The digital revolution in the Indian healthcare industry was a long overdue change. With the evolution of the health sector in recent years, patients can now access the best medical treatments for several conditions. But improving health care is not without increasing medical costs. From surgeries to drugs, healthcare costs are skyrocketing and the global pandemic has only worsened medical inflation. Growing financial hardship is preventing patients from receiving elective health care procedures on time. Delaying millions of elective procedures could set India’s healthcare progress back for years.
A recent survey by Navia Life Care, one of the most trusted health technology platforms, showed the grim reality of delayed elective procedures across the country. According to the survey, about 60% of elective surgeries are postponed for financial reasons.
Because some elective procedures are more urgent than others, delays in surgical care could increase morbidity or mortality. In addition to potentially impacting morbidity and mortality, the continued postponement of elective surgeries could also worsen patients’ quality of life and healthcare experience.
Gaurav Gupta, co-founder of Navia Life Care, said the survey speaks about the healthcare spending pattern in India. “Postponing elective surgeries could ultimately have a lasting impact on patients’ quality of life. The healthcare sector must harness digital innovations and develop strategic plans to improve healthcare affordability for millions of patients who delay their elective surgeries.This can improve patient experience and outcomes.
What are elective surgeries
Elective surgeries are generally not life-threatening, but continued postponement can lead to serious complications over time. Several studies have shown that delays in surgical care for vision repair, knee replacement, or gallstone removal can impair quality of life and intensify severity.
With millions of patients delaying their elective procedures for financial reasons, the healthcare industry must collectively find a solution. In light of financial difficulties, innovations such as instant medical loans and the BNPL (buy now, pay later) model have recently entered the healthcare landscape.
With instant medical loans available to patients, they can receive quality care whether it is emergency treatment or elective surgery.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, several clinics have embraced digital medical loans, which connect patients to financial institutions for instant medical loans. As a result, patients can avail these instant loans for elective procedures, treatments, consultations, diagnostic tests, and medications without delaying care.
These healthcare innovations are enabling the industry to strengthen clinical operations, transform care delivery and improve patient experience and outcomes.
