on timeless ELISA and IFA, while introducing newer platforms like CLIA. On the other hand, in the field of molecular testing, Transasia is working on combining special technology that makes molecular diagnostics less complex and introduce products that are customised to Indian needs. NexGen sequencing is another growing trend we are adopting as a preferred method of choice for detection of TB, dengue, malaria, chikungunya etc. in India, so that these diseases can be treated faster with products that are affordable and accessible. *Source: http://www.makeinindia.com/ article/-/v/sector-survey-medical-devices.
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
Trivitron
Healthcare Developing Affordable Medical Technology To ensure access and affordability of a better healthcare for all, the Government should provide free healthcare services to BPL people. The lower, middle and rich class people should be covered by insurance, says Dr G S K Velu, Chairman and Managing Director, Trivitron Healthcare, in conversation with Dipen Pradhan of Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr G S Velu K
Chairman and Managing Director Trivitron Healthcare
Q
Q
A patient will face challenges if it doesn’t bother about the cost to get a treatment in India. They have limited knowledge: they don’t know what is the right or wrong charges. Often, they are taken for a ride by some healthcare institutions. Also, the country is still dependant upon outer party’s healthcare ecosystem— that should do away.
Unfortunately, the access to technology in India is limited. It is lagging the attention it deserves. There are a lot of challenges in the last-mile connectivity, which the private healthcare cannot ensure. The only way forward is for the Government to increase their healthcare strength and also the health insurance companies have to top their efforts, actively. These are
How do you perceive underlying challenges in India’s healthcare technology?
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
What will be key trends in this year?
eHEALTH Magazine
the only two bodies whose effort will ensure healthcare technologies are accessible to maximum people. The current Government spending, of less than 1.5 percent, is very low. Even if it is to be raised up to 2.5 per cent it’s still very low. To ensure access and affordability of better healthcare for all, the Government should provide free healthcare services to the people Below Poverty Line (BPL), and the lower, middle and richer class people should be
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19
Q
Tell us about the expansion plans of Trivitron Healthcare.
Our main focus over the past five years has been on breaching different models from “predominantly-ready” oriented to “predominantly innovation and medical technology” oriented. Presently, we have nine factories functioning in three countries: India, Turkey and Finland; and 10th factory is under construction. It is expected to get
commissioned by next quarter — focused on diverse medical technology products. Although the Indian medical technology market is growing, it’s not up to the desired level. So, most of Trivitron’s factories in India are running at a low capacity utilisation, from 10 to 20 percent. We are all pushing for some level of reforms
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in the Indian manufacturing products by the Government of India to boost the sector.
Q
What are the latest innovations Trivitron plans to introduce in the healthcare this year? We are launching a ‘Digital Mammography System’ along with new range of digital radiographic system and diagnostic kits and equipments in cities—Chennai, Mumbai and Pune. Currently, in the entry level, the digital mammography machine costs from Rs 1 crore up to 2.5 crores, and 50 lakhs to 2 crores for radiography machine. The newly developed Digital Mammographic and radiographic machine of Trivitron—developed by implementing our own innovation, software and design—is bringing down the current cost of these machines to at least 30 to 50 per cent. Our innovation and R&D are focused on making digital solutions affordable and accessible in India along with developing countries. The four decades old Screening factory of Trivitron in Finland is world ranked 2. The company has set up similar factories in Turkey and Chennai. The factory in Chennai was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2016. Efforts are on to rank closer to No.1 in the world.
eHEALTH Magazine
I BELIEVE, IN COMING YEARS, A LOT OF INVESTMENT WILL POUR IN THE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY, AS IT IS STILL A SUNRISE INDUSTRY AMONG OTHER VERTICALS OF THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR.
Q
What about Research & Development?
All our investment, profits made in the past 5-7 years have been utilised in the R&D to company’s manufacturing expansion. For In Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs), we have three R&D centres in Helsinki, Finland; Ankara, Turkey; and Chennai. These three centres work in contact with each other; not only for routine technology but also for developing new generation technologies like Mass Spectrometry (MS), Genome, and other areas. We have top scientists working with us, and we also work in collaboration with universities, institutions in India, Turkey and Finland.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
covered by insurance. This trend, I think, must emerge.
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INDUSTRY LEADER INTERVIEW
PerkinElmer Banks on Innovation for a ‘Healthier India’ India is one of the top geographic areas of focus for PerkinElmer’s strategic investments. In the last few years, we have invested over $100 million to build our local manufacturing in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, says Dr Prahlad Singh, Senior Vice President and President, Diagnostics, PerkinElmer, in an exclusive interview with Souvik Goswami of Elets News Network ( ENN).
Dr Prahlad Singh
Senior Vice President and President, Diagnostics, PerkinElmer
Q
PerkinElmer is a globally known brand in the healthcare sector. It believes in the mission of ‘Innovating for a healthier world.’ Share with us the journey of PerkinElmer over the years. For more than 80 years, PerkinElmer has been innovating for, and together with, our customers. They rely upon our deep history of scientific innovation to help them unlock critical insights that make impacts: smarter decisions, earlier diagnoses, more effective treatments and scientific breakthroughs. We serve as a true strategic partner; first understanding customers’ most pressing business challenges, and then developing innovations to meet those needs, or working collaboratively with customers to jointly discover breakthroughs. Our own employees’ passion for driving innovation has resulted in decades of patent awards for their creation of breakthrough technologies,
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
methods, and applications across our company’s core capabilities. With our over 3,500 patents, a global network of research & development centers of excellence and market-leading detection, imaging, and informatics innovations, we provide experience that enables customers to better protect our environment, food supply and families health.
Q
How much importance does India carry for the expansion of PerkinElmer in the coming years. What are its future investment plans in India? India is one of the top geographic areas of focus for PerkinElmer’s strategic investments. In the last few years, we have invested over $100 million to build our local manufacturing in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. We now have three manufacturing sites in India: two in Goa and one in
eHEALTH Magazine
Uttarakhand. We have also set up a PerkinElmer service lab in Chennai that offers early biochemistry screening, cytogenetics testing, and molecular diagnostics testing. This state-of-the art laboratory underscores our commitment to our continued expansion plans in India, and provides a hands-on experience with our innovative technologies. We are also supporting India’s healthcare requirements, including committing to expanding our infectious disease screening menu and capabilities. Our product portfolio, channel accessand broad footprint provide the key enablers to help accelerate our growth in this important market. Guided by the seven industry partnership models of National Skill Development Corporation, Government of India, PerkinElmer plans to set up Centres of Excellence focused on science and innovation in the health sector that are of strategic importance to the National Skill
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Q
Shed some light on some of the technological innovations that the company is focusing on, especially keeping in mind the Indian scenario. There are three main healthcare delivery challenges in India: the availability of the doctor/specialist;
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the referral and follow-up system for diagnostics and long-term management of disease/disorders; and the limited use of technology. PerkinElmer is committed to developing innovative technologies to address the challenges of healthcare delivery in India. At the same time, our focus is to bring advanced molecular and genetic testing to India so as to complete the ecosystem from preventive to advanced healthcare. Recently, we introduced an affordable gene panel, whole exome and genome sequencing services using the latest next generation sequencing technology, and other complementary assays to address the broad range of genetic disorders in India.We emphasise the need for affordable and user-friendly point-of-care diagnostics in order to extend healthcare services to the unreached and rural populations of India. We underscore the importance of reporting and follow-up for confirmatory tests and long-term management of disorders and disabilities. Therefore, we have specially designed software that is embedded in our instruments for screening of maternal and newborn health. Furthermore, we continue to innovate with advanced solutions that help protect the environment, the safety of our food, and the health of mothers and their newborns.
eHEALTH Magazine
THE NEW HEALTH POLICY IS VERY ENCOURAGING, AS IT ADVOCATES A PROGRESSIVELY INCREMENTAL ASSURANCE-BASED APPROACH FOR GDP ALLOCATION INCREASE TO 2.5%. FURTHERMORE, THE POLICY LOOKS AT REFORMS TO THE EXISTING REGULATORY SYSTEMS BOTH FOR DRUGS AND DEVICES MANUFACTURING TO PROMOTE MAKE IN INDIA
Q
The Government of India has come up with the ‘National Health Policy 2017.’ Its primary aim is to inform, clarify, strengthen and prioritise the role of the Government in shaping health systems in all its dimensionsinvestments. What’s your take on the new Health Policy? The new health policy is very encouraging, as it advocates a progressively incremental assurancebased approach for GDP allocation increase to 2.5%. Furthermore, the policy looks at reforms to the existing regulatory systems both for drugs and devices manufacturing to promote Make in India and also to reform medical education. India needs to continue its focus on strengthening infrastructure, enhancing accessibility of its health facilities, and improving the quality of service delivery. This year, the new public
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
INDUSTRY LEADER INTERVIEW
Mission. For instance, we have recently opened a ‘Centre of Excellence’ at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, to train current and future scientists. The advanced bio-analytical set up will not only hone the analytical skills of young students but it will also elevate their understanding of interdisciplinary sciences. We have also conducted a series of seminars for neurologists, paediatricians and gynaecologists in various parts of the country, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttarakhand in the areas of maternal, foetal and newborn health. With the right opportunity being available, we foresee a similar level of investment being made in India in the coming years. Our objective will be to build capacity of local manufacturing, R&D capabilities in diagnostic and environmental screening, and skill development of young healthcare professionals in biotechnology, pharma and life sciences in India, which will support employing several hundred people.
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INDUSTRY LEADER INTERVIEW
procurement policy was also introduced, helping local manufacturers and suppliers of goods and services to better align with the Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative by giving them a purchasing preference in all public procurement procedures. However, the public procurement or purchase system in India is ‘cost-centric’ rather than ‘value- conscious’. Induction of any new technology involves significant capital investment, but there are certain areas such as maternal health and newborn health where the government should give due preference to the ‘quality’ of goods and services.
Q
At the same time, the Government of India has launched its ambitious ‘Make in India’ programme and the new health policy has also given special focus to this. How can PerkinElmer be a part of this ‘transformational’ programme? We truly appreciate various initiatives taken by the Government of India during the last couple of years, particularly the Make in India initiative that aims to facilitate investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development, protect intellectual property and build a best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure. This programme is aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of turning India into a global manufacturing hub. Technologically, India is catching up with the Western markets in terms of manufacturing. Analysts say, if India’s manufacturing sector realised its full potential, it could generate 25 to 30 percent of GDP by 2025. There is an inherent need for superior technology and quality in India that is already being used elsewhere in the advanced world. Though the initial associated investment may appear high, its results and returns could
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
for encouraging entrepreneurship and generating employment. How can PerkinElmer be a part of India’s startup and innovation transformation?
justify these upfront costs. Therefore, we continue to pursue bringing ‘highend’ technology innovations to India.
Q
Skilled workforce is a problem for India’s healthcare spectrum. Through its ‘Skill India’ programme, the Government has started to address this challenge. What are your views on the importance of skilled workforce for the healthcare sector? The availability of a skilled workforce in the healthcare sector remains a barrier to universal health coverage in India. In addition to focusing on quantitative skill development initiatives, there is also a need to focus on qualitative skill development initiatives in the healthcare sector. While medical and para-medical education opportunities have shown tremendous growth, both in public and private institutions, there is an urgent need for better enforcement of minimum standards. India should focus heavily on upgrading technical skills of the workforce for advanced healthcare services. The private sector could be involved to meet public health goals through partnerships and collaborations.
Q
The Government of India and most of the State Governments have realised the importance of nurturing startups and innovators
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With so many startups and innovators emerging in the healthcare industy, it is important that they are able to utilise state-of-the-art instrumentation, infrastructure, support and application knowledge to bring their research and innovations to the next level. I think there’s a need for the industry to engage not only in financing the startups but also in the initial step of understanding the readiness and potential of the market prior to the scaling up/ commercialisation stage. The industry must also prepare business models including competitive mechanisms for revenue. It should be engaged either through CSR funding, R&D funding, or any other mechanism to support the startups and innovations in the mutually identified areas to in order serve societal needs and demands. PerkinElmer is committed to contributing to national health policies in India and State Government initiatives, bringing technology advancement, innovation and quality in healthcare service delivery. We continue to collaborate and welcome partnerships with various Government agencies, like the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, the Indian Institute for Technology. We also continue to work closely with professional associations, including the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, FOGSI, National Neonatology Forum, Indian Medical Association, and Indian Association for Medical Genetics to help meet young entrepreneurial researchers’ need as they work toward advancing their science and developing transformational solutions.
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
‘ICT Key Element
in Transforming Conventional Healthcare’ Apollo Remote Health Care intends to create a cost-effective and accountable access to quality medical doctors for primary and expert consultation for empowering rural and semi urban patients at a global level, says Vikram Thaploo, CEO, Apollo Remote Healthcare, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).
Vikram Thaploo CEO, Apollo Remote Healthcare
Q
Telecommunication and Information Technology are playing a pivotal role in transforming India. What expansion do you see in this regard as far as health services are concerned? The growth trend in the field of Telecommunication & IT Sector is seen to be parallelly being reflected in the Telemedicine Sector. It is quite evident that the acceptance of people towards telecommunication as a mode of interaction with
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healthcare providers is increasing and stabilising at a greater pace in the last few years as compared to the last decade. The amalgamation of this growing acceptance along with the continuous innovation in the Healthcare IT Sector is resulting in development of a complete standalone Health Care Service Delivery System that can even collaborate seamlessly with any other healthcare verticals. Access to healthcare has now
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become easier and most cost— effective than ever and credit can be duly given to the Telemedicine sector. Even doctors are now in more supportive stance to telemedicine, as they can deliver their valued services from anywhere and any time. The age we are living in, is seeing a lot of advancements in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML), and healthcare system is no more a stranger to this field. Development
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
of highly advanced Disease Progression Algorithms, Clinical Decision Support Systems etc is letting us further enhance the scope of Telemedicine by standardising the diagnostic capabilities of every doctor and also standardising the modes of intervention. A steady inclination towards digitalisation of healthcare data along with development of advanced data analysis tools would help us understand the prime areas of focus for further strengthening of healthcare services and would help us crystallising our vision for telemedicine
Q
What is the significance of telemedicine and distant medical facilities in India. How will it help in overcoming the challenges in the rural areas? Through Telemedicine the major concerns with India’s healthcare system like low doctor-patient ratio, lack of strengthened primary healthcare services can directly be addressed. Telemedicine is playing a significant role in enhancing the scope of services in the remote locations in India with minimal medical facilities. Technology is significantly blurring the lines between various levels of healthcare service delivery. Sub centres, rural primary health centres that usually offer paramedic services are now able to access advanced medical services like specialist consultations, diagnostic services, emergency and intensive care services, tertiary care services like mobile dialysis units etc without the presence of highly skilled healthcare service provider or highend infrastructure at the remote location. Remote monitoring capabilities of
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Telemedicine are helping us deliver international standard healthcare services at even the most remote locations. Therefore, Government of India has been portraying keen interest in establishing a centrally monitored healthcare service delivery system that lead to development of various PPP models of healthcare service delivery. The Micro monitoring capabilities of Telemedicine offer utmost visibility on each and every process that in turn offers segmented analysis of the expenditure and areas of concern. It has also empowered the Government to plan and strategise the development of better health care systems
the conventional healthcare to digital healthcare.
Q
Q
Tell us about Apollo Remote Health Care, and its role in transforming medical services in alignment with Information and Communications Technology (ICT)? With the vision of bringing healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual, Dr Prathap C Reddy, founder of Apollo Hospitals Group, established Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation (ATNF) in 1999 and later Apollo Telehealth Services (ATHS) in the year 2010. Apollo today offers telemedicine services; general practitioners and specialists consultation with integrated diagnostics, EMR, and pharmacy to places where access to healthcare is difficult. Its systems (Infrastructure and clinical protocols), diagnostic devices, internet technology, software and team of technical and clinical expertise bring together the service delivery to customers. Thus, the development of ICT acts as a critical element in transforming
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I See, Apollo Remote healthcare playing a significant role in 2018 as our team is growing stronger each day in terms of subject expertise and innovation in building the bridges between Healthcare services and Information Technology. Combining the presence & expertise of Apollo Hospitals group in the healthcare & healthcare enabled services (Remote healthcare, Apollo Home Care, Apollo Wellness, Apollo Sugar, Apollo Munich etc) we will be able to develop comprehensive & state of the art health packages for diverse population groups including both urban & rural sectors. Apprise us about Apollo’s Himachal Pradesh Telehealth Programme. Do you have any plan to work with the State Government in PPP Mode? The HP- Apollo Tele health services programme was first of its kind health care service delivery innovation in India. The programme provides much needed emergency, specialty and super-specialty consultation services to locations at 14,000 feet above sea level in the Himalayan mountain range. Established initially as a proof of concept, technology enabled service delivery model, it is now a time tested programme. The programme has been rendering remote health care services, since 2 years and is being implemented by Apollo Tele Health Services (ATHS). We already have taken the concept to scale and have operationalized PPP Projects with government of Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan and working with few more states. Revolutionizing Healthcare with Information Technology is our primary goal.
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Ensuring Advance care with Modern Technology The Manipal Hospital has hugely concentrated on the latest technology and digital care. It helps in three ways — better patient experience , best clinical outcomes and operational excellence, says Prof Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Vice Chairman & Director, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, New Delhi, the Padma Shree Presidential Awardee and Dr B C Roy National Awardee in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).
Prof Dr Sanjeev Bagai Vice Chairman & Director, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, New Delhi, the Padma Shree Presidential Awardee and, Dr B C Roy National Awardee
Q
What distinguishes Manipal Hospital from other hospitals? What special services are offered at Dwarka? The hospital is part of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), which is a pioneer in the field of education and healthcare delivery in the country. At Dwarka, the hospital is a state of the art hospital, offering the best of cutting edge technology of global standards.
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We began with 380 beds and ramp upwards to enhanced beds operationalisation. The hospital will have focussed centers of excellence in 15 major departments with a total of 45 specialties and more than 70 super specialties. The prime target avenues are patient centricity and best clinical outcomes based on evidence proved medicine.
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The Manipal organisation has a phenomenal legacy of combining healthcare and medical education. This hospital is perhaps the most digitally enhanced institution in north India. We intend to achieve clinical excellence through an excellent team of doctors, medical specialists who are well-versed with the latest advancements in their respective field of medical expertise.
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HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
Manipal Hospital
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HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
Q
How do you ensure good patient healthcare experience with the integration of technology and upgraded machinery?
The hospital has hugely concentrated on the latest technology and digital care. It helps in three ways — better patient experience, best clinical outcomes and operational excellence. With paper-less technology as EMR and solutions like AI (Artificial Intelligence), voice over control , tracking , telementoring, telemedicine, digital operations rooms , seamless integration of data and data analytics, the total experience will be better and much different.
Various non-invasive latest diagnostics and robotic technology have been employed. These innovations give better bed occupancy, low risk of hospital acquired infections, evidence-based medicine with patient becoming the part of our decision-making cycle.
Q
How technological shift will develop the Indian healthcare industry? What are the key elements for the same? I firmly believe that technology and digitalisation will change the way we see and perceive healthcare. Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Augmented Thinking, Data Capture and Analytics with home care are a few of the big focus areas.
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To reach the patients in remote parts of India and the globe with tele-medical care will bridge the distance gap immediately. Health education will also see home education, accreditation, revalidating qualifications amongst other benefits.
Q
How would you remember 2017 in terms of major achievements? What are your primary goals and outlook for 2018? We have always believed in the best patient care at an affordable cost. The core values of ethics with compassion are our DNA. Focus on implementing technology and digital care has taken giant lead in our organisation. For the Manipal Dwarka Hospital the prime focus is to reach out to many parts of Delhi NCR and beyond to optimise healthcare results. Bringing in the best human talent pool under one roof will serve our society with empathy. We have plans for hospitals –Super speciality and dedicated for women and child – 380 beds in both centres together will enhance to 480 beds over next few months. It will have centres for WomenChildren, CTVS, Cardiology, Neurology, Neuro surgery, Gastroenterology and organ transplantation, Renal sciences and RTT, general surgery, Orthopaedics and joint replacement, pulmonary and critical care, Internal medicine, paediatrics and all its allied branches, IVF, Obs-Gyn, Plastic surgery, Urology, Endoscopic surgery, Oncology centre, the most advanced Lab and Radiology centres, Robotic centres, etc. research institutes, biotechnology and bio-engineering-nano technology institute, regenerative
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MANIPAL HOSPITAL HAS ALWAYS BELIEVED IN BEST PATIENT CARE AT AN AFFORDABLE COST. THE CORE VALUES OF ETHICS WITH COMPASSION ARE OUR DNA
medicine-stem cell centre, teaching, accommodation, guest house facilities, recreation and sports centre, hub for international medical tourism, genomics and robotic centre, holistic medical centre, centres of excellence in all major clinical departments, tele medicine centre, centre for virtual reality and artificial intelligence, simulation centre, rehabilitation centres etc. These hospitals in northern India are the first of its proto type, in numerous avenues. The comprehensive digital smart hospital, would be the highlighting features of these hospitals. This will give more affordable and accessible health care to millions.
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HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
BLK Super Speciality Hospital Bringing Fully Automation in Information System We are among the most technologically advanced hospitals with fully integrated IT-enabled solutions for efficient hospital management and with this fully automated information system, we are able to put in place a very efficient system for quality care and better outcomes, says Dr Mradul Kaushik, Director, Operations and Planning, BLK Super Speciality Hospital, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr Mradul Kaushik Director Operations and Planning, BLK Super Speciality Hospital
Q
our credibility as provider of high quality care.
Each information with regard to clinical programmes and patient care is paramount and vital for the hospital. Information related to the availability of laboratory reports, medical records, images and critical tests results is required for clinical decision-making. Availability of such information on real time basis significantly contributes to clinical outcomes which enhance
As a health institution, it is important for us to keep a close eye on how the clinical treatment is being given. We have integrated entire settings and services with efficient information system and this makes us different from others. Every health institutions have their own way of collection of vital information, however, our focus is on entire chain-right from Admission to Discharge. For us it is
What are the significant aspects for BLK Super Speciality hospital?
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eHEALTH Magazine
very important to get regular feedback from each concerned. So how is the feedback being taken, how is the clinical rounds being conducted, who are the doctors available on the floors, what kind of clinical programmes are supported- these questions/feedback play critical role in our information gathering system. In our hospital, we have three-tier system in most intensive care areas. So, there are three layers of residents and at least two or three layers of nurses
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Q
How significant is technology’s role in BLK Hospital’s functioning?
We are one of the most technologically enabled hospitals. Entire hospital is fully IT-enabled. If you go to even Blood Bank, 99.5 per cent entire process is automated. Though we maintain physical record too, we have ensured everything is automated. Following the automated process results in real time information about the availability of blood, stock, expiry and all other vital items. There is no need to look in register for everything. As diet is a critical component in patient care, we have made our kitchen fully automated. Automation is helping us significantly. Every food that is delivered from kitchen and reaching to patient is tracked through bar code. Similarly, for medication also we use bar coded delivery and bar coded scanning. We have fully automated lab with analyser which can do 1,200 samples per hour. Automation has helped us to create a system where reaction time is almost instantaneous. If patients’ samples are sent to laboratory, within 45 minutes tests results are available online. This real time availability of results is a great support. It can be seen easily from anywhere by doctors and other hospital staffs. For surgeries, our operation theaters (OT) are also integrated with ITenabled solutions. In OTs, we have put modular theatre, new machines, and advanced microscopes. Now we will be having advanced robotic surgery system for complex surgeries. Automation would prove a big support here as well.
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I do believe that technology is only enabler and people behind the technology are more important. We train staff to use technology efficiently. Senior most doctors train their juniors and process goes down for other staffs as well. The automation has helped us in making our audio-visual training process for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Cardiac Life Support very effective. Now, we are providing training to many nursing homes for BLS.
Q
How have you been ensuring integration of lab/hospital and clinical systems?
We are among the most technologically advanced hospitals with fully integrated IT-enabled solutions for efficient hospital management and with this fully automated hospital information system, we are able to put in place a very efficient system for quality care and better outcomes. Microsoft provides us back-end support with fully integrated navigation system. This system is complemented with locally developed CRM tool. Moreover, we have HRMS, a complaint management system within the hospital for internal users and a feedback system for patients, which is fully integrated with routine health information systems (RHIS). Going forward, this year we are bringing in some innovative measures as well. For example, we are adapting TPA management software, primarily for the benefit of patients and families. We are aware that health insurance process takes lot of time and hospitals are blamed for delaying the discharge process. We have put a touch screen on all floors in admission area and discharge area to smoothen whole process. We have automated admission process, one can easily monitor how much time it
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AUTOMATION HAS HELPED US TO CREATE A SYSTEM WHERE REACTION TIME IS ALMOST INSTANTANEOUS. IF PATIENTS’ SAMPLES ARE SENT TO LABORATORY, WITHIN 45 MINUTES TESTS RESULTS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE. THIS REAL TIME AVAILABILITY OF RESULTS IS A GREAT SUPPORT. IT CAN BE SEEN EASILY FROM ANYWHERE BY DOCTORS AND OTHER HOSPITAL STAFFS
takes. Counseling centre is available to guide patients. In clinical system, we are going for an electronic medical record (EMR) very soon. An Indian company has developed an effective App which is very useful for out-patients. It’s a good app which is not depended on a particular device and can be used on Facebook on mobiles, Tablets, and Laptops. And it is customised for every doctor’s requirements. By April 1, we should be rolling it out across the hospital.
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HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
in most intensive care areas. Hence, integrated automation in Information system has really improved our functioning at all levels. Obviously, if required information is passed on in an intelligent manner, it would have very positive impact on outcomes.
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Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad
Providing Affordable HEALTHCARE We work with a belief that curing is never complete without care. Our central point of focus are our patients; and everything else is built around them, ensuring access to quality healthcare services, says Dr Rakesh Gupta, Chairman & Medical Director, Sarvodaya Hospital in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr Rakesh
Gupta
Chairman & Medical Director Sarvodaya Hospital
Q
What practices does Sarvodaya Hospital adopt and integrate to distinguish itself while remaining at the forefront of medical excellence? Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, has been on a continuous journey to establish patient-centric healthcare system since its inception in 1991. A combination of latest state-ofthe-art technology continuous focus on learning and development and
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adherence to ethical practices has enabled us to meet the expectations of the community. For 26 years, Sarvodaya has dedicated its service to provide affordable healthcare to all sections of the society with an ever growing focus on patient care. We work with a belief that curing is never complete without care. Given these principles, our central point of focus are our patients. Everything else is built around to achieve maximum
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patient satisfaction, clinical excellence through use of the state-of-the art technologies — ensuring access to affordable healthcare.
Q
Brief us about the hospital’s specialty centers and departments. How have you evolved yourself into a Center of Excellence? Sarvodaya brings to Faridabad the best of healthcare with various specialties:
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Centre for Cardiac Care Centre for Bone and Joint Centre for Neuroscience Centre for Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Centre for Cancer Care and Bone Marrow Transplant Centre for ENT and Cochlear Implant Centre for Liver and Stomach Centre for Asthma and Lungs Centre for Women Health Centre for Child Care Centre for Minimal Invasive Surgeries Institute of Laser Urological surgeries and more.
Excellent People: Ethical clinicians with a focus on accurate and high precision diagnosis thus avoiding unnecessary investigations. Unmatched Care: Not just curing, but caring for all our patients. State-of-the-art Technology: Stateof-the-art equipment with constant endeavour to keep abreast with the advances in the sector.
These specialties and principles of our philosophy have helped us to evolve into a Centre of Excellence in healthcare.
Q
Tell us about latest technologies levied by the hospital for improved medical services?
Sarvodaya Hospital has adopted the best of technologies; not just for diagnosis and treatment, but also for managing its process and service delivery. Our 100W Holmium Laser for kidney stone treatment for fatty liver diagnosis and, Hemodiafiltration (HDF) for renal replacement therapy were first introduced in Faridabad by Sarvodaya Hospital. Fibroscan, Ebus, Endotoxin Removal Therapy are among few others. Safety of patient’s database We ensure safety and security of our patient’s database. Our investment are focused heavily on enhancing IT infrastructure and Hospital Information System (HIS).
Hub for all healthcare services: Providing access to all healthcare services under one roof
Q
Apart from the super specialties, we have Sarvodaya Nursing Institute with full time ANM & GNM courses. Nursing acts as a backbone of a healthcare system and becomes a huge advantage for the students as they get the placement opportunity after the course.
Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, is a government accredited hospital for Cochlear Implant program under Assistance to Disabled Person for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme.
Tell us about the hospital’s tieup plans to bring its healthcare services at national-level.
The Cochlear implant is a prosthetic
device; a part of which is surgically implanted inside the cochlea. The implant has been beneficial for children and adults with severe to profound hearing loss and steeply sloping hearing loss — who do not adequately benefit from hearing aids but have an intact auditory nerve. We have also been conducting free operations for underprivileged children availing free speech therapy for 2-year-olds. Approximately, 30 children of Faridabad availed the benefit from the surgery.
Q
Share with us your major learning, challenges, and achievements from 2017.
The year 2017 has been great, having made few accomplishments in areas like kidney transplant, bone marrow transplant and Cochlear implant programme. We also take pride in conducting the highest number of Cochlear implant in the State, and highest Bone Marrow transplant in the city, till date. We are in continuous dialogue with the best of minds. We have organised a national level Oncology conference. Our engagements are focused on holistic development of the community, especially on uplifting women empowerment and addressing health issues. “Jug Jug Jiyo Beti” (long live daughter) initiative of the hospital has been initiated on similar lines.
Q
How do you foresee the healthcare trends in 2018?
We foresee that healthcare will be dealing more of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to deteriorating lifestyle. The healthcare setups and the community should collaborate more to increase focus on healthy lifestyle and raise awareness to make health screening a habit.
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AKAS Medical
STRENGTHENING
Critical Care Capacity AKAS Medical has launched a “Quick Vital sign” machine, which is totally innovative and used in the OPD for every clinic. It can screen seven parameters for all OPD patients in two minutes, says Arjunsooraj V, CEO, AKAS Medical, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Arjunsooraj V CEO, AKAS Medical
Q
Akas medical has been providing critical care to patients since 1996, how has been the journey so far? Customer acceptance of our Infusion pump (therapeutic product) was initially a big challenge and over time customers learnt that Indians could manufacture good products. The challenge has been from all quarters. For example, the import duty of infusion pumps was lower than the parts of the infusion pump. So when
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
we import a battery or a motor to manufacture a pump, the import duty and CVD were all higher than the duties for importing an infusion pump. So this was going against the “Make In India” about 10 to 15 years back. Other Challenges we had were reaching out to customers through dealers, giving the service support promptly while having just a few installations in a place. We overcame all this with time. Now we have a full-
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fledged company appointed service engineers across every place. From one product that we manufactured way back in 1996, the volumetric infusion pump, then we launched our Syringe infusion pump. Subsequently we forayed into LCD Vision chart for ophthalmology. We launched our pulse oximeters and patient monitors. On the whole the journey has been growing with challenges.
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35 What innovative products have been introduced by you in the critical care division?
used. But for a developing nation like India we run without pumps and hence this product could help.
We observed that temperature is a parameter which is not used much in the patient monitors. Probably, more number of probes and wires running on the patients were uncomfortable. So, we have offered the noncontact temperature in our Patient Monitor. Nursing staff monitor the temperature, once in 4 hours or 6 hours. They can very well use the Non Contact method in our monitor which can record and provide trend.
More innovative products are still in R&D which I will not be able to share at this point of time.
We have launched a “Quick Vital sign” machine, which is totally innovative and used in the OPD for every clinic. It can screen 7 parameters for all OPD patients in 2 mins. Height, Weight, BMI, Temperature, Spo2%, Pulse Rate and NIBP (oscillometric and manual mode). This gives a print out of the recorded data all in 2 minutes. We have launched “Drip Sure”, a low cost alternative for a volumetric infusion pumps for non-ICU areas or in the general wards for plain saline. Maintaining the IV flow rate is a time
consume task for the Nurses and this product a gravity based infusion controller controls the flow rate precisely to the set drops/min. This product can be used in every bed and will save the time for Nursing staff. For a developed nation where patients can afford volumetric pumps are
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Q
Give us an overview of your overseas initiatives.
Our products are CE certified. Opthalmology products are FDA certified as well. We are currently catering to only a few customers and distributors globally. Those distributors who have approached us by themselves are only serviced. We have not started our overseas operations for want of innovative products. With the Quick vital sign and Drip Sure we are taking up the global market from 2018.
IN 2018 WE ARE LOOKING AT A PROMISING GROWTH AS WE HAVE STARTED PLAYING IN BIGGER MARKET SIZE. WE HAVE ALSO INCREASED OUR SERVICE SUPPORT CENTRES IN VARIOUS GEOGRAPHIES TO GIVE QUICKER SERVICE
Q
How has been the last year and what we are likely to witness in 2018 for AKAS Medical?
Last year, we have launched three major products Quick Vital Sign, Drip Sure and Patient Monitor with Non Contact Temperature and wireless central monitor.
We have bagged various government big orders in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh and many others. We have launched mobile Application to improve customer
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service. We take customer feedback through application and constantly improve our products and services. Having launched three important products last year, all these are taking off in the last few months of 2017. This 2018 we are looking at a promising growth as we have started playing in bigger market size. We have also increased our service support centres in various geographies to give quicker service. The GST is also a welcome move as it allows dealers to take credit of the taxes and also have a uniform taxation across the country. All this in place, we are seeing a promising year 2018.
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
Q
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OPINION
The Government needs to introspect why even after three years of “Make in India” campaign, the Medical Device manufacturing is still floundering in India, writes Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD), for Elets News Network (ENN).
Budget Expectations by Medical Device Industry
T
hough 2017 witnessed a significant development in the medical devices sector, there is an urgent need for the government to accelerate further reforms to boost manufacturing, reducing huge import dependency— which is still at 70-90%—minimising outgo of foreign reserves, and making quality healthcare affordable and accessible to the masses at large.
Predictable tariff strategy for investors
Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD)
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“To implement ‘Make in India’ and exploit potential effects on exports and the 70% import dependency, over $10 billion Indian market of medical devices domestic manufacturers
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seek a long-term and predictable tariff strategy for investors who will only invest if they find it viable and profitable to manufacture medical device in India”. Basic Custom Duty (BCD) on Medical Devices having export turnover of more than: l Rs 100 Crores (in any one of last 3 financial years), should be at least 15%, considering WTO l Bound Rate for 40%. l Similarly, for Rs. 10 Crores to Rs. 100 Crores, BCD should be 10% and for l Rs. 5 Crores to Rs. 10 Crores, BCD should be 7.5% and for l Less than Rs. 5 Crores, BCD could be at 5% or higher.
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Increase in Basic Custom Duty ranging from 0-7.5% to 5-15% The availability of GST credit to importers has led to reduced cost of procurement and the only protection domestic industry now has is Basic Custom Duty (BCD). Against the range of 0% to 7.5% BCD, on nearly 90%, the WTO (World Trade Organization) bound rate is 40%, which means nations under WTO can increase duty up to a maximum of 40%. Other BRICS countries have duty rates as follows: Import Duty on Medical Devices (HS Code 9018) in BRICS Countries The point, we at AiMeD, have been trying to make is that nominal
we have allowed even Indian manufacturers of medical devices to turn to cheaper imports. The sector where manufacturing is thriving in India is automobiles with 60% to 100% BCD, Motorcycles with 60%-75% BCD and Bicycles with 30% BCD. To boost domestic manufacturing of mobile handset and components, government imposed a differential duty of 10-12.5%. The net result has been that every imported brand stepped forward to put a factory in India, whether Chinese or Taiwanese or American, including Apple. With introduction of GST, the differential duty advantage was no more there and all foreign investors who had stepped forward were feeling stressed. The government rightly revised custom duty on Electronics up to 20% recently to maintain the investment climate and same is sought for Medical Electronics
Import Duty on Medical Devices (HS Code 9018) in BRICS Countries Products/ Countries Brazil Russia India China South Africa Medical Devices (HS Code 9018) 14%
0% - 15%
import duty on critical items, which can be made in India, is not protectionism. ‘Make in India’ economics need to revive the floundering manufacturing sector and is the preferred policy tool over the world to boost domestic industry and employment. We have already seen the beneficial impact of such steps in sectors: telecom, automobile and more recently in electronics. Whereas
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7.50% 0%
3.3% 17%
0% - 20%
where import dependency is 90%. The 2017 has been very eventful and progressive for the presently valued $10 billion Indian Medical Device market. Some of the highlights include: l Medical Device Rules 2017. The new rules to regulate medical devices heeded the industry’s long standing demand to have medical device rules separate from drugs. l NPPA capping the prices of stents followed by orthopedic
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l
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knee implants in a move to make medical devices more affordable and allowing ethical market competition. Subsequently, the National Regulatory Authority, CDSCO coming up with classification of Medical Devices. Mandatory display of MRP on all imported (and indigenous) medical devices. Notification of accredited certified bodies under Quality Council of India for ICMED Certification. Inauguration of Medical Device Parks in Andhra Pradesh and in Telangana. Formation of Kalam Institute of Technology to promote indigenous R&D etc.
But 2018 will be a year to watch out, which would clarify further course of action to make medical devices more affordable. Much more needs to be done. Till now, there has been some significant measures and corrective steps but we expect this budget outlines and ensures a broad, country centric and comprehensive roadmap for boosting medical device industry within the country. Specific Expectations from this Budget Session: l Extension of Inverted Duty Tariff Rationalization to Medical Electronics & Diagnostic. l Increase in Basic Custom Duty ranging from 0 - 7.5% to 5 - 15%, as access to GST credit has made imports cheaper against earlier protection of 7.5+6+4 %. Indian Manufacturers have only 7.5% protection now. l MoH to review & discuss Medical Devices Bill for Law drafted in 2016 with stakeholders (The writer’s views are personal.)
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OPINION
The linkage of growing exports is to demonstrate growing capability and international competitiveness of these Devices to silence critics or India will forever remain import dependent on unaffordable Medical Devices.
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
STRADUS – MAKING EASY TO USE RADIOLOGY IT SOLUTIONS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL Most of the radiology centers in India do not avail modern radiology IT’s benefits. Most of the large hospitals are still buying and using legacy solutions that are not providing full benefits that modern state of the art software can bring. Stradus aims to bring a change to make modern technology’s benefits accessible to all, says Dr Jonathan Stoeckel, Chief Executive Officer, Stradus Services India Pvt Ltd, in an interview with Rajbala of Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr Jonathan Stoeckel Chief Executive Officer, Stradus Services India Pvt Ltd
Q
Give us an overview of Stradus Services India Pvt Ltd.
Stradus provides reliable, affordable and easy to use radiology IT solutions. Our RIS/PACS and teleradiology solutions scale from single modality diagnostic centers, to large multi-location corporates. Stradus offers hybrid solutions, that are both fully local and fully cloud based at the same time: offering the best of both worlds. Stradus designs its solutions to optimally fit the Indian needs. It turns out that customers in other countries also appreciate our offering. So, we are also selling outside India.
Q
What distinct role Stradus Services Private Limited is playing in the healthcare ecosystem? The goal of any radiology IT solution should be to help the radiologists and other users save time and cost while at the same time helping to improve the quality of patient care.
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Therefore, modern radiology IT solutions should allow users to work in the way that fit them best instead of compromising because of their software. Users should be able to choose the workflows that fit them best, feel secure that no data gets lost, and do their work from any location in the hospital, at home, or even while travelling, and from whatever device, being a full workstation, a tablet, or just a phone. All tools, including MIP/MPR/3D, viewing of priors and reporting etc. should be available anywhere at any time. Most radiology centers in India do not yet avail the benefits of modern radiology IT. And most large hospitals are still buying and using legacy solutions that are not providing the full benefits that modern state of the art software can bring. Stradus is trying to change this with its fully integrated RIS, PACS and teleradiology solution based on the latest technologies. We want to make the benefits of modern technology accessible to all.
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Q
Tell us about affordable PACS Service your company deals with. How patients get benefitted with the service? Patients benefit in many different ways: For example, by directly being able to receive access to their images on their phones by text message or email. But they also benefit from faster turnaround times that Stradus enables. Since Stradus is affordable and helps improve productivity, the benefits can be offered to patients without needing to raise the prices for the patients.
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What all new products and services you are bringing in 2018 to cater people related to this field?
We always pay attention to our customers’ needs. They are our inspiration. Our R&D continuously adds new functionalities based on customer feedback. Our active customers always automatically get the latest version of our software, so they directly benefit from any improvements we make or new features we add.
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INNOVATIONS IN HEALTHCARE
mCURA Facilitating Better Patient Care Innovatively mCURA’s technology brings mHealth in mainstream service through an effective deployment of cloud infrastructure coupled with state of the art hardware, tech platform and mobile devices at hospitals/clinics¸ says Madhubala Radhakrishnan M S, Founder and President, mCURA, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).
Madhubala Radhakrishnan M S Founder and President mCURA
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With mCURA’s motto being to provide excellent innovative services to suit a highly evolving domain of mobile Health, what sort of technology your organisation works upon? We are first in India to use Near Field Communications (NFC) technologies at service locations to provide an innovative hospital experience for patients. Deploying our technology enables hospitals to enhance their workflows that leads to better patient
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
experience and enhanced revenues.
mobility infra / full fledged tech platform / option with skilled staff to own the responsibility of providing “wow” factors to patients and doctors with our unique features such as “shortest service path”, and the “tap and pay” system.
Our end-to-end hospital workflow includes patients, doctors, front office, queue management system, pharmacy, investigations and billing communicating with each other via single platform that too on mobility. In healthcare, it’s all about right communication at right time.
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mCURA is India’s first company to bring HIT as a service through our “Smart OPD”that includes complete
Health eco-system is hugely benefited
How are your innovative and technology driven services helping out people, related to the healthcare ecosystem?
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Our user-friendly method of collecting data points combined with patient service at all levels: front office – doctor chamber – order fulfilment-continuum of care helps us achieve this powerful MIS system. The problem is not lack of technology today it’s lack of data communication in health industry.
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Why makes you feel healthcare organisations should have all the relevant clinical data?
In healthcare – easy and quick access to RELEVANT clinical data enables health service providers to get deeper insights on patients’ health condition. In today’s tech world comparing diagnostics images or deriving unique occurrences out of a trend graph is common. But enabling this at point of care for a doctor is what is the big challenge. Again, it’s not because of technology it’s because of adoption issue. The adoption can be achieved if they could get all the RELEVENT clinical information in first two minutes of the patient’s visit. If a doctor needs to spend 10 minutes to gain clinical insights on a patient through digital data, it’s not practical. For any data to be available digitisation is important. To overcome the above challenge mCURA has come up with “Clinical
Informatics Executive” - data assistant to every doctor. This doctor’s assistant takes care of clinical data entry for each doctor and also understands the need of their doctor and provides the RELEVANT CLINICAL data as required. At later stage, this data collection will feed our A.I. Engine and make it practical.
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What sets you apart in comparison to existing players in the field of cloud computing and other IT Services? Unlike traditional OPD management / HIMS software players our Smart OPD Technology platform has gone steps ahead to solve the last mile issue of IT penetration into care delivery. Traditional HIMS and OPD Management companies have been addressing the software requirements while ignoring the pressing need for an integrated approach to better healthcare system involving the entire eco-system of doctors, pharmacy and labs. Unlike existing players our platform is available to hospitals on a ‘Zero Capex “model. Similarly our“Tap & Pay”model completely eliminates the need for patients to waste valuable time at billing and registration counters. Thus, hospitals are able to address a larger intake of OPD patients.Patients use the NFC-based cash card to pay for all OPD services seamlessly leading to automated billing and improved productivity. Our Smart OPD infrastructure solution provides hospitals with a Clinical Informatics Executive where required. Doctors are equipped with smart devices enabling them to quickly enter patient prescriptions digitally while able to access clinical data from labs
OUR GOAL IS TO IMPROVE IT ADOPTION, MINIMISE THE IT SPEND AND MAXIMISE OUTPUT TO OUR CLIENTS SO WE CONTINUE TO BE A DIFFERENTIATOR IN THIS SEGMENT.
and specialist recommendations. The entire ecosystem of Labs, Pharmacy and even the patient are automatically informed leading to faster filling of prescription, lower waiting times for lab tests and automatic medicine intake reminders to patients.
logo or picture awaited
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INNOVATIONS IN HEALTHCARE
out of our service. Current issue of data unavailability at right time at right place boils down to huge revenue leakage, lot of hit and miss strategies, added spent on additional manpower for ecosystem partners and the hospital/clinic owners. Our powerful MIS system provides lot of insights on ETA, conversions, real time delay reflectors, stock movements and forecasts, seasonal requirements, demand and supply ratio, occupancy level at each specialty on real time basis.
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
EMEDICOZ ENHANCING MEDICAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE eMedicoz, a platform for medical students and doctors to share and discuss clinical cases and medical images, will enable medical students and doctors advance their learnings on latest cases, techniques and learning, says Dr Sumer Sethi, Founder of eMedicoz, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr Sumer Sethi Founder of eMedicoz
Q
How eMedicoz app is facilitating communication?
The app is India’s first medical education centric mobile based platform where doctors and medical students can interact with each other and experts. Success of this app can be gauged by the fact that it is already a 40,000 plus member digital medical community within first two months of launch where medical students and doctors are sharing useful information. The platform comprises discussion forums for all different aspects and fields of medicine. Basically, the aim of making this app is to bridge the gap amongst medical students preparing for various career opportunities at postdoctoral level and provide them a common platform where they can get all useful information in one place.
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Q
How useful is this app for medical students?
With it medical students can grow their professional network. They will get an opportunity to discuss medical cases with their seniors and peers across the world. They can join discussion forum and interact with specialists of this field. The app provides platform where students even discuss exam papers, questions of both national and international disciplines and how to deal with it. One can get expert’s suggestions on how to move forward in critical cases.
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How this technological advancement is beneficial for eLearning as an app?
On this app various eLearning courses and medical learning videos are available. Some of the courses and video lectures are free and some are subscription-based.
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We aim to disrupt the way medical education based content is consumed by medical graduates. In this app we are bringing a concept of blended learning. Courses will be a blend of live streaming and recorded videos which will be followed by post tests. Globally, today it is recognised blended learning along with support by digital community accelerates the learning curve for any student and we want to pioneer this in India. Many of the courses would include access to high yielding eBooks and Mock exams. This app will be particularly useful for doctors preparing for various post graduate exams including NEETPG, NEET Super speciality, USMLE, PLAB, MRCP, Australian & Canadian exams. For senior doctors, we aim to bring various digital CME activities to help them keep abreast with the recent developments in the medial field.
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ADVERTORIAL
TRIDENT
An Innovative Healthcare START-UP Trident has come up with an innovative technological solution to make quality reporting available, accessible, and affordable without any demographic hindrances with the introduction of Super Pathologist, says Prof Kshama Hiremath, Co-founder & CEO, Trident Diagnostics in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Prof Kshama Co-founder & CEO Trident Diagnostics
Trident – An Innovative Healthcare Start-Up Trident Diagnostics was born out of a dream to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable to one and all. The ambitious healthcare start-up was founded by entrepreneur couple Prof. Kshama and Mr. Kirandev, who have competent experience in healthcare and marketing domains respectively. Initiated in the year 2015, Trident Diagnostics has metamorphosed as one of the
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
fastest growing diagnostic centres in Bengaluru with over 10,000 samples reported in a month, caters to over 250 laboratories, has 13 affiliated centres, and has 2 franchised units. Further, the company has grown into an omnibus healthcare centre with the introduction of High-Risk Pregnancy, Diabetic, Geriatric and Heart Clinics. As a testament to the company’s commitment towards quality, Trident has achieved ISO 9001:2015
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Certification along with the elite NABL Accreditation (ISO 15189: 2012) NABL MC – 2251 in a short span of time since its inception. Being a young and dynamic company, which is constantly exploring ways to make healthcare better, Trident has come up with an innovative technological solution to make quality reporting available, accessible and affordable without any demographic hindrances with the introduction of Super Pathologist.
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ADVERTORIAL
What is Super Pathologist? Super Pathologist is a cloud-based software solution that integrates healthcare on a technological platform. With Super Pathologists, labs can remotely relay, communicate and generate reports for samples, anywhere and anytime. The software is designed and developed to empower laboratories by addressing the key challenges, which include quality, turnaround time, efficiency and reliability. How does Super Pathologist Work? A Trinocular Microscope at source laboratory is connected to the internet and live images of the specimen are virtually relayed to the in-house pathologists at Trident. The software enables the pathologist
to communicate remotely through visual, voice and chat options to get the desired views. After a satisfactory review of the specimen, the pathologist records the impressions, which will be digitally signed and printed out at source in no time. All records will be stored in cloud and can easily be accessed whenever needed. Advantages of Super Pathologist
INITIATED IN 2015, TRIDENT DIAGNOSTICS HAS METAMORPHOSED AS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES IN BENGALURU WITH OVER 10,000 SAMPLES REPORTED IN A MONTH, CATERING TO OVER 250 LABORATORIES
With Super Pathologist, small and medium laboratories will have the leverage of delivering reports, ensuring improved quality of reports. Further, the mass engagement of technology will directly benefit labs in reducing reporting cost per sample, saves money involved in logistics and instant reporting will significantly amplify intake of samples, which would result in increased productivity and higher profitability. Features of Super Pathologist With a greater vision to deploy the services to remote locations, rural areas, tier 2 and 3 cities, Super Pathologist is developed to work on 2G technology with low-latency access to files and live-streams for video. Affiliated centres will receive awareness,
education and operational training by Trident. How Super Pathologist could be a game changer? Given the fact that Indian diagnostic industry is fragmented, Super Pathologist can integrate and empower small and medium laboratories to deliver quality reports with minimal infrastructure and inhouse specialists. With Super Pathologist, Hospitals and Nursing Homes can have instant access to reports in cases of emergency. Most importantly, the technology can penetrate remote areas, which have limited access to pathologists. To avail Super Pathologist services, laboratories should enter a formal agreement to comply with Trident’s quality standards and should strictly adhere to QC check on a daily basis, which needs to be reported to the main centre. As part of its introductory package, all related equipment will be provided by Trident at an attractive price that includes free sampling of reports. Currently, 4 labs have agreed to come on board and the numbers are expected to swell as the technology gains prominence.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
Godrej Appliances
Bringing Specialised Healthcare Cold Chain Solutions with Sure Chill Technology The Healthcare cold chain is plagued with issues of unreliable cooling, freezing of stocks, low hold over especially during power outages. Godrej medical refrigerators with Surechill technology provides the answer to all these issues. Our goal in 2018 is to ensure that we reach out to every Health care professional and make them aware of the benefits of this technology. We intend to scale up installations across India and Africa… says Jaishankar Natarajan, Assistant Vice President, Head, New Business Development, Godrej Appliances, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Jaishankar Natrajan Assistant Vice President, Head New Business Development , Godrej Appliances
Q
What innovations has Godrej Appliances embarked upon to provide solutions for the healthcare industry? Godrej Appliances is a pioneer in the home appliances space, having introduced Refrigerators in this country way back in 1958. Over the many years we have introduced several technological innovations in this field. Some of the examples are- PUF technology, Powder coated Color panels, Completely green refrigerators, most energy efficient
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
appliances- the recent one being the introduction of most efficient and green Air conditioner. The company has acquired considerable expertise during this journey of 60 years and is now rightfully considered as the “Cooling Expert”. Under the aegis of the company’s ‘Good and Green’ philosophy, Godrej is committed to providing solutions which addresses both ecological and social issues. The partnership with Sure Chill, addresses a key need of providing, precise cooling solutions
eHEALTH Magazine
for preserving vaccines, Blood, Insulin and vital medicines used within the Healthcare system”. Most of the vital Healthcare stocks need to be stored, between 2-80c at all times, to maintain its efficacy and potency. Existing Ice Lined Refrigerator technology, while being better off than domestic refrigerators, has several limitations: key amongst them are --- freezing of stocks when in contact with side walls, Poor Gross to Net storage volumes, Wide temperature variation within the
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In the case of Solar powered ILRs, issues of failure of charge controllers, batteries, Low life of accessories, maintenance of solar panel are some of the problems faced. Godrej Medical refrigerator powered by Surechill technology resolves all of these major issues. It assures “No Freezing” of stock, provides hold over time ranging from 3 days to 13 days at an ambient of 43 deg, is completely passive with no major moving parts for temperature control and has very low stratification (variation of temperature between any 2 points within the storage chamber). The Off Grid solution eliminates Charge controller and Battery – 2 main causes of field failure and connects the device directly to the solar panel through a plug and play connection. The products are backed by the guarantee of quick efficient service through the wide Godrej Service network, present even at taluka level.
Q
How does this Sure chill technology work to assure a safe, reliable cooling solution?
The core of this technology is rooted in the anomalous behavior of water. Water is densest at 4 degrees and is lighter at higher and lower temperatures. This phenomenon is seen during freezing winter when lake surfaces freeze while the water below remains at 4 deg and sustains aquatic life. Water when cooled to this temperature, starts settling down. Cooling beyond this temperature
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results in ice formation which floats creating a thermal bank. Once stabilized, this technology requires only 2.5 hours of power supply to sustain the thermal ice reservoir, which allows the contents of the refrigerator to remain cool even without power supply. During its normal use for access to remove or store, the storage chamber might witness an ingress of ambient air which could lead to temperature rise. This rise in temperature is quickly absorbed by the cold walls to maintain chamber temperature within the 4 deg band. The water, within the contained tank, warms up and rises and comes in contact with the thermal ice bank. Heat exchange occurs to normalize water temperature to 4 deg. This cycle continues till such time the thermal ice bank is depleted – The hold over period. Surechill technology provides options of holdover period from Medium ( 3-4 days) in some models to long holdover ( over 7- 13 days), measured at ambient of 43 deg. The technology completely eliminates the risk of freezing as it is indirect water cooling and not conventional Thermostat controlled defrosting refrigerator.
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What are the main goals for the Healthcare Cold Chain business for 2018?
We have co-llocated and set up the production facility within our main Manufacturing plant at Shirwal. We are the only Indian manufacturer to have our entire range WHO PQS prequalified and have exported our products to over 2 dozen countries across the globe. Truly living willing up to the promise of “Make in India for the Globe”. The year 2018 will see us continue this journey of exporting to more countries, with
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ONE OF THE MAIN GOAL OF THE COMPANY FOR 2018 IS TO IDENTIFY VARIOUS SECTORS WHERE OUR EXPERTISE CAN BE REACHEDOUT TO PROVIDE LIKE VACCINATION PROGRAMME, BLOOD BANKS, OR EVEN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, ETC. IN RECENT YEARS, WE HAVE EXPORTED TO OVER 2 DOZEN COUNTRIES.
focus specifically on Southeast Asia, North, Central and West Africa. Within India , we are not only catering to the Immunization Cold chain but have also customized products to meet requirements of blood banks, Hospitals for storage of Insulin and Lab reagents. We expect to scale our activities in these areas while also introducing the product for use in animal health care set up. All of our efforts will be completely backed up by a wide network of welltrained service technicians who will ensure quick efficient service.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
storage chamber, Low hold over, high risk of part failure especially thermostat. UNICEF estimates that close to 70% of vital vaccines are rendered useless within the health care supply chain due to these limitations.
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EXPERT OPINION
What’s in the Offing in Healthcare Technology? Predictions for Technology
AI/ML/Robotics It is my hope and desire to see physicians and surgeons working alongside AI and any form of robotics to enhance treatment outcomes and patient experience while bringing costs down. We are bound to witness robots that will be able to work alongside humans by 2030. The risk of injury or mistakes (human) while working with robots
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
will diminish with a combination of enhanced ML (Machine Learning) / AI (Artificial Intelligence) and new soft materials that won’t pose injury risk. Cars were seen as a “menace” to horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians when the automobile made its first appearance. We too shall evolve. Tools such as AI/ML/ Robots must be seen as enhancers to patient-physician dynamic instead of replacement.
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Inder Davalur
KIMS Hospital, Group CIO @ehealthonline
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49 Software Defined World
Connected Patient I will stake out my territory and take credit here for a phrase I coined and will fervently hope it becomes household by 2025. Connected Continuum of Care or 3Cs. I strongly believe that healthcare will finally outstrip Finance/Banking and Manufacturing sectors in the adoption and development of technology. Here’s why. The slow plodding foray into technology has actually given the healthcare sector the opportunity to leapfrog other said industries. Once the consumer of healthcare realizes that the high
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AI (Again) in Customer Experience (CX) Remember back in the 1990s when hordes of well-intentioned literary types were typing away reviews and recommendations on the then online bookseller Amazon? Well, I do and guess what? In one fell swoop, a very primitive (compared to current) form of AI replaced all those bookworms with an algorithm that did a much better job. That was then. Now, the acceleration of AI and ML is palpable. Aided by gargantuan storage devices coupled with everincreasingly powerful processors, AI and ML are now self-propagating living breathing things. Nowhere near human intelligence, these algorithms are working their tiny asses off to catch up. And they will. Now imagine a proliferation (already happening) of bots that are watching and listening to most of what we do and say, learning from our expressions and trying to learn our mood and affect; learning the nuances of our language – making a distinction between expressions “Get out” and “Get outta here” for instance. These bots will evolve from faceless interfaces with text and voice
eHEALTH Magazine
ONCE THE CONSUMER OF HEALTHCARE REALIZES THAT THE HIGH QUALITY OF CARE THAT IS POSSIBLE THROUGH COMBINING ACTUAL TANGIBLE CARE WITH TECHNOLOGY, THERE WILL BE NO GOING BACK. HOSPITALS THAT REALISE THIS AND ENABLE THIS WOULD BE THE TRENDSETTERS. THEY WILL GET TO WRITE THE RULES
of today to full-faced with wellarticulated expressions conveying empathy, excitement, annoyance etc. Put that in a patient-doctor virtual consultation. And,voila! you have a perfect recipe for a basic virtual medical assistant. Extend that to a Nursing Home or an Elderly Care Home for providing a conversational companion for those who do not get regular visitors. Or, if the individual enjoys talking about plants and flowers, the assistant could delve into information on the kind of plants or flowers this person loves and talk about them. Perhaps show images and videos of meadows and gardens. Well, it could happen.
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EXPERT OPINION
Increasingly, software companies and hardware architects and manufacturers are seeing the lines getting blurred. Welcome to multi-tasking in the technology world. Operating Systems being sold as separate from hardware (read laptops/desktops/PDAs) will disappear. OS-on-chip with ‘flash updates’ will become the norm. HDD/SSD or a storage device in any form will increasingly become the destiny for data storage or in the case of SSD, even a cache device for number crunching functions. The OS will reside on robust chips and applications will find their home on the Cloud on a SaaS model. SD-WAN is already a reality. ‘Nuff said on that.
quality of care that is possible through combining actual tangible care with technology, there will be no going back. Hospitals that realise this and enable this would be the trendsetters. They will get to write the rules.
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HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
THIS CENTURY BELONGS TO SERVICE INDUSTRY WITH HEALTHCARE BEING PART OF IT: RAVI BHANDARI We go where we are relevant. We have a unique model of setting up outpatient clinics, analyse patient trends from the clinics before setting up a facility there. We monitor what kind of benefits are required in cities or areas and accordingly decide on making investments, says Ravi Bhandari, CEO, Shalby Limited, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Ravi Bhandari CEO, Shalby Limited
Q
What are the key trends you foresee for India’s healthcare industry in the current year?
This industry was driven by nursing homes: then we saw trust hospitals, but this has stopped. Since last decade, we see more of corporate hospitals coming up. This is a major shift witnessed in the healthcare industry: from nursing homes to trust hospitals to corporate hospitals. Hospital business model is now scalable with help of proper controls in terms of processes and technology. With growing corporatisation, people’s expectations are also going up. They are aware especially in terms of obtaining mediclaim, health insurance, healthcare facilities etc., leading to increase in providing better healthcare services in both Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. In the past, we’ve seen a century
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
belonging to manufacturing industry sector; now this century belongs to service sector with healthcare being a part of it.
Q
In 2017, the industry witnessed various policy announcements from the Government with more expected this year as well. How do you evaluate investment opportunities in the hospital sector?
It is a regular phenomenon of the government to announce policies for the industry. At the same time, it provides various healthcare benefits which are least talked about—in media or likewise. For instance, Section 35AD of Income Tax (Deduction in respect of depreciation on capex incurred on setting up of a Specified Business); whereby hospitals, in their first year of operation, can claim 100 per cent depreciation. (It was 150 per cent for hospitals operational till
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31 March 2017). Usually, this helps in cash flow for the company. Also, while hiring employees—in the salary bracket of Rs 25,000 — the money spent for the incremental amount, additional 30 per cent rebate is given in the income tax, and it continues for three years. In states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan several healthcare benefits are offered on similar lines.
Q
Tell us about Shalby Hospitals’ investment.
We go where we are relevant. We have a unique model of setting up outpatient clinics. We monitor what kind of benefits are required, in cities or areas, and accordingly we decide on making investment. In Guwahati, recently, we have partnered with the existing hospitals to provide orthopaedic service. Plans are afoot to expand in Northern, Central and Eastern region.
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Nowadays, nutraceuticals have received considerable interest due to potential nutritional, safety and therapeutic effects. Pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals both can cure and prevent diseases. However, only pharmaceuticals have governmental sanction, says Dr Ajit Gupta, Founder and Director, Park Group of Hospitals in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr Ajit Gupta Founder and Director Park Group of Hospitals
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How Indian healthcare industry needs to be looked at as a whole rather than only sickness or illness to offer total health solutions to patients? Getting an adequate dosage directly from the natural sources is the only possible way. Besides, reliance on nutraceuticals is vital to view health as a whole rather than something just limited to illness to provide patients wholesome health solutions. With a surge in several lifestyle diseases, there is however a growing interest and enthusiasm to explore benefits of health foods, dietary supplements and nutraceuticals.
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How are alternate medicines and nutraceuticals becoming a part of people’s lives and what’s their significance? Alternate medicines and nutraceuticals are part of individuals’ live around the world. In most parts of the Western world, the nutraceutical industry is massive, as compared to that of India
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where we seem to be taking baby steps in health industry. Nutraceuticals may be used to improve health, delay the aging process, prevent chronic diseases, increase life expectancy, or support the structure or function of the body. Nowadays, nutraceuticals have received considerable interest due to potential nutritional, safety and therapeutic effects. Pharmaceuticals are mostly considered as medications, which are used mainly to treat diseases. However, nutraceuticals are the substances mostly considered to prevent diseases. This sort of distinction between pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals is highly erroneous and superficial. Pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals both can cure and prevent diseases. However, only pharmaceuticals have governmental sanction.
Q
How do you view growth rate of nutraceutical business as compared to pharma?
eHEALTH Magazine
The nutraceutical business at this moment is quite substantial and as compared to pharma it is almost one-fourth in size. It has been growing at more than double rate in last 10-12 years. Nutraceuticals are not new. But there is a new level of activity and development in the category that could have a significant impact on pharma. Some might think that nutraceuticals are trivial and on some level driven by urban myth.
Q
How is nutraceutical business going to impact the future of healthcare industry?
The potential for nutraceuticals in the country is immense and this is where food and health ingredient expos play a critical role as it brings suppliers, consultants, foreign and Indian buyers, distributors, retailers, dieticians and other professionals under one umbrella. Nutraceutical business is going to impact the future of healthcare industry in a positive manner. But people need to grow their faith on them.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
‘NUTRACEUTICAL SET TO IMPACT HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY’
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
BPL Medical Technologies
Creating Waves with Innovation in Devices BPL Medical Technologies has shown its extended efforts to deliver standardised medical technology and innovation. With our commitment to Make in India, we help customers experience great quality at unparalleled value, says Dr Karthik Anantharaman, Chief Marketing Officer, BPL Medical Technologies, in an interview with Rajbala of Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr Karthik Anantharaman Chief Marketing Officer BPL Medical Technologies
Q
BPL Medical Technologies is one of the pioneers in the Indian medical devices industries and it has been in operations for more than 50 years. The company has established itself in manufacturing local medical devices.
good R&D and manufacturing teams to deliver quality products in the market. The company’s traditional product line has been diagnostic cardiology equipments like ECG, patient monitor, etc; and we have a significant market share in these product segments. To continue developing new products in India, we invested further on manufacturing capabilities and boosted our R&D and manufacturing facilities.
We have always ensured to set-up
Further, we invested optimally in
Give us a brief about BPL Medical Technologies. What pioneering initiatives has the company taken in medical technology and innovation space?
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
eHEALTH Magazine
building our cardiology, anesthesia, critical care and imaging product portfolio. In imaging segment, we extended our product portfolio and developed our X-ray machines, and other medical equipments. Moreover, we tried to strengthen our commitment to anesthesia and critical care which was in high demand and grow at a rapid pace. To consolidate the same, we acquired UK based Penlon Ltd; in September 2015, a global leader in this segment.
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Our collaboration with the best brains across the world and our high capacity manufacturing facilities provide customers with latest medical technologies at affordable prices. Company has made significant strides in boosting up the local R&D and manufacturing efforts that led to increase in company’s good market share.
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Being one of the leading Indian manufacturers of medical care technologies and equipment, how do you plan to spread your global footprints and which areas are you currently focussing on? We continuously focus on strengthening our presence by delivering quality products globally. We took two prompt steps for this. First, we developed high quality products and locally manufactured in India, which are up to the standards of exports and match market requirement. Second, we acquired a global company Penlon, which has its presence in more than 92 countries and has right regulatory and political formulations. Both of these efforts augmented BPL’s efforts in commercialising products internationally. Our products are currently sold across Africa, Italy and South Asian countries, whereas Penlon’s products are sold across the world.
Q
Could you tell us about your major achievements in 2017 and the goals of BPL Medical Technologies for 2018?
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Considering all the investment in R&D, manufacturing and commercialisation of our products, we have established ourselves as a reliable company in the market and able to reach last mile. Our initiatives have been recognised by ET and conferred the prestigious Frost & Sullivan ‘Customer Value Leadership Award 2016’ in the India medical device technology category. The organisation has also been conferred an award for ‘ET Best Healthcare Brand 2016’. We have also been recognised with six awards for Medical technology innovation. The company was earlier awarded the prestigious Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards in 2011 for ‘Market Share Leadership in the Value Segment of ECG devices’. Recently, we have been recognised by FICCI and awarded as the best healthcare companies in Indian sub continental.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO INTRODUCE INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AND EXPAND OUR CUSTOMER SUPPORT NETWORK IN ORDER TO ENHANCE AND CREATE REACH OF INDIAN MEDICAL DEVICES
Q
How is the company aligned with the country’s goal of providing quality affordable healthcare to the people? Indian healthcare industry has observed quiet a good growth in recent past. We are providing financial options to our customers to create ease for them to buy the healthcare machinery and equipment. Secondly, we are trying to help our customers in generating more revenue by providing them customer marketing support, sales and service support and last mile connectivity to reach Tier-1, 2 and 3 cities.
Q
What kind of technological shift would you predict for the medical appliance industry in 2018?
eHEALTH Magazine
More and more medical devices and appliances will demand smart technology. Newer technologies will create new era of medical data management where devices will start getting the cloud, local servers for medical record and data updates. Smart healthcare or connected healthcare will completely revolutionise the way the medical devices will be designed, developed and manufactured.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
It has patented products in the area of anesthesia as well as critical care solutions which are certified, well developed and exported to more than 92 countries in the world.
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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
Global Patient Portal Making Healthcare Accessible, Convenient Global Patient Portal’s mission is to provide affordable and convenient healthcare. It has painstakingly worked to understand the target market, where we can offer our services and who would be willing to use them, says Michael Koss, CEO, Global Patient Portal, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).
Michael Koss CEO Global Patient Portal
Q
efforts to define their customer and their market.
to achieving that, given the backend challenges with no mean feat.
At Global Patient Portal, we have learned everything must be customised. Patient demographics, doctor habits and technology engagement vary tremendously across India and the world. Consequently, it is vital for market entrants to engage in elaborate
In the fast-paced digital health and med-tech sector, so often, mere speed to market and user acquisition are the focus of an emerging company. However, there is substantial merit in slowing down, proving your methods and addressing your market. This will directly impact the ‘stickiness’ of what is being brought to market. For us, simplicity on the front-end is key
Global Patient Portal lies in the general health space..., we have honed a subscription model of healthcare to address our customers’ needs.
What strategies have been implemented by Global Patient Portal to enhance access to healthcare services in developing countries?
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
eHEALTH Magazine
Q
A lot of players are emerging in the digital healthcare segment each day, How distinctly you are placed? The competitor analysis in our
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From the Global Patient Portal perspective, we have assessed the needs and desires of our core customer based and sought partners who are able to collaborate with us to help fulfill their needs. The more we can offer the customer, in one place, under one price umbrella, through one system, the better! Ultimately, what investors and commercial partners find upon investigating our strategy is that although our service offering is similar to some prominent digital health companies, our product and price point have been honed to address a totally different target population.
Q
As you are also collaborating with various healthcare companies to create bespoke products, tell us about your current collaborations and products developed so far. Although Global Patient Portal is on the cusp of launching a new product line into the Indian healthcare market, this is certainly not a one company show. Over the past four years, we have forged incredible relationships with outstanding
technology companies, healthcare providers and leaders of the healthcare industry in India. Our new product will be launched under our new brand ‘Netik’ to reflect this incoming chapter. “Netik” being a Hindi name meaning ‘excellent’ and ‘best of ’ is most apt when considering our partners, they include: Peoplelink Unified Communications – a Hyderabad based telecommunications powerhouse in India and Africa. We share a vision for healthcare and have embarked upon a true collaboration to develop their superb video-conferencing technology into a unique and appropriate healthcare solution for India. Medachievers India – founded and led by the ever knowledgeable and charismatic healthcare personality Mr Harsha Vardhan. We are working together to bring the new Netik product ‘Quick Clinic’ to market, quickly and to those who need it. Medachievers has been an ever-present source of advice and support. We are thrilled to be sharing this journey with them. As a startup, efficiency is always at the forefront of our minds. Together with these partners and others in Delhi NCR and Kolkata as well as mentors around the country, we have been able to set up Netik - Quick Clinic to achieve swift traction.
Q
Could you highlight major healthcare trends to be witnessed in 2018?
I think the decline of wearables in their current form will continue and spread beyond America. I expect this trend will flow into a number
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OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE FORGED INCREDIBLE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND LEADERS OF THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY IN INDIA.
of home AI type applications which purport to assist in healthcare. I am expecting new technologies to start to come about later in year and bold technology companies that are willing to assume liability and obtain FDA and like approvals for their technology. We are also expecting substantial growth in genomics and the availability of new diagnostic tests with the emphasis being on faster results and collecting a reliable pool of data upon which future technologies will be based.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
business plan is always one of the most controversial and surprising points of enquiry. There are myriad digital healthcare providers, entering the market and addressing challenging problems.
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HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
Kauvery Hospital
A Trusted Healthcare Partner that Cares Quality, innovation and keeping constant pace with the technologies have always been the prime considerations for Kauvery Hospital to deliver best healthcare services in the industry. It always intends to bring and offer unmatched experience at par with the global standards, says Niranjan Ramakrishnan, CHCIO, Group Head IT, Kauvery Hospital in conversation with Rajbala of Elets News Network (ENN).
Niranjan Ramakrishnan CHCIO Group Head IT, Kauvery Hospital
Q
Tell us about Kauvery Hospital’s services and its mission.
other major diseases using cuttingedge medical techniques and latest diagnostic equipments.
Our overall Strategic objective is to establish Kauvery as a trusted healthcare partner delivering great clinical care in an affordable way. We have trained specialists competent in the latest treatment procedures and techniques in various specialities. In terms of services and facilities, we are equipped to treat coronary artery disease, heart disease and
Our dedication and effort towards healthcare has enabled us grow and we have extended our presence in more than four cities and 10 units within 19 years.
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Q
How technology can contribute in standardisation in the fragmented Indian Healthcare environment?
eHEALTH Magazine
By integrating technology, hospitals can easily create platforms for patient doctor communication. The Indian Healthcare system has notched up several significant achievements. Technology in the last decade has revolutionised the way healthcare is delivered worldwide. Easy accessibility, consultation, recommendations of quality healthcare and affordability to the citizens has created ease in patient and doctor communication.
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HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
Moreover, technology enabled services aided patients and providers alike by enhancing the quality of delivery, reduction in turnaround time of workflows and thus the overall cost, besides bringing in higher accountability into the system. The development of the Medical Technology has created a nodal point of reference for the industry, providing a forum for dialogue with the patients, customers, industry players, regulatory bodies and healthcare professionals. The digital integration in healthcare will help domestic and the global medical technology companies to understand the emerging business opportunities and the healthcare ecosystem in India.
Q
How successful has been 2017 for Kauvery Hospital?
ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI, a registered society to liaison between Japan and India across diverse spheres, conferred upon two awards for Kauvery hospital on January 23 at Chennai for 5S Platinum Award and at Delhi on February 26 for Quality Control. Platinum Medal and Certification for the Best Practices in 5S, in Large and Medium Scale Industries is yet another feather in its cap, as Kauvery Hospital is the only hospital to win this award this year, out of 50 companies from the manufacturing and service sector. Kauvery Hospital was selected and recognised as a pioneering initiative under Excellence in Operations using digital platform. Kauvery hospital’s IT initiatives were recognised at a gala event - IDC Insights Awards 2017 in Bangalore. Kauvery Hospital was recognised as a winner in Data Security Category for the 3rd Edition Data center summit and Awards 2017.
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Q
Who may play a major role in adopting standards in clinical information systems?
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is a global voice, advisor and thought leader of health transformation through health IT with a unique breadth and depth of expertise and capabilities to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of health, healthcare and care outcomes. HIMSS Asia-Pacific India Chapter the first Country-specific Chapter of HIMSS outside USA is fully focussed on adopting of standards in clinical information systems in India. Algorithm of Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) automatically scores hospitals to the clinical information system capabilities to an eight-stage (0-7) model measures. HIMSS India chapter’s vision for 2018 is to make sure at least 50 hospitals across India adopt the EMR and reach the best possible levels in the 8 stage scoring.
Q
As organisations prepare themselves for 2018-19 Budget what should be the ideal annual investment in healthcare IT? It’s good to know that the hospitals include IT budget as one of the key parameters in their overall budget and started realising the value of building digital enterprise. There is specific research material in India to indicate the IT budget component, industry best practices suggest that 4 to 4.5% of annual turnover shall be the IT budget for a new IT implementation / revamping of overall IT and 2 to 2.5% of annual turn-over as
eHEALTH Magazine
INFLUENCE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IS ALL PERVASIVE AND POSITIVELY IMPACTED RICH AS WELL AS POOR IN TREATMENT’S ACCESSIBILITY.
operating IT budget.
Q
Roadmap for 2018 for Kauvery IT
At Kauvery, we aim to become the most digitally enabled hospital by 2018-end among the segment we belong to. From fragmented digitisation we are aspiring to become smartly integrated digital enterprise by adopting the innovations in its true sense.
The key performance indicators for IT would be the level at which Lean Management be brought in the organisation using IT, reduce the operational cost without compromising the efficiency and improved patient care.
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HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
MEDICS IMPARTING VALUE-BASED HEALTHCARE Medics aims to deliver various healthcare models across the State to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all. The top priority amongst all will be to streamline the patient experience by combining common activities into a single, common sense workflow, says Dr Mayank Somani, CEO & Director, Medics Super Speciality Hospital in a conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr Mayank Somani
CEO & Director Medics Super Speciality Hospital
Q
Tell us about the hospital — its inception and journey so far. The Medics group was formed with a vision to rewrite the healthcare story in the region and elevate it to a standard at par with International medical facilities. Medics, a 300-bed State-of-theArt tertiary level healthcare set up in Lucknow has the best of equipments, facilities, protocols and practices. The hospital is built in a sprawling 3,50,000 sq.ft area in the heart of the city, Alambagh, Lucknow. The hospital aims to become a true healthcare destination and is committed to provide all medical specialities under one roof. The facility matches the highest standards of healthcare delivery across the world. We have attracted some of the best talent from globe
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
to Lucknow. We have been able to do this because of our focus on team building through fellowship and common goals.
Q
What is the mission and vision of Medics Super Speciality Hospital? Mission of Medics: To create the biggest healthcare story, one that makes a real difference, with each one of us writing it, telling it & living it. Vision of Medics: To create the best possible environment for our Patients to heal, our Medical Consultants to practice and our Employees to work.
Q
Advanced analytics makes it much easier for health systems and hospitals to succeed in value-based care contracts. Kindly
eHEALTH Magazine
share your opinion. Value-based contracting models represent an evolution in clinical and payment methodologies, creating quality and cost outcomes, foster greater accountability, and take advantage of innovations in medical technology. With increasing pressure from Government and employer groups to shift the focus of health care system to improving outcomes, lowering costs, and increasing overall access to care, healthcare is transitioning away from a fee-forservice model. Our value-based contracting offers various payment methods to providers l Payment-based cost efficiency and quality performance l Payment-based process transformation through new
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movement is a growing collection of people, organisations and Governments. To achieve the alignment of value-based care contracts with the healthcare systems, the focus should be on: l Improving the spectrum of clinical care and adding new service levels l Being accountable to the patient l Creation of advanced care teams to include nurse care managers and pharmacists l Automating processes to address prevention and wellness.
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Share with us the major flashbacks of your achievements, projects, challenges and opportunities. My journey in the clinical fraternity started from King George Medical College, Lucknow where I completed my Graduation (with a gold medal
in Medicine). Post this have gone further to achieve clinical degrees in MD Medicine (gold medal); MRCP, Royal College of Physicians London; MRCP, Acute Medicine; MRCP, Diabetes and FCCP, USA. Having grown up in Delhi, I went to Lucknow to work for Avadh Hospital and Heart Centre as a Consultant in General Medicine, Diabetes and Critical Care, I developed a deep understanding of the healthcare scenario in Lucknow, as a nodal point for care and treatment. While working with Avadh Hospital, we scaled it up from a 50 beds hospital to a 100 beds hospital and started delivering tertiary care. Then came another
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initiative of setting up a diagnostic centre named Care Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. that placed ethics at its heart. This pushed me to develop several other ventures, including a 24*7 wellness centre in one of the prime areas of the city. Acknowledging the need for a state-of-the-art tertiary healthcare in Lucknow, we then decided to set up Medics, a 300-bed hospital that has the most modern equipment, facilities, protocols, and practices. It has also attracted some of the best talent from the Globe. Our journey has not been a smooth sailing one however with our continuous efforts and persistence have overcome the challenges. Medics, being a tertiary level super speciality hospital faced obstacles when we started the construction of the building to getting necessary approvals and absence of a single window system. The UP State Government has paved the way for enormous opportunities for healthcare development and we wish to entertain various healthcare delivery models across the State. Our aim is to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all by developing a unique healthcare
Q
What are the priorities you would stress in healthcare technology in 2018? The top priority amongst all will be to streamline the patient experience by combining common activities into a single, commonsense workflow. For instance, the concept “super app”—an app that brings together many different functions into a one-stop-shop for providing and receiving care—can eliminate repetitive or redundant actions. Healthcare industry should witness seamless information flow
eHEALTH Magazine
WE ARE SENSITIVE TOWARDS THE NEEDS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND SHALL PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS HEALTH SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES OF GOVERNMENT. WE ARE ALSO KEEN AND EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP MODELS WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
across all levels. Both Government and private healthcare sector should interact on a digital platform to avoid any lapse in patient information access and spread. The patient information should be easily accessible digitally in all healthcare units, thereby significantly reducing the overall treatment on time and improving clinical outcomes. An interesting use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be to accurately analyse a patient’s medical records and “help highlighting the critical clinical findings”.This technology also has the potential to improve patients’ recovery by telling them what dosage of medication they need and when they should take it. Improving quality of life is one of the main benefits of integrating new innovations into medicine. Medical technologies like minimally-invasive surgeries, better monitoring systems, and more comfortable scanning equipment are allowing patients to spend less time in recovery and more time enjoying a healthy life.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE
technology & process adoption.
l The value-based healthcare
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EXPERT OPINION
Indian Healthcare Sector Then and Now The Indian healthcare sector has grown so well in past few years. In fact, it has become one of the largest sectors in terms of revenue and employment.
Dr Saarthak Bakshi
CEO International Fertility Centre
A
s per the global data, this industry has grown rapidly owing to its reinforcement coverage, best services and increasing money outflow by the public as well private groups.
Moreover, the experts have predicted that there are chances that this sector will record a CARG of 16.5 percent by 2008-20 as the total industry dimension is expected to touch $160 billion by 2017 and $280 billion by 2020. However, this is the first time that India has touched the good level as far as the health and health sector is concerned. Before this history has noted that there were very few policies based on the healthcare sector.
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
It was between 1950s and 1980s when an increase in the healthcare facilities and personnel was observed. However, gradually, due to the fast population growth, the number of licensed medical practitioners per 10,000 individuals had fallen in the 1980s to 3 per 10,000 from the 1981 level of 4 per 10,000.
system that funnels more tricky cases into urban hospitals as attempting to provide routine medical care to the vast majority in the country.
There were about 10 hospital beds per 10,000 individuals in 1991. Major health centers are mainly the cornerstone of the rural health care system.
The Indian health sector works in both public and private sectors. When we talk about the public sector, it majorly consists of facilities run by the Central and State Governments. The services and facilities are provided free of cost or at subsidized rates to lower income groups in rural and urban areas. On the other hands, further, the Indian healthcare industry is going through
During 1991, India constituted around 22,400 primary health centers, about 11,200 hospitals, and 27,400 dispensaries. These services were the vital part of a tiered health care
eHEALTH Magazine
Major health centres and subcategories would majorly rely on skilled practitioners to meet most of their needs.
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The best part is that the middle-class families are continuous growing that directly enhances their reach quality healthcare. In result, an increased ability to pay for better healthcare, the experts in the healthcare sector has majored that the demand for healthcare services has grown from $4.8 billion in 1991 to $22.8 billion in 2001-2002. Today more than 50 million Indians are able to afford western medicine and over 150 million have annual incomes of more than $1,000. In 2018, India has taken one step ahead and come among the best three destinations for medical tourism in Asia. According to a study that was conducted in 2014, the availability of highly qualified and skilled doctors is one of the reasons that people prefer to come to India. Additionally, the low cost of the healthcare treatments and a quality healthcare infrastructure attracts and influence people to come to India. However, the number of doctors and accessible healthcare infrastructure is required, to reach on the top in the list of accessible healthcare facilities. The present Government has played an important role in labelling India as a most travelled country in the search for medical facilities. The Government has promised to make healthcare services accessible to every citizen of India. Additionally, there are so many issues on which the Indian Government is focusing on such as including the incidences of waterborne diseases in the country, poor hygiene and drinking water.
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Let’s take a look at policies that have improved the healthcare India: Focus on Hygiene The Government launched a national campaign in 2014 that was aimed to make India open defecation free country by 2019. Open air defecation and improper sanitation and hygiene bring many serious health diseases like diarrhoea, intestinal infections, cholera, typhoid, etc. Apart from this many waterborne diseases spread around due to the transmission of fecal pathogens via water. It also leads to malnutrition and slow growth in children. In result, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerela became the first three open defecations free States of India. During this programme, the Government provided financial support to the poor to build toilets in households and made more than 80 lakh public toilets till now. The effort is still on to achieve the mission by 2019. Creation of a new Health Policy 2017 (NHP) Indian Government also launched a new national health policy 2017, unfortunately, it took 15 years to get an approval to established the new health policy. This policy is being prepared to strengthen India’s healthcare system. The plan aims to enhance the public health expenditure by 2.5 percent of the GDP from the current 2 percent GDP costs on healthcare. Additionally, the policy aims to deduct the maternal mortality rate, infant and child death rate because of many non-
eHEALTH Magazine
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) IS THE BEST MODEL POSSIBLE IN THE COUNTRY IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR. IT HAS ITS OWN ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES. IT CREATES AN IMPACT BY OFFERING AFFORDABLE SPECIALITY CARE. THE HEALTHCARE ENTREPRENEUR SHOULD SIMULTANEOUSLY FOCUS ON TWO MODELS – HIGH VOLUME LOW MARGIN BUSINESS; AND HIGH MARGIN, LOW VOLUME BUSINESS. WHEN BOTH MODELS GROW TOGETHER, YOU MAKE MONEY AND SOCIAL IMPACT AT THE SAME TIME
communicable and communicable diseases. (The writer is Dr Saarthak Bakshi | CEO, International Fertility Centre. Views are personal.)
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
EXPERT OPINION
an expansion phase because of its healthy economy.
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EXPERT OPINION
Leapfrog Towards Universal Health Coverage in India For decades, launching new policies and programmes, and enactment of legislations seem to have been a characteristic of Indian health sector. The policies and/ or regulations are necessary but not sufficient to bring a change in health outcomes, writes Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, National Professional Officer, Universal Health Coverage, WHO, for Elets New Network (ENN).
Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
National Professional Officer, Universal Health Coverage, WHO
JANUARY 2018 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
I
f health system in India has to be strengthened at fast pace, universal health coverage (UHC) has to be achieved. Strategies and approaches toward India’s new National Health Policy (NHP), 2017, has to be drastically different from the past. A possible solution lies in a remark
eHEALTH Magazine
made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2014, when he observed: “The need of the hour is to think big”. The more we focus on skill, scale and speed, the more it will increase India’s growth trajectory. Though it was said in a different context, it could be very well India’s vision for health sector for the years ahead.
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Any discourse on rapid economic growth has to be contextualised with better health of people. Unless the population is healthy and fit, a country cannot aspire to sustain a high level of economic growth and economic superpower. One extra year of life expectancy adds 4 per cent to GDP; and with every dollar / rupee spent on health, return on investment will be 9 to 10 times. A stronger engagement between Ministries of Health and Finance can create a ‘virtuous cycle’, where rapid economic growth provides much needed fiscal space for higher government health resources. The Government investment on health would prevent people from falling into poverty of health expenditure, and instead accelerates the effort to alleviate poverty in India.
capacity of skilled health workforce. This would contribute to ‘Skill India’ mission and rapid economic growth.
map to cover at least up to 80 per cent population in fast track, time-bound manner. Think speed
‘Swechchgrahi’ under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) can be trained to deliver messages of health promotion and disease prevention, and vice versa. Think scale The way nibbling doesn’t help if you are very hungry; there is need for a few ‘big bites’ for health initiatives in India. Sometimes, the health system needs to be
Set achievable and aggressive targets. For instance, to implement NHP 2017, a lot need to be aimed; set targets for now and for next two years. At least 2-3 states should make public commitment and aim to achieve UHC in next 3 to 5 years. Select Indian states have to show leadership to allocate 8 per cent of state budget for health as proposed in NHP 2017. A road map needs to be developed on how 3-4 percent of GDP for health sector would be ensured in next 6 to 7 years. The targets have to be ambitious and focus has to be on delivering on policies and making sure that services are available for people.
Think Big We observed 70 years of India’s Independence last year, which is a reason enough for doing something transformational to provide better healthcare to every citizens of this nation. In addition, India should aim to assume active leadership role in global discourses on advancing UHC through multi-country forums: G-20, G-77 and others. To this effect, both Home Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs should be engaged in the process, and health should be integrated in Government of India’s foreign policy engagements and exchanges. Think Skill Achieving better health, stronger health systems and UHC in India would require re-skilling of the existing health workforce and increasing the annual production
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pushed to boundaries to deliver. Some of the approaches being used under flagship Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) or for introduction of new vaccines should be adopted for scale up of other health interventions by both Union and state governments of India.
Conclusion
Seventy years of Indian Independence awaits for many more ambitious yet achievable targets, i.e., rapid scale up of free medicines under Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) and Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT). The NHPS, announced in 2016, should be designed to cover at least 50 per cent of the total population from the very first year with a road
The citizen engagement and participation supplemented by ‘solidarity’ can nudge the political and elected leadership to take immediate actions and bring accountability. India can learn from other countries such as Cuba, Thailand and Mexico. It is possible if health systems in India change gear from ‘policy and planning’ to ‘implementation and action’.
eHEALTH Magazine
Much of this is possible by creating an enabling environment. The highest level of political leadership, the Prime Minister at Union level and chief ministers at state level, should publicly commit for UHC in India.
(Views expressed are personal.)
ehealth.eletsonline.com | JANUARY 2018
EXPERT OPINION
Bring economic growth and health together
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