Technology

transformation
for future-ready
healthcare
February 2023
 Technology
transformation
for future-ready
healthcare
Grant Thornton Bharat and Association of Healthcare
Providers (India) (AHPI) have tried to understand the
healthcare providers’ and practitioners’ perspectives on
leveraging technology across key touchpoints, preferences,
challenges and outlook.
This report is based on a survey of 50+ healthcare leaders
and professionals associated with hospitals of different
sizes, specialities and locations.

02 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

Contents
04 Foreword

05 Industry leader view

06 Executive summary

08 About the survey

10 Technology spend: Outlook

12 Addressing cyber threats

and data privacy breaches

14 Technology budget allocation:

Priority areas

16 Compliance management:
Leveraging technology

18 Leveraging technology for

tax efficiencies

20 Telemedicine and EMR: Harnessing

true power of digital

22 Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission:

Enrollment and challenges

24 Way forward

27 Acknowledgements

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 03

Foreword

The Indian healthcare system needs to

overcome key healthcare challenges and
progress towards the path of universal
health coverage.

Dr. Girdhar J. Gyani

Director General
AHPI

Over the years, India has made rapid The pandemic has only accelerated the go towards monitoring and measuring
strides in health parameters such as adoption of technology as we endeavour sentinel events as well as medical errors.
life expectancy, mortality rates and to make healthcare affordable and
immunisation. The Indian healthcare accessible to all. In this report, the Association of
system is currently at a critical juncture, Healthcare Providers (India) and
where it needs to overcome key Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has Grant Thornton Bharat have tried to
healthcare challenges and progress expressed his desire of opening more analyse and understand imminent
towards the path of universal health than 3,000 new hospitals in tier II/III changes pertaining to technology in the
coverage (UHC). cities where the private sector will play healthcare arena. The report is based
a pivotal role in developing patient- on a survey of 50+ healthcare leaders
Significant achievements and progress centric infrastructure, technology and professionals associated with
have been made through a number integration and use of telemedicine hospitals of different sizes, specialties
of initiatives, including the flagship for standardisation of practices. This and presence.
Ayushman Bharat Yojna and Ayushman would lay the foundations for a wider
Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to healthcare marketplace with innovative
provide tertiary and secondary care product offerings and encourage
to the underprivileged and promote new market entrants in the wake of
digitalisation. However, with the recent possible newer investment avenues and
pandemic, rising disposable incomes technological advancements. There is a
and lifestyle changes coupled with compelling need to make the way health
population increase, the disease is sought smarter, with greater attention
patterns are changing significantly. to patient safety. More focus should

04 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

Industry leader view

Replacing a typewriter with a

computer is not digitalisation in
the healthcare sector.

Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty

Founder Member
AHPI
Founder and Chairman
Narayana Health

In today’s time, no industry can Unfortunately, while most of the current Health insurers and other corporate
function without technology and generation tech tools digitise the payers have the power to accelerate
healthcare is no exception. However, reports, they are not designed to ease digitalisation in healthcare. Increased
the level of acceptance and extent of the process for doctors. The tools need integration of insurers, hospitals, and
implementation vary. to be intuitive and enhance ease of claim processors will increase the
accessibility on mobile. Complex tools demand for digitisation of patient health
When patients walk in, there are do not benefit hospitals and will continue records to drive efficiency.
hundreds of data points for doctors to to impede the adoption of technology,
consider, as opposed to a finite number especially considering the lead time for As we move ahead, the development
until a few years ago. Diagnosis is the investment to improve the top line of doctor-friendly solutions would
challenging in a limited period of a few and bottom line. promote technology adoption, and
minutes. At this pace of technological improved healthcare delivery and patient
evolution, we will soon see smart software Smart electronic medical records (EMR) outcomes would follow.
make a smarter diagnosis. While have the potential to be a game-changer
technology cannot replace doctors, in for healthcare. They will also boost
the next 10 years, doctors mandatorily telemedicine as practitioners will be
taking a second opinion from technology able to study patient history while
will be a reality. Effective use and remote-consulting and be better placed
integration of technology can go a long to prescribe treatment. Currently, most
way in aiding healthcare professionals. of the EMR effort is primarily spent on
converting paper into digital format. We
Various reports indicate inefficient need to build smart tools. Digitalisation
communication as a leading reason also needs to be accompanied by a
for preventable patient fatalities. A lot restructuring of the processes and
of time lapses between the diagnostics behavioural change, failing which
tests and report review by the doctors. productivity gains are unlikely.

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 05

Executive summary

Bhanu Prakash Kalmath S J Santhosh Chandrasekaran

Partner and Leader Executive Director
Healthcare and Lifesciences Lead Advisory
Grant Thornton Bharat Grant Thornton Bharat

India’s healthcare system is vast but faces – more than 80% of the respondents said of the survey participants. The growth of
many challenges. The country is home they wanted to enhance their digital and internet penetration and adoption in the
to the best medical talent and has more IT infrastructure spending budget. country is expected to facilitate internet-
than one million doctors and almost two based healthcare solutions, which can
million nurses and midwives – still not However, the primary factor fundamental accelerate the healthcare infrastructure
adequate for the 1.4 billion population. to digitalisation is the availability of creation per capita at a much lower cost
Quality and advanced healthcare technology tools that facilitate the and reach of healthcare services to all,
facilities have a skewed presence in cities, creation of smart hospital infrastructure. especially in rural areas. 5G networks
where only less than one-third of the Investments in the digitalisation of will only advance this initiative. Our
population resides. hospital infrastructure are aimed at survey of hospitals also indicated that
improving patient outcomes, driving 80% are planning to leverage 5G for
For a large and diverse country like India, productivity, undertaking sustainable, better healthcare outcomes in the next
developing accessible and affordable well-governed and profitable operations, 12 months.
healthcare facilities is the biggest and ensuring patient privacy through
challenge, creating an opportunity adequate cybersecurity. Our survey also Our survey also revealed that more than
for private players. On the parameter indicated that healthcare companies 60% of respondents had implemented
of universal health coverage, which need to invest significantly in technology technology tools such as health
involves all people receiving high-quality to address cybersecurity threats and information management system
health services when needed, without data privacy issues. (HIMS), electronic health record (EHR)
experiencing financial hardship, India has and electronic medical record (EMR),
progressed in the last three decades – the Digital transformation in the healthcare indicating the intent to move towards a
UHC index value has increased from 27 sector is happening at a fast pace and digital ecosystem.
(1990) to 42 (2010) to 61 (2019). has an evident impact. For example,
specialist doctor consultations are now From the physician, payer and provider
India has successfully embraced the available in lower-tier cities and rural perspective, adoption of EMR is likely to
digital mindset in the last decade and areas in India – something unthinkable reduce medical error incidences
adopted digital payments and electronic a few years ago. Despite the pace and facilitate the effective transfer of
currency. Grant Thornton Bharat and of change, telemedicine revenue still patient records from one service provider
AHPI’s survey also reflects this sentiment accounts for less than 5% for over 75% to another.

06 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

The adoption of IoT-driven medical ABDM will integrate the broader
technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) healthcare ecosystem, viz., public
and machine learning (ML) in the areas hospitals, private hospitals, doctors and
of clinical practices has supported the patients, to provide quality healthcare
assessment of patients’ health conditions at optimised cost. Our survey indicated
in real time. These technologies have that only 28% of the respondents have
significantly enhanced the effectiveness enrolled for ABDM. The challenge India
of home health and remote monitoring could face while digitising the healthcare
services. Digital-enabled pharmacies infrastructure is the availability of a
and diagnostic chains have also helped robust data protection policy. It is
bring about greater price transparency, critical to secure patient data, and the
accessibility and better choices. regulatory body, in consultation with
all stakeholders, must establish a robust
The government is also giving impetus framework that will protect patient health
to healthtech adoption through data and ensure its privacy.
various schemes. One of the finest
and most successful examples of the As India moves ahead with the
implementation of digital technology in agenda of universal health coverage,
the country is the COVID-19 vaccination technology will be a crucial lever to
programme rollout using CoWIN. Further, drive accessibility, availability and
the wider implementation of the Unified affordability. Our survey has also
Health Interface and the unique digital indicated that more than half of the
health ID (Ayushman Bharat Health participants witnessed operational
Account [ABHA]) will provide one-stop efficiency of up to 20% by investing in
access to all health records. technology. As we embrace technology,
the gains will only go up.

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 07

About the survey
Respondent profile
50+ healthcare leaders and professionals from across India

The increasing disease burden, spiraling costs and

demand for quality healthcare services have placed Grant Thornton Bharat
tremendous pressure on healthcare resources. The uneven
concentration of hospitals in urban areas and the private
and Association of
sector further contributes to this disbalance. As healthcare Healthcare Providers
providers strive to bring in operational efficiencies, enhance (India) (AHPI) have
service delivery and improve health outcomes, technology is tried to understand the
finding greater application across the healthcare value chain.
The pandemic has only accelerated the adoption of
healthcare providers’ and
technology, and as the nation endeavours to make healthcare practitioners’ perspectives
affordable, accessible, and available for all, the role on leveraging technology
of technology will only increase further. ​ across key touchpoints,
With this background, Grant Thornton Bharat and Association preferences, challenges
of Healthcare Providers (India) (AHPI) have tried to understand and outlook.
the healthcare providers’ and practitioners’ perspectives on
leveraging technology across key touchpoints, preferences,
challenges and outlook. This report is based on a survey of 50+
healthcare leaders and professionals associated with hospitals
of different sizes, specialities and locations.

08 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

Holding structure

6% 84% 10%

Public Private Trust

Role in the organisation Capacity

18% 14%
20%

40%
8% 16%

52%

22%
8%
2%
< 100 beds 100-500 beds
Chairperson/MD/CEO/Founder CFO
500-1,000 beds > 1,000 beds
CIO COO/Head of Medical Services
Mid-management Other

Location Presence
Metro cities
Tier 1 cities
Tier 2 and
below cities

56% 44%

36%
36%

56%
Multi location
Single location

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 09

Technology spend: Outlook

Technology adoption will be a key lever as India aims to bring

down the cost of healthcare and make it affordable for wider According to the survey,
sections of society, further bridging the gap between the major
cities and the rest of the country.
while planned technology
spending is encouraging,
One significant investment area is building a robust digital
the cyber threat and
healthcare ecosystem with 5G technology. It has the potential
to transform patient services through real-time remote data privacy concerns
health monitoring, remote surgeries, telediagnosis, etc., and loom over. The recent
integration across supply chains can help ease operations. ransomware attacks
It will also help with the seamless adoption of technology-
at healthcare facilities
enabled insurance-related services, device manufacturing and
clinical trials. emphasise the need for
ensuring data privacy.
According to the survey, while planned technology spending
is encouraging, cyber threat and data privacy concerns loom
over. The hospital database contains confidential patient
information, including medical diagnoses, treatment records
and insurance information. The recent suspected ransomware
attack at the country’s leading healthcare facility and other
healthcare providers has emphasised the need for ensuring
data privacy and why it is of utmost importance.

10 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

Do you plan to significantly
increase the budget on digital
solutions and technology initiatives
80%
plan to leverage 5G to drive
in the next 12 months? healthcare outcomes

84%
16%

66%
are not confident that their
technology infrastructure is
sufficient to prevent cyber threats

Yes No

40%
feel their technology infrastructure
can ensure patient data privacy

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 11

Addressing cyber threats
and data privacy breaches

“
There has been a significant focus on patient data privacy,
and regulators are reviewing the way forward to ensure Data privacy and security are becoming
personal data protection. Many countries have already increasingly important in the healthcare
adopted stringent personal data protection regulations, sector. By implementing strong encryption
such as GDPR, which are also applicable for Indian protocols, a comprehensive privacy
healthcare organisations if they are treating international information management system,
patients who are protected under the relevant regulations. appropriate personnel training and staying
up-to-date with the latest data privacy
To ensure that patient data is secure, while still allowing and security regulations, healthcare
healthcare providers to access it when needed, healthcare organisations can ensure that patient data
organisations must take steps to protect privacy. remains secure.

Jaspreet Singh
Partner
Cyber & IT Risk
Grant Thornton Bharat

12 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

Ensuring data privacy
Encryption is a technique by which data is enciphered such that only
Implementing those with the key to the enciphered text may gain access to the data.
strong encryption Encryption can help to protect data from unauthorised access and should
protocols be used for any data stored or transferred electronically.

PIMS enables an organisation to set and define access controls so that

Using privacy information only authorised personnel can have access to sensitive data. PIMS may
management system also be used to monitor data access and usage of personal data by a
(PIMS) specific user and help identify a potential threat to the personal data.

Organisations should ensure that all personnel with access to

Providing sensitive data receive proper training on data privacy and security
appropriate training protocols. The training should include best practices on data
handling, data storage and incident reporting.

Keeping up with the latest data privacy and

Staying up-to-date security developments.

Drafting a comprehensive security policy that encompasses

Focusing on every angle of data handling and its storage and
mandatory employee training on data protection best
security policy practices are also of paramount importance.

Exploring additional security measures such as

Ramping up multi-factor authentication, anonymisation and
security measures encryption.

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 13

Technology budget
allocation: Priority areas

The future of healthcare lies in working hand-in-hand

with technology, and the sector must embrace emerging
Priority areas
technologies to become future-ready.

With hospital chains having presence across multiple 01 Billing function

locations, running efficient operations with robust
governance mechanisms and achieving better health
outcomes are a challenge. Further, with the large Patient
02
volume of transactions scattered with multiple manual engagement
touchpoints, control environment without technological
intervention will be less reliable. Integration of multiple
Electronic health records/
platforms operating autonomously or a unified 03
technological solution could address numerous issues electronic medical records
plaguing the industry. These issues include digitisation of
patient records, manual billing, discount authorisation,
multiple rates with multiple players, teleconsultation 04 Operations excellence
reconciliation, monitoring of near-expiry medicines and
credit card reconciliation. With the mounting pressures
on the regulatory front to protect personnel data, Patient care/delivery and
05
continued manual interventions in these areas could health outcomes
prove counterproductive.

Revenue enhancement
06
and cost optimisation

Efficiently run
07
support functions

08 Tele consultation

09 Regulatory compliance

10 Prevent cyber threats

14 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

 “
48% Technology infusion into operations is no
longer just an option or a good to have
have seen an cosmetic, but a necessary cog in the
operational wheel for better healthcare outcomes,
patient engagement, efficient operations,
efficiency gain
governance management, revenue
of up to maximisation and standardising the
protocol.

20%
from technology
The data on operational efficiency gain will
only encourage more healthcare players
to view this as a lucrative opportunity
implementation considering a large part of the technology
investment will get paid back by these gains
and resulting revenue maximisation, which
was lacking earlier.

Healthcare organisations have primarily grown through Bhanu Prakash Kalmath S J

inorganic mode, bringing in further complexities of Partner and Leader
disintegrated technology platforms, processes and Healthcare and Lifesciences
people practices, impacting the ability to run efficiently Grant Thornton Bharat
and enhance the patient experience.

The absence of an all-encompassing hospital information

system (HIS) might be a sore point for the industry.
However, technology has enabled the integration of
multiple platforms, even with diverse operating systems.
This unification could aid in mitigating business risks and
have efficient and reliable management reporting.

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 15

Compliance management:
Leveraging technology

The applicability of numerous industry-specific laws and close

regulatory watch make it challenging for hospitals to meet Implementing a
compliance requirements. Compliance with the provisions
of central and state-level laws often includes online filing of
technology-enabled
various forms, which involves a lot of critical steps. This also platform which centrally
requires manually sifting through raw and often complex data, tracks and monitors all the
leading to a higher likeliness of human error. applicable compliances
The Companies Act 2013 increases the responsibility of across hospital functions
directors to implement appropriate systems to ensure and locations and offers
compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that
real-time insights into
such systems are adequate and operating effectively. Further,
the ever-changing regulatory environment, focus on corporate compliance status and
governance, business complexities, etc., increase the need for associated risk can bring
a robust compliance system. in significant operational
However, technology intervention for managing regulatory efficiencies and reduce
compliance is one of the low priority areas for hospitals. costs.
Healthcare organisations continue to depute significant
amounts of manpower and resources to ensure adherence to
regulations and statutory compliances.

16 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

 “
Do you use any technology
Monitoring and tracking statutory and
platform to track and monitor
regulatory compliances through an
adherence to regulations, statutory automated solution can help healthcare
compliances and litigations? organisations to prepare for self-
assessments quickly, efficiently and
effectively. As a result, healthcare providers
can assess compliance status and risk
posture faster than a manual compliance
Yes 42% management system. Automating evidence
collection, monitoring 24/7, providing
security awareness training and monitoring
internal organisational policies are concrete
steps to ensure healthcare compliances.
With tools and software for healthcare
No 58% compliances, organisations can stay up-to-
date and safe in real time, avoiding penalties
and fines by reducing manual compliance
dependencies and human errors.

Vipin Gupta
Executive Director
CFO Services
Grant Thornton Bharat

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 17

Leveraging technology for
tax efficiencies

“
Hospitals have multiple sources of revenue, such as in-patient
department (IPD), out-patient department (OPD) and sale Technology can assist healthcare
from pharmacy. Leveraging customised enterprise resource organisations in streamlining and optimising
planning (ERP) software to generate invoices for various various day-to-day operations and
sources of income increases operational efficiency at the complying with statutory requirements.
time of billing. HIS as an ERP to generate invoices for IPD and Technology is also enabling availability of
OPD patients, integrated with different departments, makes requisite data for timely completion of tax
the information centrally available at the time of generating compliances, including e-invoicing, wherever
the final invoice. applicable. Though the use of technology
can simplify various tax compliances, regular
monitoring along with timely updation of
various software is necessary to embrace
regular changes made by the government.

Karan Kakkar
Partner
Tax
Grant Thornton Bharat

18 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

Organisations can integrate tools with their ERPs to comply
with various laws

Implementation of software developed Under the recent amendments, Large healthcare organisations have a
by the Application Service Provider (ASP) GST is applicable at the rate of high volume of transactions which are
and GST Suvidha Provider (GSP) has 5% on provision of a non-ICU room impacted by the introduction of section
helped organisations to minimise manual by a clinical establishment having 194R under the income tax law. Tech
efforts for GST compliance and has charges exceeding INR 5,000 per tools and software can help the tax
simplified filing of regular GST returns. day to a person receiving healthcare teams at hospitals to keep a check on
Further, integration of such software with services. Such amendments have such compliances and ensure required
ERPs can help generate e-invoices and led to substantial changes, ranging deduction as per the section.
e-way bills directly from own ERPs. Such from documentation requirements to
software can also be used to prepare reporting in GST returns. Technological
various reconciliations for day-to-day intervention can aid in proactive
tax compliances and to respond to implementation of such amendments.
communications from tax authorities.

Technology has huge potential to reduce manual efforts; however, the dynamic nature of the tax laws requires constant
monitoring and updating of tools and software to remain compliant.

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 19

Telemedicine and EMR:
Harnessing true power
of digital

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine. Share of revenue from
Various healthtech players have entered into the space and
multiple hospitals have launched their telemedicine platforms.
telemedicine
However, the share of revenue from telemedicine is still less
than 10% for 98% of the hospitals. 2%
10% 10%
The government has been optimistic on the prospects of
telemedicine, and its free service – eSanjeevani – has witnessed
success. With the doctor-to-nurse ratio per 1,000 people
below the World Health Organisation norm and majority of
healthcare resources concentrated in metros and tier 1 cities,
telemedicine has tremendous potential to improve patient
access to healthcare, especially in rural or remote areas. While
telemedicine will not be the sole driver, wider adoption will be 78%
crucial in India’s bid for achieving universal health coverage.
This is also in line with the government’s priority of leveraging
digital health innovation and solution for the Health Working
Groups as a part of India’s G20 Presidency.

Investment in telemedicine infra can enable hospitals to Nil 0 - 5% 5 - 10% 10 - 20%

reach a wider population, drive efficiency, enhance patient
experience and maximise revenue.

20 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

 “
have implemented The survey indicates an increasing intent
62% amongst healthcare service providers to
EMR move towards a digital ecosystem. However,
various challenges exist which will need
to be ironed out to increase the uptake of
Lack of EMRs is an impediment in the adoption of EMR and realise the two-pronged benefits
telemedicine. While 62% respondents indicated that they for both patients and hospitals. We have
have implemented EMR, focus has largely been on moving seen resistance in the workforce at various
from paper to digital format and shifting processes from levels to adopt EMR. As most of the EMR
manual to electronic mode. systems take time to master, a robust training
programme for staff, including doctors,
needs to be in place for its implementation
in letter and spirit. Further, a regular audit
do not have EMR of the EMR compliance rate by physicians

54% integrated with and incorporating feedback will help improve

EMR adoption. Hospitals should also look
billing systems at incentivising staff to encourage higher
adoption of technology. These initiatives will
help us actualise the true potential of EMR
This is further substantiated from the survey result, with
in addressing incidences of medical errors,
54% of the respondents stating that they do not have EMR
improving the quality and safety of care and
integrated with billing systems. Smart and integrated EMR
reducing the operating cost of hospitals.
can bring in significant efficiencies in billings and enhance
patient experience.
Dr. Girdhar J. Gyani
Interoperable EMR can truly revolutionise healthcare by Director General
improving patient safety and enhancing continuity of care. AHPI
It can enable better clinical decision-making, particularly
in the case of telemedicine, by equipping doctors with
the patient history. Further, it can reduce administrative
burden and increase efficiency, enabling hospitals to focus
on patient care rather than data management. Moreover,
patient-authorised sharing of EMR for a specific period
will result in better control of data in the hands of the data
owners.

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 21

Ayushman Bharat Digital
Mission: Enrollment and
challenges

28%
The Indian healthcare ecosystem is characterised by high out-of-
pocket expenditure (OOPE). While the OOPE as a share of total
health expenditure declined from 64.2% in 2013-14 to 48.2% in
2018-19, harnessing digital capabilities can allow the sector to enrolled on the
expand its outreach and offerings at a scale that is accessible and
affordable for all.
Ayushman Bharat
Digital Mission
ABDM aims to develop an integrated digital health infrastructure
to bridge the gaps in the ecosystem. To achieve mission objectives,
platform
it is important to address some of the challenges and accelerate
stakeholder enrollment.

Challenges in enrollment

Tech implementation/
62%
integration challenge

Data privacy 50%

Regulatory 38%
scrutiny

Cyber
26%
threat

22 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

 “
There is no doubt that India needs a
Data privacy and management healthcare platform that assures data
Currently, sensitive personal information of the beneficiary is documented privacy, access to care, innovation,
offline in the registers/through a signed photocopy of identity documents. data management and convergences/
The issue is exacerbated by the lack of robust data management rules. collaboration. The government recognised
The data processor and data controller, at an institutional level, are not and launched ABDM with a vision to create
independent of each other. This problem confirms the long-standing a common digital platform. If implemented
argument that digitising the records alone will not ensure data privacy as envisaged, it can provide the ecosystem
for the patients. ABDM must rejig the data management architecture with a variety of resources to deliver/access
and establish/handpick existing institutions that are independent (at a state-of-art healthcare services. To actualise
regulatory level and desirably at a legislative level) to implement, manage the potential, we need to appreciate the
and process beneficiary and other data sets. existing challenges that may act as a thorn
in the otherwise stellar architecture. The
new digital care architecture of healing
spaces, home care, diagnostic centres,
telecare and remote monitoring should
Ecosystem development seamlessly integrate with the existing
The existing onboarding framework for intermediaries, such as physical infrastructure. Harnessing the full
pharmacists and medical equipment providers, does not talk seamlessly to potential of technology will be possible if we
the database of statutory requirements. This potentially creates a network simultaneously continue our investment in
of unverified intermediaries on the platform. It has a cascading effect on the physical healthcare infrastructure. We
the legitimacy of the service provider and the platform. need to design flexible digital spaces that
will allow the next-in-line leaders to deliver
state-of-the-art healthcare services using
technology.

Inter-state equalisation conundrum Ramendra Verma

Partner
Health is a state subject, and as a result there is a disparity in the burden
Public Sector Consulting
of providing healthcare and funding it. Interoperability will allow the
Grant Thornton Bharat
beneficiaries to avail of services from any part of the country. The already
well-off states experience a higher influx of patients and are able to further
invest in the infrastructure. On the other hand, the not so well-off states
end up paying for the development. The same is true for innovators who
would want to test their products in areas that cater to a wide range
of demography. The platform must ensure the equitable distribution of
resources that will allow for holistic development.

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 23

Way forward

The government’s digital push has ensured effective proliferation

of social sector schemes, resulting in mass outreach and direct
impact. The government should also focus on leveraging technology
for accessibility, affordability and making quality healthcare
services available at all levels. A recent example of a public-health-
focused digital is CoWIN, which facilitated a successful nationwide
vaccination programme by ensuring tracing and monitoring during
COVID-19.

The transition towards smart and connected hospital is not far behind,
with technology tools, equipment and devices, and digital solutions
becoming increasingly available both within and outside India. We
believe the attractive healthcare market conditions, economies of
scale along with fair competition will drive this trend. The convergence
of various healthcare service providers and healthcare insurance
service providers using technology platforms will increase the
insurance penetration amongst the population, ensure the availability
of insurance plans at an attractive premium and facilitate efficient
settlement of patient’s medical claims.

The Union Budget 2023 accords significant focus to digital innovation

in healthcare. Artificial intelligence (AI), business intelligence (BI) and
machine learning (ML) tools are going to have a path-breaking effect
on operational efficiencies and healthcare outcomes. These tools
can address issues such as clinician burnout, faster interpretation of
diagnostic results, improving the clinical workflows, and personalised
or customised healthcare programmes. Further, with the right set of
data protection measures, medical tourism will also receive a boost.

The success of digitalisation in healthcare is entirely dependent on

early adoption, proper training and incentivising the clinicians, nurses
and bio-mechanical professionals on effective use of technologies.
Another way of ensuring a smooth transition and effective adoption
is by providing adequate impetus to digital trends in the healthcare
sector, medical technology, and use and adoption of such
technologies for prognosis and procedures as part of the academic
programme and syllabus for medical professionals.

Creating an intelligent health system will make doctors better at

what they do, while improving patient experiences. A concerted effort
and hassle-free approach by all the key stakeholders to develop
technology and solutions that reach all levels of the healthcare
ecosystem will facilitate a win-win scenario for India in its journey
towards digitalisation of its healthcare infrastructure.

24 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

About Association of
Healthcare Providers (India)

AHPI represents the vast majority AHPI undertakes advocacy for AHPI in a short period of time has
of healthcare providers in India. It healthcare reforms, infrastructural become the esteemed organisation in the
is registered under Indian Society issues, taxation and tariff issues, healthcare industry comprising of about
Registration ACT- 1860 as “not for health insurance concerning matters 10,000 hospitals as its members.
profit” organization. It educates to and any other difficulties face by the
its members and at the same time, healthcare organisations or community AHPI aims at integrating healthcare
advocates with the government, for healthcare delivery or obtaining providers to work jointly with the
regulatory bodies and other stake healthcare services with equity. The stakeholders including government and
holders on issues, which have bearing AHPI Institute of Healthcare Quality society for well being of common man
on enabling its member organizations develops and conduct various healthcare and build healthy India. To make this
in delivering of Universal Healthcare management courses focusing on task easier we have divided the work
Services to the community at large. patient safety and healthcare quality, and created empowered teams at the
whereas AHPI Healthcare Certification state level. Maharashtra, Karnataka,
AHPI’s vision is to have healthy India, Centre an another subsidiary body of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi NCR,
encompassing society, community and AHPI develops standards for different Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,
common man at grass root. categories of healthcare establishments, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kerala, Odisha, North
certification of compliance of various East, MP and West Bengal now have
AHPI works with all stake holders in AHPI chapters.
standards by the healthcare agencies
establishing a national system where,
and customised certified training
common man can avail assured
programs and training (QMS and
universal access to basic health
healthcare managerial training) for the
services. The Federation facilitates its
industry. AHPI also provides information
members and partnering bodies, in
assistance to its member organization on
carrying out healthcare improvements
various problematic issues face by the
to serve the community effectively
client members.
and efficiently.

For more details, please contact:

Association of Healthcare Providers (India)

P: +91 11 43095694 | E: [email protected] | W: www.ahpi.in

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 25

About Grant Thornton Bharat
We constantly pursue new ideas and embrace a culture of curiosity, agility and innovation. We deliver the greatest value by
collaborating across services to create innovative, tailored solutions to meet clients’ complex challenges.

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Transaction and Lead Advisory Private Client Services

Public Sector Consulting Social and Sustainability Advisory

dGTL: Digital Transformation Services Global Delivery

Healthcare and Lifesciences Advisory

Our Healthcare and Lifesciences Advisory team brings together a combined experience of over 50 years to help
businesses and facilitate shaping the healthcare ecosystem.

Hospitals and clinics

01 Third-party administrators
05
Healthtech
02 Pharmaceuticals and bio-tech
06
Diagnostic service providers 03 Medical devices 07
Pharmacy chains 04 Surgical consumable
08

Experience End-to-end Partner-led Deep sectoral

across the capabilities focused expertise and
healthcare healthcare understanding
value chain practice

26 Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare

Acknowledgements

Authors For media queries, please contact:

Bhanu Prakash Kalmath S J E: [email protected]

Santhosh Chandrasekaran
Mohit Mathur
Pratishtha Nangia Contributors

Dr. Sunil Khetarpal, Director, AHPI

Shikhar Gupta, Deputy Director, AHPI
For queries, please write to

Bhanu Prakash Kalmath S J

Partner and Leader Editorial review Design
Healthcare and Lifesciences
Grant Thornton Bharat Tanmay Mathur Gurpreet Singh
E: [email protected] Shipra Jain

Technology transformation for future-ready healthcare 27

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