Covid 19 pandemic was a turning point that accelerate the process of the digital shift in the healthcare industry. The start-up ecosystem and Unified Health Interface have brought out uniformity, and interoperability on the journey to higher digital innovation as stated by Sanjeev Malhotra, CoE, Centre for excellence IoT and AI, NASSCOM. 

In the wake of the pandemic, the patient footfall broke the balance between doctor-patient numbers. However, the digitalization of mundane tasks and activities reduced the pressure, so that the entire workforce can dedicatedly focus on care delivery. The process need not root out innovations, but they only mainstreamed the teleconsultation that existed for a long time. Similarly, many IoT/AI-based solutions such as self-diagnostics and full-stack monitoring solutions took place over time. The CoE of NASSCOM in his partnership with BIRAC and Healthcare Innovation Challenge has created a unique framework that accounts for all the problems in adopting digital technology in the healthcare sector. 

He added that they facilitate indigenous innovation by enabling the development, validation, and scaling of the solutions in collaboration with industry, government, and academia. In a joint initiative with the Ministry of Electronics & IT, new centers have been set up in Bengaluru, Gurugram, Gandhinagar, and Vizag and respective state governments.  He explained that AI, IoT, and Bigdata are an obligation for all Deep Tech digital health care solution providers. These three play an important role in transforming the healthcare system by enhancing medical solutions, early diagnosis, accurate treatment, and setting up smart healthcare technologies. 

Further explaining the importance of UHI in the healthcare sector, he stated that it will bring transparency and ease of care by sharing data between institutions. Privacy and the protection of data are an essential part of digital healthcare and related essential measures to mitigate risks such ad HIPPA guidelines, risk assessment audits, and incident response plans have been adopted. 

Source: ET Healthworld