In the era of the coronavirus pandemic, telehealth has become a valuable tool for healthcare providers and patients alike – allowing consultations to be had even during a period of stringent lockdown. India is no exception – as if to underscore this point, the Delhi government announced earlier this week free online consultations for the […]
e-health
E-health growth fuelled by online pharmacies
The e-health segment in India continues to grow with online pharmacies leading the way. Currently valued at US$1.2 billion, Bengaluru-based firm Red-Seer Consulting estimates the e-health sector to reach US$16 billion in the next five years with online pharmacies fuelling the increase in its value. Uptake is also projected to swell, with 57 million Indian […]
Kerala’s startups touted for their role in cancer care
Health minister K. K. Shailaja has emphasised the importance of Kerala’s startups in the state’s healthcare system. Speaking at a symposium jointly organised by the Cochin Cancer Research Centre and Kerala Startup Mission, Shailaja touted the role of Kerala’s startups in care for diseases such as cancer. “We at the ministry keep getting requests for […]
E-pharmacy regulation on the cards as ministers meet
E-pharmacy regulation is being discussed by ministers as the industry grows by leaps and bounds in India. The sector, which accounts for between two and three percent of the US$20 billion pharma market in India at present, is expected to grow sevenfold by 2022 when it is expected to be valued at US$3.7 billion compared […]
Google and India to work together on a digital society
Google and India will cooperate to create a ‘Digital India’ – with healthcare playing a role. The initiative – a collaboration announced by the internet giant and the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) – will reach out to students of engineering to create digital technology solutions to pressing social issues, including health. […]
Cybersecurity: How does Indian pharma fare?
As little as five percent of pharmaceutical companies have secure cybersecurity systems, an expert in the field said at a recent forum. Sal Krishna, chairperson of the Global Cybersecurity Forum, said between five and ten percent of pharmaceutical companies in India possess the security systems needed to protect data from hackers. Many, he added, do […]
Digital health records are being used more and more. Are they secure?
Digital health records are increasingly popular among healthcare professionals, with recent data suggesting 76 percent of practitioners use them. This was according to a report published by Royal Phillips, a global health technology company which stated “digital health technology is a pivotal pillar in delivering value-based care across the healthcare continuum in India.” This trend […]
Digital health blueprint announced by Dr Vardhan
The government will utilise digital health to expand access to healthcare and achieve universal health coverage (UHC), Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has pledged. The National Digital Health Blueprint, which Vardhan announced in New Delhi yesterday, will serve to implement a National Digital Health Ecosystem with the goal of “[establishing] state-of-the-art digital health systems.” […]
AI in healthcare: The coming expansion
The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is one of the most significant trends to have emerged in digital health in recent years. New projections suggest the sector can expect significant growth in the next few years. By 2026, forecasters have said AI-based healthcare will be worth US$8 billion – a growth of 49.7 […]
Is online quackery making you sick?
Many people who fall ill may turn to the internet to check their symptoms. But doctors are warning that getting yourself checked out online could be damaging to health. Medicos in Patna have warned that online check-ups, whilst convenient, could lead to risky behaviour like self-medication if individuals are misdiagnosed. “There can be many diseases […]