Relentless innovation is the key to create value across every industry and the healthcare industry is certainly no exception. The healthcare industry in India has been a late adopter of technology which is why the implementation of several initiatives that relied on the use of technology faced some major obstacles.
The adoption of different forms of technology is crucial for increased efficiency, expanded access and improved outcomes. While telemedicine is one area where we are now seeing increased use of telecommunications and medical technology, there is a dire need to adopt the same attitude across every segment of the healthcare industry to ensure better healthcare, quality and deliverability.
Working with the intention of enhancing the healthcare deliverables, Apollo TeleHealth is one of the industry leaders in the telemedicine sector.
Under the leadership of Vikram Thaploo, CEO of the company, Apollo TeleHealth is taking giant strides towards achieving its mission and goals. How is it doing that? Let’s read in the below exclusive Interview with Insights Care:
IC Team: Please brief our audience about your company, its values, vision, and mission.
Vikram: Apollo TeleHealth is the oldest and largest multispecialty telemedicine network in South Asia. Being a pioneer in telemedicine, we serve both rural and urban communities ensuring that quality health services are available to all. We offer telehealth services like Teleconsultations, Tele-Emergency, Tele-ICU, Tele-Radiology, Tele-Condition Management, Tele-Cardiology, and many more.
Apollo TeleHealth is like a close-knit family guided by the values of Compassionate Care, Trustworthy Spirit, Excellence, Proactive Involvement and Pioneering Attitude. Our values unite us and hold us for a common cause which is to provide quality services to a globalised populace by facilitating the interactions through innovative use of technology. Our mission and vision are to provide healthcare accessibility to a wide population base, even in the remotest corners by using state-of-the-art technologies to ensure a healthier tomorrow.
IC Team: What are the prominent solutions and products that make your company stand out from the competition?
Vikram: Apollo Telehealth empowers its patients with integrated healthcare delivery to offer services like Teleconsultations, Tele-Emergency, Tele-ICU, Tele-Radiology, Tele-Condition Management, Tele-Cardiology, and others. By blending in advanced medical devices, IT and quality clinical services, Apollo Remote Healthcare is empowering its patients to get effective treatment without the need to step out of their homes.
Our approach to evidence-based quality healthcare supported by high end connected and state-of-the-art devices and clinical protocols have given us an edge in medical expertise with a massive presence across India.
Since the telehealth service is an offshoot of Apollo’s integrated healthcare delivery system, we certainly have the edge of being the leaders offering critical services like Tele-Emergency and Tele-ICU as well as regular services such as Tele-Consultancy, Tele-Condition Management, Tele-Radiology, Tele-Cardiology, etc. This is what helps us to strengthen our position in the market and remain the leaders.
IC Team: Brief us about the featured person(s) and their journey in the healthcare industry.
Apollo TeleHealth Team: A veteran with extensive experience in setting up sustainable business models and strategizing innovative projects, Mr. Vikram Thaploo is a successful business leader who is presently in charge of Apollo’s Remote Healthcare Vertical. He has more than twenty years of experience working for some of the most prestigious organisations that span across diverse industries like retail, healthcare, and hospitality.
As the CEO of Apollo TeleHealth, he is hailed for his efforts to put in place a sustainable business model that delivers quality healthcare services to all, be it for people from the rural parts of the country or the urban areas. With his knack for excellence and implementation of successful business operations, his objective is to provide affordable healthcare services by bringing together Medtech ecosystems, telecom, and technology. ASSOCHAM awarded ‘Leadership Award of the Year’ to Mr. Vikram Thaploo and he won the accolade for ‘CEO of the Year’ which was presented by Healthcare Achievers and Leadership Award, among many such awards.
IC Team: Taking into consideration, the current pandemic, and its impact on global economies, how are you driving your organization to sustain operations and ensuring safety of your employees at the same time?
Vikram: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses and economies across the world. It is now more important than ever to refocus on business operations to maintain seamless business continuity. We are adopting a collaborative, pragmatic approach to adapt ourselves to new ways of running a business and ensure that things are happening in an empathetic, timely manner. We are also following an active communications strategy to employees, suppliers, clients, and partners so that business operations remain free from hurdles.
Our primary focus is the safety and health of our employees, their family, and our Apollo community as-a-whole. We have been adhering to safe work practices and a safe work environment ever since we became a part of Apollo. Keeping in mind the present situation, we have implemented different measures to prevent the risk of spread and provide a safe, healthy environment for our employees. No delay in salaries, adequate insurances and flexibility in their areas has been a motivation for employees.
IC Team: What do you think could be the future of Telehealth technologies and solutions market post the COVID-19 pandemic?
Vikram: The widespread adoption and popularity of telehealth services is a clear indication of the fact that it is here to stay. Instead of just being viewed as another technological fad, telehealth should be an enabler that would support the overall healthcare delivery system. With advancements in technology happening at a fast pace, I believe that telehealth will turn out to be one of the most useful clinical tools for increased operational efficiencies and better patient care.
As healthcare providers look for ways to cut-down healthcare costs while maintaining their quality of service, they will need to adjust to changes like telehealth to better meet the needs of their patients. With several countries and states set to adopt meaningful telehealth legislation over the coming months, the future of telehealth certainly looks promising. Telehealth is the only means to provide continuum of care.
IC Team: What would be your advice to the emerging entrepreneurs aspiring to enter the healthcare industry?
Vikram: Clear vision and passion are two of the most essential qualities to be successful in any business. Another important factor is how much time you are investing to learn the subject in-depth. Being an entrepreneur, one must understand that there are no rule books or guides to move from one step to another. There will be moments of uncertainty and doubt, but the idea is to move ahead even if there are failures.
My advice would be to keep your goal in sight and fuel it with perseverance. Telehealth is a promising sector where people from the medical field as well as IT can make their presence felt. There is a vast pool of opportunity waiting to be explored, so just believe your instincts, and turn your dream into reality.
IC Team: Where do you envision your organization to be in the long run and what are your future goals?
Vikram: What we started as an initiative to provide healthcare services at reasonable prices to people in villages across India has now turned into a comprehensive development that spans across rural and urban geographies, globally. With telemedicine being gradually recognized as a feasible solution to quality healthcare accessibility, we are partnering with different state governments to address the healthcare needs of the population.
We will continue to focus on the digitalization of healthcare with IoT, AI-enabled platforms, CDSS, IoMT and machine learning (ML) to expand the reach of telemedicine to every corner of the country. Presently we have our presence across 350,000 touchpoints in India along with 50 prominent cities and 48 countries having touched over 12 million lives. We want to take this further by touching more than one billion lives and expand the reach of telehealth services.