Tele-counselling helpline is certainly catching up : Ms Upasana Kamineni, Apollo Hospitals Group

Healthcare sector in India is in the middle of a boom. We asked Ms. Upasana Kamineni of Apollo Hospitals group, the state and prospects of this sector. A graduate from London’s Regents College, Ms Upasana Kamineni is an Executive Director — Apollo Life, Vice President – Apollo Wellness, Vice President — Apollo Philanthropy, and Editor — B Positive Magazine. She is the eldest daughter of Mr. Anil and Shobana Kamineni and the granddaughter of Dr Prathap C Reddy, Founder-Chairman of Apollo Hospitals.

What in your opinion is the Health Industry scenario in India? Please include existing and competition.

The Indian healthcare sector is estimated to be around Rs 2 lakh crore and is slated to touch Rs 3 lakh crore by 2012. A sea change from the seventies, when Indians had to travel overseas for medical treatment, the country is now expected to attract about 500,000 medical value travelers. The factors underscoring this change are the incredibly low cost of high quality medical care and proven clinical outcomes in India. Costs for most interventions in India are as low as 10 percent as compared to the western world. To illustrate the case, a cardiac procedure costs anything between USD 40,000-60,000 in the US and in India it would cost a mere USD 2000 – 4000. Also, the success rate of cardiac bypass in India is 98.7% versus 97.5% in the United States. Encouraging these medical value travelers is the increasing presence of JCI accredited hospitals, the gold standard of accreditation and the hospitals’ growing investment in latest technology and infrastructure. Another interesting trend that also needs to be capitalized on is India’s emergence as a low cost base of manufacturing medical devices for the global healthcare market.

What is the health Industry evolving into in next 10 years?

The country provides incredibly low cost of high quality medical care and proven clinical outcomes. The cost of most interventions in India is as low as 10% as compared to the West. The success ratio for medical treatments in India is high, at 98%. India is also emerging as a low cost base of manufacturing medical devices for the global healthcare market. India is the fastest growing IT healthcare market in Asia, with 22% annual growth. The clinical trials market is growing fast and is likely to touch $630 million by 2012, up from $320 million in 2009, as the cost of conducting such trials is cheaper by 20-60%.

It is important to note that with a sharp pick up in healthcare insurance and healthcare-related tourism activities, the country will attract more medical tourists. It is estimated that close to 50,000 foreign nationals got treatment in India last year.

The country can attract investment worth R15,000 crore in the next two to three years.

Tell us more about your recent launch of APOLLO M.I.N.D.LINE. What is the response?

Apollo M.I.N.D.Line has been conceived to offer guidance and extend support to individuals of all ages in finding the right solutions to all their emotional and psychological problems – be it their professional woes, family troubles, or even a minor personal conflict that they are confronting alone. The services have been conceptualized by some of the most distinguished clinical psychologists from the Apollo Group, making it a credible source to turn to. We found that individuals find it difficult to open up and talk about what is bothering them concerning their friends and family. Adding to the time constriction, they are even apprehensive in consulting a psychologist. Apollo M.I.N.D. Line is for them, it assures complete confidentiality and anonymity to all individuals. Consider this: one can unburden all problems – at work, home – to a trained counselor on the phone, who would be able to offer practical and actionable advice to get back your peace of mind. But what takes the cake is this: the counselor would not be able to identify you later, as you are interacting only on phone! Your privacy is thus not invaded, but your problem would most probably get solved!

With this initiative, Apollo Life seeks to address some of the burning problems which ail the society today. The helpline is designed to attain comprehensive mental wellness of the people. It carries forth Apollo Life’s endeavor to help people live healthier, richer, productive, complete lives. Since this is a new concept in our country, it is taking time to gain acceptance, but it certainly is catching up.

Do you see an opportunity in the current worldwide crisis?
India being the heart capital, diabetes capital and the cancer capital of the world, prevention is better than cure. We must try our best to educate people to live healthier lives. People need time for themselves to destress, take care of their fitness and eat healthy. There is a huge opportunity for us to spread wellness in to the world.

What are the future plans?

The future plans are focused at two market segments- urban women and corporate India. We must get them healthy as they can change the way the country looks and functions. Once we reach a certain milestone, we will expand to larger segments.