Indian HealthTech Startups leveraging Tech to tackle COVID-19

India, despite its infrastructure and large population, is trying its best to combat the virus through various awareness campaigns. Clinikk Healthcare, one such health-tech startup providing 24/7 primary care through its network of doctors, announced Coronavirus Support Plans including Rs 1 lakh insurance cover for people infected with COVID-19 and free teleconsultation channels to the general public. Dr Suraj Baliga, Co-Founder, Clinikk Healthcare said, "In response to the current situation, we have launched a comprehensive product which gives a family of six access to reliable medical care 24*7 in 11 vernacular languages and insurance cover of up to Rs 1 lakh. This insurance cover is against hospitalisation costs related to disease, among other features. We have opened up our lines for free to anyone who wants quality health information."    

Dozee, a product from Turtle Shell Technologies, which is a contact-free health monitor that tracks heartbeat, respiration, sleep and stress-recovery with medical-grade of 98.4 per cent accuracy. It is a device that gives continuous respiration data, that too without the need of wires or any technical expertise. Mudit Dandwate, CEO, Turtle Shell Technologies said, “Dozee uses Ballistocardiography as the underlying technology where a thin sensor sheet is placed below the mattress (any mattress up to 18 inches) of the user to capture the data on micro-vibrations in the human body. Continuing our objective, we are closely working with NGOs, hotels, hospitals to create step-down ICU setup using Dozee.” 

While Healthians, a doorstep test provider has launched a chatbot to spread correct information about the virus. Deepak Sahni, Founder and CEO of Healthians said, “This bot is trained to answer frequently asked questions on the new coronavirus. This step was taken to quickly resolve the issues and help people get self-informed.”

Care.fit, under the aegis of Cure.Fit, a holistic healthcare platform, has launched telemedicine as a solution to increase consumer access to high-quality doctors across all specialities (GP/IM, Gynae, Paediatrician, ENT, Ortho, Derma, Endocrinology, Gastro etc) seamlessly and efficiently during the time of crisis in the country. “We continue offering at-home tests and work with accredited partners to enable Covid testing at our centres and home for consumers soon," said Ankit Nagori, Co-Founder Cure.fit. They also provide home sample collections free of cost. It has also launched Cult.live wherein they are providing free live classes across fitness formats like strength, cardio, HRX, S&C, dance fitness and yoga on all seven days of the week.

Another startup Bione, has innovated in discovering specific gene variants that are responsible for an individual’s susceptibility to Coronavirus. They have also developed a COVID-19 focussed Microbiome test, which combined with its AI, predictive analysis tools can provide tailored recommendations to individuals to strengthen their particular microbiome and thus be more immune to Coronavirus and be able to fight off COVID-19. "Given the current COVID-19 crisis, we are looking to make an impact and are trying to do our best for the sake of our community and the world," said Surendra K Chikara, Founder and CEO, Bione.  

India currently facing the problem of enough number of kits along with approvals to private players. “Kits are short in India and our role right now offers all logistic and operational support to labs and uniting forces to share resources,” said Sahni.

What world is doing?

“Singapore has done everything right”, said World Health Organisation. It's a comprehensive tracking system to monitor people who have been tested positive and also tracking people who they came in contact with has been immensely successful leading their death count as the lowest among others. One of their applications called TraceTogether whose replicate has been made by NITI Ayog called CoWin-20. The application will help contact tracers determine to incase someone is exposed to the virus, even between the strangers. The application will help track the spread of novel Coronavirus at the national level. It will also inform about the testing labs and isolation wards near people in their areas. CoWin-20 app will also provide the latest advisory, precautions and safety protocols to be taken during Coronavirus. A similar app is being used in the UK as well.

Singapore also developed online platforms to spread awareness amongst people about novel Coronavirus to ensure compliance for those in-home quarantines.

South Korea has made public “Phone Booths” wherein people are being tested with seven minutes. This technology allows them to test 10 times more people than ordinary tests. In Senegal, its renowned Pasteur institute has collaborated with British biotech company and have developed a 10-minute test kit costing just $1 per kit. While countries are using drones to deliver medical and food supplies, a company named Terra Drone is doing so in Xinchang County. China deployed its robots for cleaning, sterilising and delivering food ad medicine to reduce human-to-human contact.    

Countries like China have come out from this war against COVID-19 through social distancing and strategy of stay home. Now its time for India.