Bijoor further pointed out the need for personalised medicine, linking it to health data and individual genetic profiles, which digital health can provide.
Published Aug 11, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 11, 2024 | 4:35 PM
Harish Bijoor at the Dakshin Healthcare Summit. (South First)
As healthcare continues to evolve, the call for digital health solutions has never been louder. At the recent Dakshin Health Care Summit, organised by South First and TV9 Network, Harish Bijoor — a brand guru — articulated the urgency of embracing digital health in India’s healthcare system.
His words underscored a significant shift in consumer expectations—an increasing number of people demanding quick, efficient, and personalised healthcare services— delivered digitally.
“I am digital, give me telehealth, there is a clarion call for it,” Bijoor stated emphatically during his talk.
Noting that “Time is the biggest currency”, Bijoor highlighted the demand for telehealth, as it is quick and efficient. He also emphasised the value placed on speed and convenience in modern healthcare.
Bijoor further pointed out the need for personalised medicine, linking it to health data and individual genetic profiles, which digital health can provide.
“Personalised medicine linked to health data and individual genetic profiles is required, and digital health can give you that,” he said. This approach not only tailors treatment to the individual but also harnesses the power of data to improve outcomes.
However, Bijoor highlighted a critical gap in the current healthcare system: The lack of effective data utilisation.
“Some of the best hospitals in the country have data, but the correlation of that data does not exist today. And therefore, we don’t use data effectively in hospitals,” he lamented.
While data is used for billing and administrative purposes, he noted, “In the clinical realm, its potential remains underutilized.”
Bijoor also highlighted the potential of wearable technology in the digital health space. “Preemptive, proactive, and automated monitoring through wearables of every kind,” he shared.
Devices like Fitbit and Garmin, which can monitor various health parameters, are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. “The Fitbit can tell you whether you’re sleeping 7 hours a day and how that correlates to your health,” Bijoor explained, further noting the growing demand for such devices in India.
The message from the Dakshin Health Care Summit is clear: Digital health is not just a future concept, it is a present necessity. Hospitals must embrace these technologies and leverage the data they hold to meet the evolving needs of their patients.
As Bijoor aptly put it, “Time is the biggest currency”, and in today’s fast-paced world, digital health is the key to saving it.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
