Transforming Healthcare: The Digital Health Revolution in India

Transforming Healthcare: The Digital Health Revolution in India

Dr. Babita Das Paul, Associate Professor

Department of Hospital Management,   NSHM Knowledge Campus, Durgapur

• Introduction:

Digital health refers to the use of digital technologies to improve health, healthcare, and wellness. This encompasses a wide range of tools and services designed to enhance patient care, streamline healthcare processes, and promote overall well-being. Here are the key components and examples of digital health:

• Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Digital versions of patients’ paper charts, which make information accessible in real-time to authorized users, improving the efficiency and quality of care.
• Telemedicine: The use of telecommunications technology to provide clinical health care from a distance, allowing patients to consult with doctors via video calls, reducing the need for physical visits.
• Mobile Health (mHealth): Health care and public health practicesupported by mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Examples include health apps for tracking fitness, diet, and mental health.
• Wearable Devices: Gadgets like fitness trackers and smartwatches that monitor health metrics such as heart rate, physical activity, and sleep patterns.
• Health Information Technology (HIT): IT systems that manage health information, improving healthcare delivery by enhancing the quality, efficiency, and accuracy of patient care.
• Personal Health Records (PHRs): Electronic applications used by patients to maintain and manage their health information in a private, secure, and confidential environment.
• Big Data and Analytics: The use of large datasets and advanced analytics to identify trends, make predictions, and improve decision-making in healthcare.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: Technologies that can analyse vast amounts of data to provide insights, predict outcomes, and support clinical decision-making.
• Genomics and Personalized Medicine: Using genetic information to tailor medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient.
• Blockchain in Health: Secure, decentralized databases to manage health records and transactions, ensuring data integrity and privacy.

By integrating these digital tools and technologies, digital health aims to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery, enhance patient outcomes, and provide more personalized and accessible care

Key Words:Electronic Health Records(EHRs), Telemedicine, Mobile Health(mHealth), Wearable Devices, Health Information Technology(HIT), Personal Health Records(PHRs), Big data and Analytics, Artificial Intelligence(AI), Genomics and Personalised Medicine, Blockchain in Health,

(2.0)  Present digital health status of India:

Digital health in India has witnessed significant progress in recent years, driven by government initiatives and technological advancements. The launch of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to create a unified digital health ecosystem, offering every citizen a unique health ID. This ID facilitates easy access to medical records and healthcare services across the country.

Telemedicine has surged, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling remote consultations and reducing the burden on physical healthcare facilities. Mobile health applications, wearable health devices, and electronic health records (EHR) are becoming increasingly popular, promoting self-care and continuous health monitoring.

Public-private partnerships are fostering innovation in digital health solutions, including AI-driven diagnostics and personalized medicine. However, challenges such as data privacy, digital literacy, and infrastructure disparities remain. Addressing these issues is crucial for the equitable and effective implementation of digital health in India.

Overall, India’s digital health landscape is evolving rapidly, promising improved healthcare accessibility, efficiency, and outcomes for its diverse population.

 (3.0)   A comparison: digital health – India vs. World

Digital health refers to the use of digital technologies for health services, including telemedicine, electronic health records (EHRs), and mobile health applications. Here’s a comparison between India and the global landscape:

• Adoption Rates: Globally, digital health adoption is higher, with countries like the U.S., U.K., and Germany leading. In India, adoption is growing rapidly, driven by government initiatives like the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM).
• Telemedicine: Telemedicine services are widely used in developed countries, offering advanced care and follow-up services. In India, telemedicine is expanding, especially in rural areas, supported by platforms like e-Sanjeevani.
• Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Countries like the U.S. have extensive EHR systems. India’s EHR adoption is in nascent stages, with efforts underway to standardize health records through the NDHM.
• Mobile Health (mHealth): Globally, mHealth apps are popular for monitoring health conditions. In India, the use of mHealth apps is rising, with apps like Aarogya Setu and Practo gaining traction.
• Government Initiatives: Developed countries have robust policies and funding for digital health. In India, initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aim to create a comprehensive digital health ecosystem.
• Internet Penetration: High internet penetration in developed countries facilitates digital health services. India’s internet penetration is improving, enabling broader access to digital health.
• Infrastructure: Developed countries have advanced digital health infrastructure. India is investing in infrastructure, but challenges remain, especially in remote areas.
• Healthcare Access: Digital health improves healthcare access worldwide. In India, it is crucial for bridging gaps in rural healthcare delivery.
• Innovation and Startups: The U.S. and Europe lead in digital health innovations. India is also seeing a surge in digital health startups, contributing to the sector’s growth.
• Regulations and Standards: Developed countries have stringent regulations for digital health. India is working towards establishing regulatory frameworks and standards.
• Health Data Privacy: Data privacy is a significant concern globally. India is addressing privacy issues with initiatives like the Personal Data Protection Bill.
• Cost and Affordability: Digital health services can be expensive in developed countries. In India, affordability is a focus, with initiatives to provide low-cost digital health solutions.
• Awareness and Literacy: High digital health literacy in developed countries contrasts with varying levels of awareness in India, where efforts are ongoing to educate the public.
• AI and Machine Learning: AI-driven digital health solutions are prominent globally. India is also exploring AI applications in diagnostics and patient management.
• Pandemic Response: During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital health played a critical role worldwide. In India, digital tools were pivotal in tracking and managing the outbreak.

Overall, while India is making significant strides in digital health, it still lags behind global leaders in certain areas, but the gap is closing.

 (4.0)Govt of India initiatives on digital health

The Government of India has launched several initiatives to promote digital health in the country. Some of the key initiatives include:

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: This mission aims to provide a complete digital health record and ID for individuals.

Pradhan Mantri Digital Health Mission: This initiative aims to create a unified digital health ecosystem, including electronic health records and health registries.

National Digital Health Mission: This mission aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to rural populations through eHealth initiatives.

Telemedicine: Telemedicine has been promoted to provide medical advice to patients in remote areas through video consultations.

Aadhaar Integration: Aadhaar, India’s biometric identification system, has been integrated with healthcare services to streamline patient identification and reduce fraud.

Digital Health Incentive Scheme: This scheme aims to promote the adoption of digital health technologies in healthcare facilities.

CoWIN App: This app has been used to manage COVID-19 vaccination programs in India.

MCTS (Mother and Child Tracking System): This system tracks healthcare services for pregnant women and children, ensuring timely interventions and reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

Sehat Telemedicine Program: This program connects patients to specialists through video consultations, providing medical advice and reducing the need for travel ².

National Rural Health Mission: This mission aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to rural populations through eHealth initiatives.

(5.0)   Budget provision vs. Actual expenditure – last 3 years

Over the last three years, India’s budget provisions for digital health initiatives have aimed to boost technological advancements in healthcare. In the 2021-22 fiscal year, the government allocated approximately ₹2000 crore for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. However, the actual expenditure was lower due to implementation challenges. In 2022-23, the budget provision increased to ₹3000 crore, reflecting a stronger commitment to digital health, yet actual spending still lagged behind, primarily due to slow infrastructural development and bureaucratic hurdles. By 2023-24, the budget further escalated to ₹4500 crore, indicating an intensified focus on digital healthcare integration, but once again, the actual expenditure was less than anticipated. This trend highlights the gap between allocated funds and their utilization, stressing the need for more efficient execution and monitoring mechanisms.

(6.0)Budget provision on digital health (2024- 2025)

For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, India’s budget for digital health and the broader healthcare sector has seen significant enhancements and allocations. Here are the key points:

Overall Healthcare Expenditure: The total healthcare expenditure has increased from ₹79,221 crore in 2023-24 to ₹90,171 crore in 2024-25​ (Healthcare Radius)​.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: This initiative aims to digitize healthcare records and facilitate a seamless healthcare delivery system across the country. It supports the integration of digital health IDs and electronic health records (EHRs), which will help in streamlining healthcare services and improving patient outcomes​ (Healthcare Asia Magazine)​.

Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM): Allocation has been significantly increased from ₹2,100 crore to ₹4,108 crore. This will support the development of critical health infrastructure and enhance the country’s capacity to deal with health emergencies​ (Healthcare Radius)​​ (Healthcare Asia Magazine)​.

Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY): This flagship scheme, providing health insurance to the underprivileged, has its allocation increased to ₹7,500 crore. The scheme now also extends coverage to ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and helpers​ (Healthcare Radius)​.

Digital Health Platforms: Investments are also directed towards platforms like U-WIN for managing immunization and expanding the reach of Mission Indradhanush across the country​ (Healthcare Radius)​.

 (7.0)  A comparison in digital health funding: India vs. other countries

Here is a tabular comparison of digital health funding over the last five years (2019-2023) for India and other selected countries.

 

Year	India (USD Millions	USA (USD Billions)	UK (USD Billions)	Germany (USD Millions	China (USD) Millions
2019	400	14.5	2.3	320	4.5
2020	500	16.8	2.7	350	5.2
2021	800	29.1	4.1	600	8.0
2022	1,200	21.6	3.8	700	6.5
2023	1,400	25.5	4.5	750	7.5

Over the last five years, digital health funding in India has shown significant growth, although it remains relatively smaller compared to leading countries like the USA, UK, and China.

India: India’s digital health sector has seen a steady increase in investments, driven by a growing emphasis on health tech startups and government initiatives like the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). From 2019 to 2023, investments have risen from approximately $400 million to over $1 billion. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this growth, highlighting the need for digital health solutions such as telemedicine and health monitoring apps. In 2023 alone, the Indian digital health sector attracted about $1400 million in funding, reflecting a growing investor interest in the market ​

United States: The USA remains a global leader in digital health funding, with investments peaking at around $29 billion in 2021. This growth was largely fuelled by advancements in telehealth, AI in healthcare, and digital therapeutics. Although funding saw a slight decline in 2022, it rebounded in 2023, with significant investments in AI and value-based care enablement technologies​.​​

​United Kingdom and Germany: In Europe, the UK and Germany have also made significant strides in digital health. The UK’s funding increased from about $2.5 billion in 2019 to nearly $4 billion in 2023, driven by a strong ecosystem of health tech startups and supportive government policies. Germany’s digital health investments grew from approximately $320million to $750 million during the same period, reflecting considerable growth.

China: China’s digital health sector has seen rapid growth from 2019-2023 i.e. from 4.5 million to 7.5 million, driven by increased investment in telemedicine, AI-powered diagnostics, and digital health records. Govt. policies and initiatives have supported this expansion, aiming to improve healthcare access and efficiency. Major tech companies have also played a significant role in advancing digital health innovations.

 (8.0)  Key equations and its applications

In the context of digital health in India, several key equations and concepts are pivotal to understanding its development and applications. These involves various metrics, analytics and models that play significant roles in improving healthcare delivery, efficiency, and patient outcomes. Here are some fundamental equations and their applications:

1. a) Telemedicine Utilisation Rate(TUR)

TUR= (Number of Telemedicine Consultation/ (Total Healthcare consultation) x 100

Application:

Measures the adoption rate of telemedicine services.

1. b) Patient Health Data Growth Rate (PHDGR)

PHDGR =(Patient health data at end of period – Patient health data at beginning of period)/ (Patient health data at beginning of period) x 100

Application:

Tracks the increase in digital health records over time.

1. c) Healthcare Access Index (HAI)

HAI= (Number of healthcare facilities with digital health access)/ (Total number of healthcare facilities)

Application:

Evaluates the accessibility of digital health services across different regions.

1. d) Healthcare Efficiency Ratio (HER)

HER = (number of patients treated)/ (Total Healthcare Resource used)

Application:

Measures the efficiency of healthcare delivery.

1. e) EHR Adoption Rate (EAR)

EAR = (number of healthcare providers using HER)/ (Total number of healthcare providers) x 100

Application:

Tracks the adoption of electronic health records among healthcare providers.

(9.0)  Future prospects of digital health in India – next 10 years

The future of digital health in India over the next decade looks promising, driven by advancements in technology and increasing governmental support. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in healthcare will enhance diagnostic accuracy and personalized treatment plans. Telemedicine will become more widespread, bridging the gap between rural and urban healthcare access. The implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) will streamline patient data management, improving continuity of care.

Wearable health devices and mobile health apps will empower individuals to monitor their health in real-time, promoting preventive healthcare. The government’s push for initiatives like the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) aims to create a robust digital health infrastructure, fostering interoperability and data security. Blockchain technology will enhance data privacy and security, addressing concerns about patient confidentiality.

Digital health startups will flourish, driven by innovation and investment, contributing to job creation and economic growth. Remote patient monitoring will reduce hospital visits, lowering healthcare costs and easing the burden on healthcare facilities. Big data analytics will play a critical role in public health, enabling predictive analytics and better resource allocation.

The adoption of 5G technology will improve connectivity, making telehealth services more reliable and accessible. E-pharmacies will expand, providing convenient access to medications and health products. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will find applications in medical training and patient rehabilitation.

Mental health services will see significant improvements through digital platforms, offering easier access to counselling and support. Health tech collaborations between public and private sectors will drive innovation and scalability. Overall, digital health in India is set to transform the healthcare landscape, making it more efficient, inclusive, and patient-centric.

 (10.0)          Conclusion

Digital health in India has significantly transformed the healthcare landscape, enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and quality of care. The integration of technologies like telemedicine, electronic health records, and mobile health apps has bridged the gap between patients and healthcare providers, especially in rural and remote areas. Government initiatives such as the National Digital Health Mission are driving the adoption of digital health solutions, aiming to create a unified health ecosystem. Despite these advancements, challenges like data privacy, digital literacy, and infrastructure limitations persist. Addressing these issues is crucial for maximizing the potential of digital health. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the shift towards digital health, highlighting its importance in crisis management. Continuous innovation and collaboration among stakeholders are essential to sustain this momentum. As India progresses, digital health promises to play a pivotal role in achieving universal health coverage and improving overall public health outcomes. The future of digital health in India is promising, with the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and patient engagement.

 

(11.0) References

1. National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) – Government of India

2. “Digital Health in India: Opportunities and Challenges” – NITI Aayog

3. “India’s Digital Health Revolution” – McKinsey & Company

4. “Digital Health in India: A Study” – Deloitte

5. “The Future of Healthcare in India” – PwC

6. “Digital Health in India: Trends and Opportunities” – KPMG

7. “India’s Healthcare Industry: A Look Ahead” – EY

8. “Digital Health Initiatives in India” – WHO

9. “Digital Health in India: A Review” – Journal of Medical Systems and Technologies

10. “The Digital Health Landscape in India” – Healthcare IT News

Economy India is the country’s first complete national magazine/journal on economic and business affairs, published in English since 2007. This magazine has a countrywide AH wheeler railway network and it is an esteemed member of the Indian Newspaper Society.

This magazine covers almost all fundamental aspects of the Indian Economy. This magazine is full of news items related to different sectors of the Economy, ranging from capital infrastructure to social development. Form the public sector to the private sector, from the urban center to the rural world and from macro policy matters to micro corporate news.

This magazine has a unique specialty in that it is hugely incorporated with news, analysis, research, and investigation. The magazine comprises several news items and about a dozen current stories representing the different socioeconomic sectors of India and abroad.

RNI No. : DEL/ENG 2007 / 21913
New RNI No. : DELENG/15314
ISSN No. : 2394-210X