Vishal Lathwal
With a population exceeding 1.3 billion, India's healthcare infrastructure often struggles to meet the demand. Home healthcare, if adopted well, can significantly reduce the burden on hospitals, reduce healthcare costs, and lower the risk of hospital-acquired infections. Additionally, studies also suggest that in a more comfortable and familiar home environment, patient adherence to treatment plans also goes up.
In an exclusive interview with Mid-Day, Vishal Lathwal, CEO of Apollo Home Healthcare, shared his insights on the importance of home healthcare in India and its potential to improve patient outcomes nationwide:
Vishal's journey from consulting, automobiles, and traditional healthcare to the home healthcare sector was fueled by a passion for making healthcare more patient-centric. His diverse background provided valuable insights into operational efficiency and customer service, but the unique opportunity to directly impact patient lives in home healthcare was the driving force behind his transition. The potential to innovate and transform healthcare delivery in India motivated him to make this shift.
This passion for patient-centric care is reflected in what sets Apollo Home Healthcare apart. The Company's comprehensive and integrated approach to patient care combines a highly trained medical team with advanced technology and personalized care. Apollo ensures continuity of care and seamless coordination with hospital-based treatments. The company's commitment to quality and safety, backed by Apollo's trusted brand, has led to over half a million successful home visits annually, establishing it as a reliable and effective provider of home healthcare services.
Talking about how technology is playing a crucial role in Apollo Home Healthcare's service delivery, Vishal stated "By leveraging telemedicine, remote monitoring, and digital health platforms, Apollo is enhancing patient care and ensuring timely interventions. Recent advancements include AI-powered diagnostic tools, electronic health records (EHR) integration, and mobile health apps. These innovations aim to achieve 'paperless' operations within the next two years, making healthcare more efficient and patient-centered."
Diving into Apollo's home partnership programs which provide specialized care for patients with chronic conditions and those recovering from surgeries. These programs offer personalized care plans, regular home visits, and access to advanced rehabilitation equipment. Seamless communication with hospital treating doctors and a supportive care-giver team ensures timely clinical decisions, leading to faster recovery and reduced hospital readmissions. "Our patients signing up under these programs have recorded faster recovery and often avoided hospital readmission through timely intervention." says Vishal.
Patient-centric care at Apollo Home Healthcare involves comprehensive assessments and personalized care plans. A multidisciplinary team collaborates with patients and their families to understand their needs and preferences whereas the supervisory layer acts as the go-to healthcare counselors for any and all patient needs. Regular feedback and continuous monitoring help in adjusting care plans as needed, ensuring that each patient receives the best possible care tailored to their individual needs. The patient satisfaction scores range above 80 with an average google rating of 4.4+ reflecting Apollo Homecare's commitment to service delivery.
Talking about the challenges Vishal expresses that "Home healthcare is still in its nascent stages in India, with organized players currently capturing only about 2.5% of the market. This presents a significant growth opportunity for branded providers. However, there are challenges, particularly in the availability and quality of nursing staff. Another major issue is that home healthcare is still largely an out-of-pocket expense, as it is not yet covered by insurance. Addressing this requires the standardization of care protocols and outcomes to facilitate insurance participation. The skill gap in nursing requires structural reforms at the policy-making level to ensure a robust and skilled workforce. On the positive side, technology is already playing a crucial role in bridging the supply gap and enhancing skill development through advanced training programs and remote monitoring tools."
Since its inception in 2015, Apollo Home Healthcare has achieved significant growth by focusing on clinical outcomes, patient care, and consumer trust. Firstly, the inherited DNA that focuses on relentless pursuit for clinical outcomes and patient care combined with strong consumer trust in the brand, gives Apollo Homecare an edge. Second, the comprehensive suite of services and wider geography coverage have helped cater to larger groups of patients seeking healthcare services at home in a short period of time. Homecare gets delivered through distributed workforces and in largely un-supervised environments. Hence a strong focus on clinically backed protocols and deep understanding of healthcare systems has been instrumental in the success of Apollo's homecare business.
Looking ahead, Apollo Home Healthcare plans to expand its services, cover more specialized areas of care, leverage technology for better delivery and operational efficiency, and deepen its geographic reach. Strategic partnerships, technological advancements, and innovative care models will drive Apollo's future expansion efforts.
Reflecting on the future of home healthcare in India, Vishal is optimistic about its potential. He highlights that the sector is poised for significant growth, driven by an increasing demand for personalized and convenient care solutions. With an aging population and a rising prevalence of chronic diseases, home healthcare is set to become crucial in addressing these challenges. He points to advances in technology, supportive government policies, and heightened awareness of home-based care benefits as key factors fueling this growth. By 2030, the home healthcare market in India is expected to expand at a CAGR of 19%, reaching an impressive market size of $13 billion. Vishal envisions a future where home healthcare becomes an integral part of the healthcare ecosystem, improving access and outcomes for patients across India.
