Win For All Solution To Tackle India’s Healthcare Challenges

Europe home healthcare market is expected to cross $230 billion in 2020. This will be ~11% of the total European healthcare market touted to reach ~$2125 billion in 2020. The challenges posed by increasing geriatric population, growing incidence of chronic diseases, and rising demand for affordable healthcare delivery systems are the reasons behind increasing adoption of home healthcare services in Europe. The challenges of the Indian healthcare industry are no different. But despite that, adoption of home healthcare solutions in India is at a much lower rate. Indian home healthcare industry is touted to be a $6.21 billion market which will only be ~2% of the total Indian healthcare industry expected to reach $280 billion by 2020 according to industry estimates.

The adoption of home healthcare in India faces challenges from unorganized service providers who lack quality and credibility. Due to the unorganized sector of the home healthcare industry, the perception of home healthcare for many is limited to hiring a manservant or maid who has no medical experience. To overcome this challenge, leaders of the home healthcare industry in India are investing in world class training for their staff along with quality set ups for home care. This focus on trained home healthcare staff combined with advanced technology for diagnosis, treatment and patient monitoring ensures that the patient continues to receive quality care, as received in the hospital, with the additional benefit of comfort of familiar atmosphere, proximity of loved ones and economic viability.

Not just the masses, even hospitals are benefiting immensely from home healthcare. Many hospitals have recognized the advantages of having a home healthcare partner which include increased capacity to handle more patients and hence, better revenue. By referring home healthcare as a step-down care mechanism for post-operative care, stable patients with chronic diseases, post-delivery care etc., hospital beds can be freed for new and more needy patients. A classic example is that of setting up an ICU at home for them. This leads to a reduced Average Length of Stay (ALOS) and a Higher ARPOB (Average Revenue Per Occupied Bed). By providing visibility beyond hospitals, improving customer satisfaction and ensuring quick action on feedback, home healthcare is also helping enhance hospital brand image.

Just as hospitals are making home healthcare a part of their healthcare delivery system, it is high time that the government consider home healthcare as an integral part of the Indian healthcare industry too.  It has the potential to relieve the ever-increasing burden on hospitals and doctors. India needs over 6 lakhs+ beds to cater to our population and home healthcare can help bridge this gap as it reduces the requirement of the hospital beds, which can be provided to more needy patients. Since the shortage of beds is more in tier-II & III cities, the hospitals can extend their reach without building expensive infrastructure with a home healthcare partnership. Leaders of the home healthcare industry ensure quality service for patients, better brand image and business for hospitals and stronger rate of growth for the home healthcare industry. With the benefits it offers to all stakeholders of the healthcare industry, home healthcare is positioned to be a win for all solution to tackle India’s healthcare challenges.