DHN Forum Mumbai Galvanized Regional Health Ecosystem Towards Digital Transformation

The forum aimed to unite health tech startups, pharmaceutical companies, med tech firms, and hospitals to foster discussions on achieving digital health transformation.

In a pivotal gathering of healthcare leaders and innovators, the DHN Forum Mumbai emerged as a beacon of change, heralding a new era of digital transformation in India's healthcare landscape.

Hosted by Digital Health News (DHN) at the esteemed Taj Lands End, the event convened visionaries and practitioners alike to explore strategies, foster collaboration, and pave the way for a more accessible and efficient healthcare system.

Against the backdrop of unprecedented challenges and opportunities, the forum ignited discussions on innovation, scalability, and investment, underscoring the urgent need to harness digital technologies for the betterment of healthcare delivery nationwide.

Opening Remarks & Keynotes

Inaugurating the DHN Forum Mumbai, Vishnu Saxena, Founder and CEO of DHN, set the tone for the event by articulating a bold vision for the future of Indian healthcare.

"Our goal is to empower healthcare organizations across India to embrace digital technologies," he said. He further stressed the need for a comprehensive transformation that benefits every part of the country. The forum aimed to unite health tech startups, pharmaceutical companies, med tech firms, and hospitals to foster discussions on achieving digital health transformation.

Furthermore, in the opening keynote, Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, President of the Global Research Alliance, discussed the transformative potential of digital innovation in healthcare. He emphasized the need for continuous innovation to meet evolving consumer expectations and improve healthcare delivery.

Government Perspective on Digital Health

At the forefront of India's healthcare digitization efforts stands the National Health Authority (NHA), a pioneering institution dedicated to revolutionizing the country's healthcare landscape. Spearheading this transformative journey is the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), a monumental initiative aimed at creating a cohesive digital health ecosystem.

Within this framework, Narendra Singh, Program Manager for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) at the National Health Authority, provided a government perspective on healthcare digitisation. He said, "The purpose of ABDM is to establish a national digital health ecosystem that is integrated, effective, and inclusive.”

He highlighted significant progress, such as generating over 624 million Unique Health IDs, which showcases India's commitment to digital healthcare.

Innovation & Investment

Feby Abraham, Chief Strategy & Innovations Officer at Memorial Hermann Health System, led a session on innovation and investment in digital health. He highlighted the importance of investing in innovation to drive successful digital health systems.

"Innovation can be the sole determinant of achieving success in digital health transformation," Abraham remarked, noting the complexities of investment decisions in this field.

A fireside chat explored the need for innovation and venture investments to tackle India's healthcare challenges. Arvind Sivaramakrishnan, CIO of Karkinos Healthcare, and Dr K. Ganapathy, Principal Clinical Advisor at ScaleHealthTech, discussed how investments can address health delivery issues. They pointed out that in 2022, Indian health tech startups received $1.4 billion in investments, highlighting the sector's growth potential.

Additionally, Tushar Sadhu, VC at W Health Ventures, emphasized the critical role of clinical outcomes and hospital partnerships in driving quality and speed within their portfolio companies. As healthcare investors, Sadhu highlighted the need to prioritize these aspects to ensure the success and effectiveness of digital health initiatives.

Cybersecurity in Healthcare

Cybersecurity was a major focus at the forum. Esther Christopher, IT Security Evangelist at ManageEngine, spoke about safeguarding against cyberattacks. "Any security breach must be managed with comprehensive security tools that can detect and contain threats promptly," she stated. Her insights underscored the need for robust cybersecurity measures in the digital health landscape.

Kumar KV, CIO of Narayana Health, stressed the importance of data protection. "Cybersecurity is not an afterthought," he said, emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to handling patient data responsibly.

Digital Transformation Success Stories

The forum also showcased digital transformation success stories from top hospital CEOs. Adding insights, Anoop Lawrence, COO of Gleneagles Hospital, said, "The investment criteria for digital health transformation depend on the model of the healthcare organization, focusing now on patient experience."

A panel discussion on digital transformation essentials featured industry veterans like Arvind Sivaramakrishnan and Neil Gomes, Chief Digital Officer at AmeriHealth Caritas. They discussed the inevitability of digital transformation, with Gomes stating, "Either you adapt or get left behind."

The panel emphasized the need for strategic planning and execution in driving digital transformation.

Big Tech & Venture Funds

Another key discussion focused on the impact of big tech and venture funds on India's healthcare sector. Dr. Divleen Jeji of Google Health and Dr. Laxmi Jagannathan from IIIT B discussed the importance of local language content and government funding for healthcare startups. "We want to empower local language content, not just limit it to Hindi and English," Jeji said, highlighting the need for inclusivity in digital health initiatives.

Closing Reflections

The forum concluded with reflections on the critical role of collaboration among industry stakeholders, technology developers, and healthcare leaders. Participants explored new ideas and technologies aimed at enhancing care delivery, improving patient outcomes, and driving operational efficiency.

The DHN Forum Mumbai underscored the importance of innovation, scalability, and investment in transforming India's healthcare sector. By fostering collaboration among diverse healthcare stakeholders, the forum aimed to enhance the delivery of healthcare services across the country.