The future of the industry will include taking diagnostics to people and empowering them with tools and information while focusing on building diagnostic capabilities for labs and healthcare facilities
Impact of COVID-19 on Indian healthcare sector and the way forward The struggle against COVID-19 has proved to be an uphill task for countries across the globe. While India was able to contain the spread effectively last year, the rapid spread of the virus since early March has kept the healthcare sector on its toes. Crossing the four lakh mark of new infections per day the pandemic has had a massive impact on healthcare delivery in general and diagnostics in particular. Nevertheless, things are improving now as there has been a significant dip in the number of cases last month.
The pandemic has drastically altered the perception of diagnostics. From being on the side-lines of the healthcare segment to gaining the centre stage, the segment is getting its due. Medical diagnostics has become the first line of defence for disease containment as it reveals the prevalence and spread of disease. It has become the pillar around which COVID management policies are being framed in India and across the world. WHO’s T3: Test, Treat and Track model cannot sustain without diagnostics playing its role.
Impact of the second wave on healthcare
The healthcare sector came under acute pressure as the second wave spread across the nation. With the evergrowing number of patients seeking hospitalisation, doctors and healthcare support staff were forced to work multiple shifts. The low doctor to patient ratio, a limited number of ICU beds and the scarcity of oxygen at certain places made it a nightmarish experience for the healthcare professionals and the patients.
The diagnostics sector was not left untouched. The segment had undergone a rapid development after the pandemic knocked our doors and laboratories capable of conducting COVID-19 tests increased to 2552 in May 2021 from a meagre 14 labs in February 2020. Though this growth in the number of laboratories is encouraging, the second wave of COVID-19 exposed that a lot more needs to be done.
The sector increased the number of tests per day yet the unprecedented demand made it impossible to conduct
tests and deliver reports on time. The lack of manpower in the sector became evident. From phlebotomists to lab technicians to doctors the limited number of skilled professionals could not cater to the massive requirements.
The way forward
Credible information is the key to multiple woes; only verified information should be disseminated to reduce panic. Misinformation during a crisis can have a catastrophic impact. While testing and other healthcare measures need to be escalated, it is pertinent that the populace strictly adheres to COVID appropriate behaviour. Mutant strains may or may not affect the inoculated individuals; hence it would be wise to carry out large-scale testing, identify possible hotspots, and contain the proliferation and protect the strained healthcare system from further pressure.
Managing a contagion of this scale requires continuous concerted efforts. We need to monitor the spread of mutant strains, sequencing of the virus to identify troublesome variants, increase RT-PCR testing while monitoring the levels of antibodies in the population. We need a multi-pronged strategy to restrain this new wave from spreading further. Our healthcare system is evolving rapidly with the integration of digital technology, modern-day application and innovative practices that will drive the delivery of healthcare services.
Ever since the emergence of the pandemic, people are hesitant of stepping out of their homes to visit even diagnostic labs or hospitals, hence leading to an increased demand for home collection and teleconsultation. More and more, consumers are opting for digital platforms to book tests and access their reports, which has also
led to the strengthening of digital functionalities in the domain.
The pandemic has drastically changed consumer behaviour; it has turned them cautious and more informed. They try to find accredited, safe and hygienic facilities. Further, there has been an upward tick in preventive testing that would continue as people are becoming aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The future of the industry will include taking diagnostics to people and empowering them with tools and information while focusing on building diagnostic capabilities for labs and healthcare facilities. It will be an era
of high-end personalised diagnostics co-existing with highly efficient point-of-care devices keeping real-time monitoring of vital parameters – An era of reimagining healthcare delivery.
