Digital health, big data to drive next gen healthcare: Sangita Reddy

New Delhi: “While we are aiming at the $ 8 trillion big healthcare industry by 2030, there are both huge opportunities and challenges. The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is growing exponentially while we chase the higher GDP,” mentioned, Ms Sangita Reddy, Executive Director, Apollo Group of Hospitals while speaking at the Sixth Healthcare Access Summit 2017 hosted by Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) at New Delhi on 9th June.

Elaborating further on the action points needed on priority, she said, “We need to do something different yet inclusive. Serving healthcare and manufacturing the medical products have to be complimentary to each other. There has to be a collective vision. From sick care to wellness care, there is a need to change in thought process.”

The OPPI’s Healthcare Access Summit this year focused on bringing ‘Policies into Best Practices in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Talking about the up gradation in doctors’ skills, Ms Reddy said, “The skills of doctors can’t be left untouched. The digital revolution calls for a change. Scientific knowledge coupled with data must drive insights for analysis. Similarly, the technology can be used to analyze the data.”

She also pointed towards the price control, digital health, and technology being drivers for new healthcare innovations. “We are in the changing environment and must admit that these are challenging times. Data for drug discovery create a win-win situation. Digital will drive be our engine. Collectively and collaboratively, let’s find ways to accelerate research,” Ms Reddy concluded.

Sangita Reddy is the Chairperson of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industries) for the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and she is also its National Head of Healthcare. She is an elected Member of the Steering Committee on Health for the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-2017) for the Government of India.