By eHealth Network —
Dr Shuchin Bajaj, CEO, Founder Director, Ujala Cygnus Hospitals shares his insights on the future roadmap of Health IT in the country. Edited excerpts:
Has India’s health care system embarked on a purely digital journey?
With the advent of the digital medium in healthcare services, doctors and patients are more connected now as compared to the previous times. Patients are getting top-notch medical care without even stepping into a hospital. All the medical giants are exploring various facets to strengthen their customer base even in tier II and tier III cities to bridge the distance. Through technological advances, it’s now possible to perform certain surgeries and deliver essential drugs and medical supplies from thousands of miles away. Almost 77 per cent of healthcare consumers have welcomed this virtual consultation trend with open arms. This shows that digital healthcare is making healthcare accessible for all at a potentially lower cost to the consumer. No doubt, changing digital tools can only be good for overall health.
How do you see the role of technology in pre and post Covid healthcare?
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, India and several developing countries around the world were already beginning to embrace digital innovations to combat challenges of socio-economic inequality. And, the pandemic accelerated the humanizing of digital technology – it brought people together at a time when physical distancing was legally mandated in many parts of the world. No longer just a tool, technology became an enabler and vehicle of human connection for family, friends, and colleagues who were, overnight, asked to stay at home for an indefinite amount of time.
This interview was originally posted on eHealth Magazine on April 18, 2022.