Gives us more details about the MoU with NASSCOM. What led to this move?
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Anjan Bose
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The MoU will try to address challenges in the healthcare sector that can be significantly impacted through the use of Information Technology (IT), for e.g., m-Health can be developed effectively to enable remote diagnostics and significantly raise the level of healthcare accessibility. This is of critical importance, considering that 45 per cent of Indian population travel more than 100 km to access a higher level of care. NATHEALTH was created with the vision to be the credible and unified voice in healthcare. Leading healthcare service providers, medical technology providers (devices and equipment), diagnostic service providers, health insurance companies, health education institutions, healthcare publishers and other stakeholders are coming together to build NATHEALTH as a common platform to power the next wave of progress in Indian healthcare. NATHEALTH is an inclusive institution that has representation of small and medium hospitals and nursing homes. For NASSCOM, therefore, NATHEALTH came as a natural partner to work with. For decades, there are companies working on their own to reach the tremendous potential that IT has in healthcare, there are many islands of excellence, but this is the first time that NASSCOM has found a collaboration partner which offers such a high level of diverse and proven competence in healthcare on one single platform.
What kind of technology would be a part of the deal and how would it be harnessed to deliver better healthcare?
Time will tell and sky is the limit. NASSCOM is committed to enabling and accelerating the transformative power of technology for India’s growth and development, particularly in the healthcare sector, by harnessing IT industry’s globally proven capabilities, along with the growing trend of innovation and entrepreneurship. On the other hand, healthcare sector in India has achieved capability, maturity and global recognition. India has now become a preferred global destination for advanced healthcare services at a most competitive and economical cost. Healthcare already has the benefits of great technological innovation in many areas like imaging, oncology, ophthalmology, pathology, surgery to name a few. Combining this with the deliverables from the IT sector in a focused manner and a structured approach could open up disruptive innovations and processes that will finally benefit the patients and also contribute to progress of both the sectors.
Elucidate about the benefits of the MoU to both IT and healthcare sectors?
The healthcare sector has excellent opportunities that the IT sector can capitalise on and grow further. As part of the MoU, the collaboration will aim to leverage technology for innovative solutions which will help both the sectors. Emerging technologies like cloud, analytics, pervasive presence of mobile telephony and broadband penetration have created new opportunities for both sectors to collaborate and work towards enhancing healthcare quality, accessibility and affordability. Hence, this has the potential to become a powerful symbiotic relationship benefitting both the sectors and improving patient care.
What kind of investment would go into this venture?
NATHEALTH and NASSCOM have just signed the MoU, hence the details have to be worked out. Let’s remember that one of the most powerful outcomes of this collaboration is the availability of the ‘combined talent force’ of the leaders in IT and healthcare sectors. Coming together of such think-tank in a structured way is itself a strong and positive resource. Both institutions will look at opportunities to invest. We will also reach out to the central and state governments to explore the possibilities of working together for win-win solutions.
What are the healthcare challenges that can be mitigated through good IT deployment?
There are many areas in healthcare where IT could be of great help. Technology and mobile health could significantly address the skill-set gap that is one of the biggest concerns in healthcare, particularly in the semi-urban and rural segments. Then there is the unresolved issue of database management which is another major concern in healthcare. IT could be of great help here. Electronic health/medical record (EHR/EMR) is an unmet need even today. NATHEALTH-NASSCOM collaborative partnership could try to come out with pragmatic, scalable and cost-effective solutions in this critical area.
Are you looking at any other strategic alliances?
Yes we are, with a few other eminent Indian, as well as global institutions where there is a possibility of ‘meeting of minds’ and also aligned interest for common goals, coupled with complementary competencies.
