Primary research with C-suite executives in healthcare reveals that an AI strategy is high on their priority with plans to accelerate its adoption organisation-wide, but are currently constrained by lack of available skill sets

Summary of survey findings :

• 96 per cent executives believe that current healthcare education is outdated vis-à-vis knowledge about new technologies

• 100 per cent acknowledge that AI can solve complex challenges for healthcare in India

• 90 per cent of executives have an AI strategy in place

• A majority are accelerating plans to adopt with Covid-19 having paced up plans to adopt AI even further

• A lack of knowledge and skillsets available is a challenge to these best-laid plans

• There is a high focus on upgrading the skills of the current workforce with respect to AI

BML Munjal University, a Hero Group Initiative, unveiled a report at its 2nd AI industry conclave on “Embracing the shift in healthcare”, that was organized virtually on Wednesday – February 10, 2021. With a foreword from Sunil Kant Munjal, Chancellor, BMU & Chairman, Hero Enterprise, the report titled AI: Embracing the shift in healthcare, summarizes the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for India’s healthcare sector, factors driving its adoption, practical insights into its functioning in the Indian context gathered through a primary survey with C-suite executives in healthcare organisations and recommendations for its future prospects.

The research report was released by Dr. Vishal Talwar, Dean, School of Management, BML Munjal University. Expert speakers from Invento Robotics, Qure. AI, Microsoft, University of Warwick, Oxford University and McKinsey shared their insights on the subject.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Kant Munjal, Chancellor – BML Munjal University said, ” Technology is unlikely to substitute human intelligence yet, even so, AI heightens the ‘human’ element of intelligence with every iteration and interaction. AI is already improving the quality of life and leading to high-skilled jobs that facilitate human creativity and intelligence. It is especially heartening to see the impact of AI and related technologies in the healthcare sector, where enormous value can be created across the entire patient journey, from diagnosis and treatment to ongoing health maintenance.”

COVID-19 has focussed the world’s attention to one of the fastest-growing and largest industries in the world – healthcare. This is also evident from the India Budget FY 22  where the sector has received a 137 per cent increase in allocation.

AI is the new normal and is embracing the shift in healthcare confirms the report launched by BML Munjal University. It cites the various use cases of AI that are accelerating its adoption. The development and application of AI techniques in healthcare are helping to improve the diagnostic process. AI technology is assisting pathologists in making more accurate diagnoses and developing methods for individualised medical treatment. In drug discovery, Pharmaceutical companies are adopting AI to improve the efficiency and accuracy of drug creation. AI is helping to enhance the patient experience and improve access to quality healthcare. Further, it is helping to improve the operational efficiency of hospitals that can substantially reduce the costs of running day to day business.

The Indian market for AI in healthcare is expanding:

Expectedly, the Indian market for AI in healthcare is expanding at a fast pace and is estimated to be worth INR 431.97 billion by 2021, expanding at a rate of 40 per cent. Several factors in India are providing favourable tailwinds. These are a combination of government investments, the boom of health-tech start-ups, and increasing market competitiveness among hospitals. The National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NSAI) is one such initiative of the government which is encouraging companies in healthcare to adopt AI.

Under NITI Aayog, healthcare has been mentioned as the core beneficiary from the NSAI. A Task Force on AI has been deployed to browse and explore new avenues where AI can be used and subsequently leveraged. The prospect of introducing cognitive systems to help specially-abled people and the ageing population has been highlighted. One of the most defining trends in helping establish AI in everyday healthcare has been the boom in health tech start-ups, states the report.

As of 2020, there were 3,225 start-ups in India in the health tech space. India’s health-tech market is also estimated to reach $21 Bn in 2025 with preventive healthcare expected to reach a market size of $170 Bn by 2025, driven strongly by fitness and wellness apps and diagnostics solutions.

The report also explores the challenges and risks involved, namely those around privacy of customer data, the bias in training algorithms that may corrupt outcomes, data availability and ethical challenges. The report makes a strong recommendation for the need for a regulatory body to monitor AI, calling it ‘extremely crucial for India to increase the application of AI’. The report concludes with a survey with C-suite executives in healthcare to ascertain the on-ground sentiment towards AI, adoption trends and real-world challenges.

AI’s potential to solve complex challenges for healthcare in India.

All the participants, 100 per cent, are extremely optimistic about AI’s potential to meaningfully solve complex challenges for healthcare in India. A majority 90 per cent of executives surveyed said they have an AI strategy in place with 64 per cent stating that AI is of high priority in terms of organisational strategy. However, 75 per cent of organisations find themselves in the early stages of adoption of AI and of other new age technologies. Interestingly among the top 6 emerging technologies of AI, Cloud Computing, IoMT, 3D Printing, Big Data Analytics, Robotics being adopted in the healthcare sector AI is the highest adopted, followed by cloud computing and the internet of medical things.

Organisations plan to accelerate their AI strategy in the near future. 74 per cent state this of high priority. The impact of COVID-19 has been mixed on the adoption levels, however, the majority (54 per cent) have said that it has paced up plans to adopt AI even further. 98% of the participants are already seeing moderate to significant benefit from their AI strategy and adoption. And a majority expect to see further significant benefit in the next 4-5 years from AI adoption. The top areas where organisations expect to see significant benefits from AI strategy are in operational efficiency, disease detection and diagnostics, patient satisfaction and cost savings.

High capital requirements remain to be the key challenge to implementing AI strategies within healthcare organisations. Executives also strongly feel that the potential impact on jobs (reduction due to automation) is a big challenge towards implementation. Given that AI is expected to leave numerous low-skilled jobs redundant in the next decade, executives need to manage this skilfully. The lack of knowledge and skills is another major barrier (similar to various other industries) as the nature of work changes and the workforce needs to be reskilled to work effectively with emerging technologies like AI.

76 per cent of the participants are therefore investing heavily in the up-gradation of skills of the current workforce with respect to AI with 66 per cent respondents stating that AI-related skills and knowledge is a priority for hiring. As much as 96 per cent of executives say that current health care education needs significant upgradation in India to keep pace with changing technologies.

“From SIRI to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) is progressing rapidly, making our everyday lives more convenient. While this surge is impacting all the fields, Artificial Intelligence is especially rising in the analysis, interpretation, and comprehension of complicated medical and healthcare data. The greater potential of AI lies in the synergies generated by using new age tech together across the entire patient journey, from diagnosis to treatment, to ongoing health maintenance, etc. However, the industry is faced with a crippling skill shortage. It will not be an exaggeration to call the present scenario the largest talent challenger ever, and it is knocking hard at the gates of the Indian technology industry and academic institutions. The conclave today is yet another way to elevate and lead the conversation on the future of the tech workforce. We have had in-depth and insightful discussions with the accomplished participants today and take the opportunity to thank everyone for their opinion and participation”, said  Dr. Vishal Talwar, Dean – School Of Management, BML Munjal University.

BMU’s 2nd AI Conclave 2021 is designed as a confluence of thought leaders, influencers, academicians and business builders to discuss the AI landscape and trends that are shaping the healthcare of tomorrow.

The methodology of the survey with healthcare executives: 

The primary survey was conducted by interviewing 50 C-suite executives from large healthcare organisations across India.

Authors of the report:

The report is co-authored by research teams led by Dr. Vishal Talwar from BML Munjal University and Mr. Karan Arora from Beast Global.

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Few months ago, nobody knew about COVID-19 but now the novel coronavirus has become the silent villain and dread for the global population. Apart from hampering economies and bringing about unprecedented damage in personal and professional lives, the pandemic has also disrupted our very way of living, forcing us to come to terms with a new normal. One of the key aspects of the new normal is the increased technology adoption across sectors, including education, retail, banking and finance and even healthcare.

e-Pharmacies have played a vital role :

Health technology in general and e-pharmacies in particular, have played a vital role in the past few months, in helping non-COVID patients gain timely access to quality medical care. While hospital staff, OT’s, ICU’s and ambulances were busy catering to the surge of COVID patients, the online health care ecosystem was silently lending its support to those in need of Non-COVID medical attention. As a result, the segment has rapidly evolved and online consultations and e-pharmacies, in particular, are becoming the pillars of health tech.

As per the ‘Outlook of India’s Healthcare Industry, 2020’ report by Markets and research Network, India’s health tech market is currently valued at USD 450.1 Million in 2020 and is set to grow at a CAGR of 21%, till 2026. Government initiatives like the National Health Portal, online registration system, e-Hospital, etc. are expected to increase preference and adoption of e-Healthcare models among masses. Supported mainly by the increasing rise of smart phones and internet penetration as well as by supportive initiatives like Ayushmanbharat, National Health portal and online registration of e-hospitals etc. Further, according to a recent report by Frost & Sullivan, the e-pharmacy market in India is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 63% to reach USD 3,657 Mn by 2022, being strengthened by the increasing reach of eCommerce and a growing population resorting to online purchases.

PR can help e-pharmacies and online health tech brands 

In spite of these opportunities, the sector is grappling with challenges that is hampering its growth momentum. Although it has been a few years since the introduction of ePharmacy and an overall introduction to health tech and online consultations in India, it is mostly popular among the tech savvy millennial population while the general public at large, still do not have an apparent understanding of it or are still apprehensive to experience it.

Integrated marketing and communication tools such as PR can help e-pharmacies and online health tech brands overcome such challenges with strategic planning and communication. As is the case in healthcare, trust and credibility are of key essence and that is exactly what PR can help build for these brands. Some key aspects where PR can help, include:

• Creating Awareness: While the pandemic has made most of consumers resort to online purchases, there is little awareness about accessing healthcare as a service, online. Effective PR and integrated communication outreach can help create this awareness through use of online (like FB) and traditional media (Newspapers) outreach, to spread awareness among target audiences, including senior citizens who need this service the most.
• Education the masses: Apart from being aware, people also need to have a deeper understanding about how it works and what they can expect. An educative approach to this can further help brands to not only reach out and engage with consumers but also gain insights and feedback into user experience so as to better enhance the product.
• Building credibility: This is one of the most vital aspect when it comes to e-pharmacies/ health tech. right from credibility and genuineness of doctors to the authenticity of medications and treatment plans shared online, everything can look skeptical to a first time user. By offering transparent dealings, extensive product information and value added services like background of consulting doctors, options for second opinions etc., can all go a long way in helping a brand building trust among the consumers. And effective PR and communication outreach can further help the brand to leverage this.
• Creating thought leadership: Lastly, through larger industry stories and opinion pieces, profiling of brand spokesperson and creating a larger category building activity through integrated communication, PR can help brands drive thought leadership and create a positive brand image.

Appearance is everything, at least that’s how the saying goes, and for ePharma companies maintaining a positive and trustworthy reputation isn’t always easy. Crisis and glitches are a part of the process. However, a long term and dedicated PR outreach directed towards consumers is proficient at patient engagement and helps boost corporate value. In times like these, with the pandemic still hovering, effective and timely adoption of health tech can be a game changer in managing the pandemic and offering non-COVID patients as real pillar of support.

Anindita Gupta
Co-Founder – Scenic Communication

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For centuries, the way humanity has been dealing with disease and healthcare has remained mostly the same. You would fall sick, visit a doctor, get medication or treatment and recover. That tried and tested model hasn’t changed much, until very recently.

Before COVID-19, we saw some trends leaning towards wellness and healthcare. Now, it is clear that those trends aren’t going away. Here are six reasons why I believe why the renewed focus on healthcare is here to stay.

1. Awareness of Our Own Fragility

In times before, humanity has been reminded of its own fragility. From the Black Plague to the Spanish Flu, we have been brought to or knees by organisms too small to see. However, since the last pandemic (the Spanish Flu of 1918), humanity has seen a rapid increase in the development of medicine. We’ve almost eradicated smallpox, managed to combat cancer and created organs in the lab.

That success has only given us a sense of invincibility, until COVID arrived. Now suddenly, we have become aware of just how fragile we are. That has put a renewed focus on fighting diseases.

2. Globalisation Has Eradicated Borders

At the start of the pandemic, we heard politicians and public health officials announce, “We are in this together”. That is not just hyperbole. Thanks to globalisation, diseases can spread from nation to nation in a matter of days. It does not matter if you are American, Indian, Chinese or Nigerian, any disease is now capable of becoming globally transmitted.

We tried containing COVID, it did not work. The reality is we are going to have to work towards a global health standard, one that gets applied irrespective of nationality. Healthcare is going to become a requirement for globalisation.

3. COVID-19 Isn’t the Last Pandemic

In September, the WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “When the next pandemic comes, the world must be ready – more ready than it was this time.” Global warming, rising pollution and urban density are giving rise to more disease.

To combat that, we will need a more robust healthcare system, especially if another pandemic breaks out. That knowledge should ensure we put more money and effort into our healthcare industry.

4. Rise in Preventive Care

Globally, we are seeing a rise in interest in preventive care. Perhaps the stats around chronic disease have scared us? Whatever the reason, more and more people are focused on getting, and staying healthy. Market Research Future expects fitness apps to register a CAGR of 31.25% between 2019 and 2026. We are also seeing a corresponding rise for the demand in wearables.

Preventive care is as important as management in healthcare. Now healthcare professionals are not just doctors or nurses, but fitness trainers and lifestyle coaches. The stats don’t lie: people are starting to put more focus on healthcare, wellness and prevention.

5. Work-Fuelled Rise in Lifestyle Diseases

Longer working hours, greater stress and increased pollution have led to a sharp rise in chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. To combat that, workplaces are already beginning to look at offering healthcare solutions. These go beyond just insurance, to provide preventive care and wellness solutions that help keep employees happy,healthy, and regular.

Companies like Onsurity are working with organisations to offer healthcare solutions that enable healthier employees. There is a clear demand for such a product, especially since traditional group insurance policies are not as comprehensive, or economical. Now, good health habits are being driven at workplaces.

6. Accessibility of Healthcare

Thanks to COVID-19, telehealth and digital healthcare solutions have made the industry more affordable and accessible. Today, people even in remote villages in India have access to quality healthcare thanks to the many start-up’s in the country. Bringing more people into the fold, will only increase demand.

The availability of knowledge is also directly contributing. No matter who you are and where you are, chances are you have a smartphone and an internet connection. That means more people are reading about health issues and are demanding solutions. Whether they get access to artificial intelligence, BitCoin remains to be seen, but they will want access to quality healthcare.

Of course, there are plenty more reasons. For now, though, I believe these six will govern the rise in demand for healthcare. It is only sped up because of COVID-19, and now there is no looking back.

Kulin Shah, Co-Founder
Onsurity, Bengaluru

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Bengaluru, Tuesday, 29 September 2020: A joint publication by BCG and FICCI titled “Leapfrogging to a Digital Healthcare System: Reimaging Healthcare for Every Indian” was released at the 14th FICCI HEAL, (the annual health conference organized by FICCI) by Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, Hon’ble Vice President of India, Dr Sangita Reddy, President FICCI and joint MD Apollo Hospitals, and Mr. Bart Janssens, Managing Director and Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group. This report will be distributed to the Prime Minister’s Office, NITI Aayog, Chief Ministers, Health Ministers, State ministries and Secretaries among other dignitaries in the public and private sector.

Digital era in healthcare to take shape:

The way we live, and work has been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to upending our lives the pandemic has also exposed India’s weak healthcare system and reinforced the need to urgently improve all levels of healthcare, including primary care. As is inevitable in times of adversity, the pandemic has also inspired promising innovations, particularly in digital healthcare models. From the telemedicine guidelines being announced in March 2020 to the launch of national digital health ID in August 2020, we have just started to see the digital era in healthcare take shape.

Surveys conducted by BCG across doctors and patients highlight that 85% of the clinicians used digital platforms for patient interactions during the lockdown. 50% of the clinicians found these platforms to be an effective medium for providing care. Additionally, 60% patients across metro and tier 1 cities reported they would continue using digital platforms for primary care in the post COVID world due to the fundamental benefits of shorter waiting time and easy access to qualified doctors. In addition, as per reports, the lockdown period saw teleconsultation services being accessed by over 2000 small towns, with 80% patients being first time users.

Digital infrastructure for the Indian healthcare ecosystem.

We are now at the cusp of the digital 3.0 era of Open Digital Ecosystems that represents a fundamental change in the way the government can leverage technology for public care delivery and enable private sector innovation. It entails creation of a shared public digital infrastructure that can be leveraged by both public and private players to deploy new solutions that enhance the end-user experience. Just like the creation of shared digital infrastructure in the financial industry enabling UPI payments, the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), in the next few years, will catalyze a robust digital infrastructure for the Indian healthcare ecosystem. 

As per the report, it is estimated that over the next decade, NDHM can potentially unlock an incremental value of INR 1.5 lakh crore for the healthcare industry. The report undertakes a collaborative approach to ensure that multiple perspectives across government bodies, private sector entities, developers, and the user community are brought to the forefront. It aims to drive active stakeholder discussions to help accelerate India’s journey towards a healthcare system that puts the patient at the center of all solutions and drives accessible, affordable and quality healthcare all.

Dr Indu Bhushan, CEO NHA and PM-JAY, says “With the guiding principles outlined in the National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB), the government has laid out a comprehensive strategy to bring a fundamental transformation in healthcare and open a range of market opportunities for all stakeholders. This report details out how the entire ecosystem will gain, and the industry will be galvanized as a result of the implementation of NDHB over the next few years.”

According to Dr Sangita Reddy, President FICCI and joint MD, Apollo Hospitals  “There is an urgent need to shift to a new care delivery paradigm that leverages public technology infrastructure. This needs to be done while ensuring patient-centricity, and adequate digital security. It is great to see that this timely and pertinent report has been put together to drive active discussions amongst the stakeholders.”

Bart Janssens, Managing Director and Senior Partner, BCG said “We anticipate that over the next 10 years, NDHM can unlock incremental economic value of over USD 200 billion for the healthcare sector. Public and private ecosystem players will have to realign their operating models to capture this value and stay ahead of the curve. This will pave way for more patient-centric solutions driving accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for all.”

According to Dr Alok Roy, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals , “The need to accelerate changes in our health care system is an obvious inference of this pandemic. The advent of an open digital health ecosystem will unleash a new wave of innovation and transform the way primary healthcare is delivered in India. As illustrated in this detailed report, the health ODE will enable patients who are under-served by the physical healthcare infrastructure to access high quality healthcare, by leveraging a common digital infrastructure”

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