Preventive healthcare market in India is expected to be a $100 billion industry by 2022, and is witnessing growth at 18 per cent CAGR. This growing market has given plethora of opportunities to emerging healthcare firms catering to various healthcare segments, selling medicine online, developing healthcare kits and products, and others.

In the last few years, startups dominating the healthcare space were mostly aggregators or the ones into price discovery. These were predominantly platforms which gave access to many health service providers at a click or best price for getting health services. Next in the line were those who helped in increasing the health reach to the masses, such as telemedicines, e-consultation, and second medical opinions.

Recently, with the outbreak of Covid-19, a set of new ventures into preventive healthcare, care delivery and analytics have set in motion These startups are digging deep into the core problems and striving to fight the adverse effects of pandemic with the help of technology and innovation.

"These will be the companies that can create a significant impact on the industry in the coming times. With the increase in healthcare spending and out of pocket expenses, demand for preventive healthcare and healthcare delivery is growing exponentially. While earlier, hospitals were the only link in this ecosystem, home health services, specialised care centres and app based self-management programs are the next big thing," says Sanjay Lakhotia, Founder & Director, Fitastic.

A company named Log 9 has claimed to develop a device with the ability to nuetralize Covid-19 and other pathogens on surfaces of masks and hospital PPEs therefore making it extremely valuable in healthcare scenarios where medical staff is tight on protective supplies

Startups in Preventive Healthcare Stand to Gain
Sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy food habits leading to life-taking critical diseases and now Covid-19 pandemic - all put together have fueled the growth of preventive healthcare solutions like ayurveda products, immunity boosters and supplements. People are now more into healthier alternatives and nutritious foods. Preventive healthcare brands are witnessing a boom in their diagnostic solutions, immunity boosters, nutritional products, among others.

Clearly, the pandemic has brought the spotlight on creating a better healthcare system. The crisis has impaired the myriad avenues and prospects in boosting healthcare in India and the world. For healthcare startups today, there has never been a better time to revamp the healthcare system, and bring to fore the critical need for preventive healthcare in the areas of public health, medicine and wellness.

With more and more consumers increasingly looking at wearable gadgets, mobile health apps and Artificial Intelligence (AI), diagnostic and telemedicine tools, there are fair chances of reviving the scope of digital health as well.

Gadgets, remote monitoring devices and telehealth devices are standing a chance as great tools that can be used for keeping constant checks on individuals' health and vital statistics. Startups such as Practo, Portea and Lybate have already seen a surge in people reaching out for medical help through their networks.

Speaking on the different initiatives that startups are setting in motion, Mudit Dandwate, CEO & Co-founder, Dozee, shares, "There have been several initiatives by startups which enable virtual medical consultation to assess patients who have flu-like symptoms. Chatbots that can disseminate information related to coronavirus, and use of Robots and AI-driven devices in preventive aid monitoring are just some results of the initiatives that we have seen so far."

A company named Log 9 has claimed to develop a device with the ability to nuetralize Covid-19 and other pathogens on surfaces of masks and hospital PPEs therefore making it extremely valuable in healthcare scenarios where medical staff is tight on protective supplies.

The Need to Shift Focus on Preventive Healthcare
The need for India to refocus on preventive healthcare has spurted like never before; especially with such diverse and massive population, disproportionate infrastructure that impacts medical responses to pandemics.

Fine-tuning the healthcare strategies to preventive healthcare can prove to be a great way of helping improve physical and mental well-being and productivity of communities, families and individuals, and ease the economic burden on disadvantaged and marginalized groups. It is more likely to revolutionize healthcare delivery in Tier-2 & 3 cities and rural India.