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Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
"Running Out of Cures": Experts warn of India's silent AMR catastrophe
New Delhi: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is no longer a looming global health threat—it is already here, silently claiming thousands of lives across India every week. Infections that were once treatable are now proving deadly, and doctors are increasingly witnessing the failure of even last-resort antibiotics. In a recent ETHealthworld webinar titled 'Running Out of Cures: A Deep Dive into India's Antimicrobial Resistance Crisis,' leading clinicians, researchers, and public health experts dissected the alarming rise of AMR and what India must do—urgently—to contain the fallout. 'When Nothing Works': A Clinician's Dilemma Dr. Tanu Singhal, Infectious Disease Specialist at Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, recalled devastating cases where no antibiotic proved effective. One such case involved a liver transplant patient battling multiple infections, including a highly drug-resistant Enterococcus faecium. 'The infection was resistant to vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid. The only option was tigecycline—unsuitable for bacteremia. We eventually lost her. She left against medical advice, unable to afford prolonged care, and died en route to her home,' she said. Even when effective drugs exist, the cost can be prohibitive. 'We had to import cefiderocol rupees four lakh per day—for an patient with Acinetobacter pneumonia. Though we cured the infection, the patient eventually died of a heart attack due to prolonged hospitalization,' she added. In neonatal care, the scenario is no better. 'Gone are the days when ampicillin and gentamicin were enough. We now see newborns with carbapenem-resistant infections requiring colistin and even imported drugs like cefiderocol,' Dr. Singhal warned, citing India-specific studies showing alarmingly high resistance rates in neonatal sepsis. Hospitals Prepared, But Surveillance Still Fragile While larger hospitals are equipped to manage outbreaks, challenges persist, particularly in smaller and rural facilities. 'Accredited hospitals have adequate manpower and isolation infrastructure for MDR cases,' said Dr. Anita Arora, Director of Medical Operations and IPC Head at Fortis Healthcare. 'But gaps exist in standardization and surveillance, especially across the country's vast non-accredited and tier-2, tier-3 healthcare facilities.' Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, former ICMR scientist and Distinguished Professor at Symbiosis International University, pointed out the lack of robust, generalizable AMR surveillance data as a major impediment to public health action. 'ICMR's surveillance network includes 20-odd urban tertiary hospitals. That doesn't reflect the national AMR burden. Surveillance must extend to secondary and primary care levels—and even into communities—if we want real change,' he emphasised. India's National Action Plan on AMR, nearing a decade since launch, remains limited in its implementation. 'We have a policy, but not a vertical program like for TB or HIV. That's why AMR doesn't get priority in funding or policy enforcement,' Dr. Gangakhedkar noted. Despite sepsis from multi-drug resistant organisms becoming one of India's top infectious killers, there is no emergency response system. 'We lack a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach. Without demand from the public or advocacy from clinicians, every death remains anecdotal,' he warned. Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, Director and CEO of C-CAMP, highlighted the emerging biotech response to AMR through the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH). 'Over 80 new diagnostic and therapeutic innovations are in the pipeline, including point-of-care detection tools, small-molecule therapies, peptides, and even mAbs,' he said. Within five years, IAIH aims to bring 15–20 AMR solutions to market. 'Our focus is on affordability, accessibility, and adaptability to Indian healthcare settings. We are also partnering with state governments to test and deploy these solutions,' Dr. Saiyed said. What Fuels the AMR Crisis? Rampant over-the-counter (OTC) use and physician-driven overprescription are key drivers. 'We frequently see patients self-medicating with azithromycin for fever,' said Dr. Singhal. 'There's an urgent need for public campaigns discouraging this behavior and educating people that antibiotics are not for viral infections.' Physician behavior must also change. 'Nearly 70% of outpatient visits are viral, yet antibiotics are often prescribed. Pharmacies dispensing antibiotics without prescriptions must be stopped. The government should crack down on irrational fixed-dose combinations and improve antibiotic quality,' she added. India's AMR crisis is tightly linked to its infectious disease burden. 'If we reduce infections, we automatically reduce antibiotic use,' Dr. Singhal argued. 'Better water, sanitation, hygiene, and vaccination—like typhoid vaccines—are critical long-term AMR containment tools.' A Call for National Coordination and Accountability All experts agreed that AMR cannot be tackled in silos. 'This is not just a medical or regulatory issue. It's a community issue, a veterinary issue, a poultry issue, a pharma issue. Everyone must be accountable,' Dr. Gangakhedkar stressed. Dr. Arora echoed that sentiment: 'No irrational antibiotic combinations should be manufactured or prescribed—anywhere. Regulatory agencies must crack down at the state level, and hospitals must not allow irrational drugs inside their doors.' India's AMR crisis is no longer silent—it is deafening for those willing to listen. But without systemic surveillance, public advocacy, rational prescription practices, and coordinated innovation, the country risks running out of curative options. As Dr. Gangakhedkar summed it up: 'Every patient asking, 'Do I really need this antibiotic?' is a step forward. Every death from untreatable infection must not be forgotten—it must become a rallying cry for urgent action.'
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From charity to capitalism with conscience, ESG gains ground in Indian healthcare and pharma
New Delhi: As India's healthcare sector races toward a projected USD 596 billion valuation by 2025, a quiet but powerful shift is underway—Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are emerging as the next big disruptor. No longer just a corporate buzzword, ESG is now being seen as a critical framework to tackle inequities, attract impact-driven capital , and build a resilient, inclusive healthcare ecosystem. Experts say ESG could be the game-changer India needs to move beyond piecemeal CSR initiatives and government subsidies—offering instead a data-backed, accountability-driven approach to bridging access gaps, especially in rural and underserved regions. Despite its massive scale, healthcare accounts for just six per cent of the total market capitalisation of the top 1,000 NSE-listed firms—highlighting an urgent need for long-term, value-based transformation. With over 7.5 million workers across hospitals, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medtech, and biotech, embedding ESG may not just boost investor trust—it could define India's path to becoming a global healthcare leader by 2047. India currently ranks 120 out of 156 countries on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, reflecting an urgent need to adopt frameworks that move from short-term charity to measurable, long-term impact. In a conversation with ETHealthworld, Amit Bhatia, Founder of Aspire Impact and Aspire Circle, emphasised the growing relevance of ESG in reshaping healthcare outcomes across the country. 'ESG enables us to move from charity to capitalism with conscience . It incentivises healthcare providers to address underserved populations through market-based mechanisms, improving both health outcomes and investment returns,' he said. India's healthcare landscape is marked by deep-rooted inequities, especially in rural and tier 2/3 cities, where critical gaps in infrastructure, affordability, and access remain. According to Bhatia, traditional philanthropy often lacks scale, sustainability, and accountability. ESG frameworks, by contrast, offer structured and quantifiable models backed by 150+ healthcare-specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These KPIs track metrics viz patient safety and care quality, medical waste management, gender equity and workforce inclusion, affordability and last-mile access, digital health adoption and ethical governance and transparency 'Only 25 per cent of Indian companies disclose ESG metrics today. But those that do often enjoy 5 to 20 per cent higher valuation multiples, increased investor trust, and improved brand equity,' Bhatia noted. Unlike one-off donations or government subsidies that risk creating dependency, ESG-driven investments aim to align profitability with purpose. Aspire Impact uses a Dual ESG Ratings & Rankings system that evaluates companies on both risk mitigation and impact potential, helping guide capital towards organisations making a measurable difference—particularly in low-access geographies. Through its evaluation of over 1,000 companies, Aspire has helped develop sector-specific ESG roadmaps tailored to various industries. The healthcare ESG framework, launched in 2022, is designed to support providers operating in underserved regions, where demand for quality, inclusive care is rapidly growing. Bhatia also highlighted how embedding ESG principles into public health initiatives—such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM)—can significantly enhance transparency, accountability, and scalability. He further called for greater alignment between ESG disclosures and India's regulatory mandates, including the Companies Act and SEBI's ESG reporting requirements. This alignment, he noted, could catalyse widespread adoption of ESG frameworks across both public and private healthcare players. 'The future of healthcare is not just digital or data-driven, it must be value-driven. ESG allows us to quantify our intentions, measure our progress, and attract capital that's both responsible and results-oriented,' Bhatia said. With sustainability and accountability becoming top priorities for investors, ESG adoption in healthcare is no longer optional—it's a strategic imperative. For India to bridge persistent gaps in equity, affordability, and access, ESG provides a clear and actionable pathway to achieving universal healthcare goals while reinforcing national resilience. As India looks ahead to its centenary in 2047, embedding ESG principles into healthcare strategy could become a defining lever—reshaping not just institutions, but also the future of public health and social impact in the country.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
India's Silent Ache: Why the Country Is Grappling with a Musculoskeletal Crisis
By Pratibha Raju and Vishal Kumar Singh New Delhi: India is quietly battling a surge in musculoskeletal disorders—joint pain, spinal issues, and bone degeneration are no longer limited to the elderly. Sedentary lifestyles, nutritional gaps, and screen-heavy routines are impacting people across age groups, including children. With nearly 20 per cent of India's population expected to be over 60 by 2050, addressing MSK health is becoming an urgent public health priority. Recognizing the scale and complexity of this surge, leading orthopaedic experts convened at the inaugural edition of Future MedX: The Smart Patient Care Summit. Moderated by Pratibha Raju, Senior Assistant Editor at ET Healthworld, the panel explored how lifestyle, nutrition, and technology are reshaping the landscape of joint and bone health in India. The expert panel members consisted of Dr. Rajesh Bawari, Principal Consultant ,Orthopaedics & Head Complex Trauma & Orthopaedics Units, Max Hospital; Dr. Jayant Arora, Senior Director and Unit Head - Orthopaedics, Fortis Healthcare; Dr. Buddhadeb Chatterjee, Sr. Consultant -Orthopaedics, Apollo Hospital; Dr. Shubh Mehrotra, Director - Joint Replacement and Robotic Surgery, Lovee Shubh Hospital; Dr. Firoz Ahmed, Director and HOD, Dept of Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement and Sports Medicine, ARHI Hospital. The discussion opened with a stark observation: MSK health is deeply connected to overall organ health. 'Poor musculoskeletal health will eventually translate into poor organ health and serious illness,' warned Dr. Buddhadeb Chatterjee. He also raised a broader concern — the diminishing nutrient value in our soil and food, adding, 'As the earth is aging, the nutrients in the soil are diminishing, and that is why, since most of our food comes from the soil, the nutriments in the food that we take is also reducing. There's no definite study on this, no definite level one evidence, but this is a thought which is there in a lot of people.' While aging is one part of the story, modern lifestyle habits are clearly accelerating degeneration. 'The 10-minute food delivery guys are also to be blamed,' stated Dr. Jayant Arora, referring to how technology has eroded basic movement from our daily lives. 'We are getting degenerative knees in patients as young as their 40s,' said Dr. Pranay Bhushan Pandey. 'The youngest degenerative non-traumatic total knee replacement I have done is in a 47-year-old.' And it's not just older adults anymore. Children and young adults are increasingly presenting with postural deformities, vitamin deficiencies, and even degenerative spine changes. 'The spine matures at 30, but we are seeing changes at 18,' noted Dr. Shubh Mehrotra, who attributed this to excessive screen time and poor posture. He also warned that children today are growing up disconnected from natural movement, and as a result, 'with flat feet and faulty foundations, everything from the ankle to the spine is at risk. Environmental factors and pollution are also playing a role, particularly in the rise of osteoporosis and early degeneration. 'Patients as young as 25, mostly females, are showing degenerative knee problems,' said Dr. Firoz Ahmed. Meanwhile, Dr. Rajesh Bawari pointed out a fundamental mismatch: 'Our body is not programmed or designed to work the way we are used to… we need to balance it out with countermeasures.' When asked about urban children's health risks, the consensus was clear — a lack of outdoor play and physical activity is taking its toll. 'Flat feet and knock knees in overweight children — it all stems from being indoors too much,' said Dr. Jayant, echoing the concerns raised earlier. Dr Buddhadeb added. Role of Nutraceuticals This naturally led the conversation to prevention — specifically, the role of nutraceuticals. Calcium, Vitamin D, magnesium, collagen, mucopolysaccharides, and curcumin were all mentioned as key supplements doctors now routinely recommend. 'We cannot survive without nutraceuticals in the current scenario,' said Dr. Pranay, explaining how deficiencies are now prevalent across all age groups. 'Every third person, no matter the age group, will need one.' Dr. Rajesh explained why this matters. He highlighted that nutraceuticals offer a safer long-term option often leading to noticeable improvements that patients themselves report back. Dr. Firoz emphasized that these aren't magic pills but crucial for tissue repair: 'They help not only in strengthening but also in the repair process.' Dr. Buddhadeb cautioned stating that the evidence is still catching up: 'There is really no level one evidence which establishes nutraceuticals as an absolutely mandatory component. But we have definitely observed the benefits of nutraceuticals.' For women who have attained menopause, doses change and other nutrients get added.' Others suggested adding magnesium, mucopolysaccharides, and plant-based estrogens like isoflavonoids. Despite a strong vote of confidence for nutraceuticals, every panelist stressed that supplements alone are not enough. 'There are no quick fix solutions,' said Dr. Rajesh. 'I can't become a bodybuilder by just taking protein shakes.' Dr. Shubh echoed this, advocating for moderation: 'Take it for a few weeks, stop, then restart and don't end up with hypervitaminosis.' For Dr. Jayant, exercise remains paramount. He emphasized that true healing begins with movement, noting that muscles are the body's natural pharmacy — and that exercise drives the majority of clinical outcomes. Robotic Knee Replacements The second half of the discussion focused on Robotic knee replacements, an innovation that has rapidly gained traction in India. 'It is one of the most fruitful surgeries in medical science,' said Dr. Pranay. 'There's no shortcut — if it's end-stage, you have to go for a replacement.' He explained that robotic assistance allows for better precision, less soft tissue damage, and more accurate gap balancing, especially in complex cases. Dr. Buddhadeb reframed robotic surgery not as a tool but as a concept. 'Every knee is different; the eye cannot see 3 degrees of misalignment, but the robot can.' He described it as a shift from 'one-size-fits-all' to personalized alignment. Jayant shared that robotic surgeries now form 80% of knee replacements at his center: 'People come asking for it after seeing the results.' Dr. Firoz pointed out that while robotic surgery is gaining momentum in urban centres, wider adoption remains limited by cost and access—issues that need public-level intervention. Dr. Jayant called on insurers to step up: 'Insurance companies should cover robotic surgeries — which they are not doing.' There are also structural barriers. 'If you have a particular robot, you are restricted to that company,' Dr. Rajesh pointed out. added that the government should consider capping robotic costs. He said that, 'No individual doctor can own a robot. If we curtail the cost, we'll have better surgeons and better knees.' Way forward The panel was asked why a combined approach of exercise and nutraceuticals is superior to either alone. The panel concluded with a shared emphasis on a comprehensive, balanced approach to musculoskeletal health. Dr. Rajesh Bawari stressed that strong muscles and bones must work in tandem, while Dr. Firoz Ahmed urged patients to adopt holistic changes—spanning lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise—to delay or avoid surgery. Dr. Shubh Mehrotra emphasized moderation, advising against prolonged reliance on any single supplement without regular check-ups. For Dr. Jayant Arora, movement is medicine, crucial not only for joints but for preventing broader metabolic issues. Dr. Buddhadeb Chatterjee highlighted the value of traditional practices like yoga and meditation, encouraging people to reconnect with India's wellness heritage. Summing it up, Dr. Pranay Bhushan Pandey noted that sustaining joint health isn't just about effort—it's about the right effort, grounded in informed habits and adaptability.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
From Luck to Protocol: India's Emergency Care Gets Structure and the Golden Hour Its Due
New Delhi: Emergency care in India is no longer a waiting game. It's transforming into a fast, tech-enabled, and protocol-driven system that puts the patient at the center. From trained ER doctors managing critical trauma independently to AI-assisted triage and ambulance alerts triggering in-hospital prep, the change is sweeping. What once relied on luck and specialist availability is now structured, timely, and increasingly seamless even in tier 2 and 3 cities. The golden hour is finally getting the urgency it deserves, informed top experts in emergency medicine . Speaking at ETHealthworld's inaugural FutureMedX Summit during a compelling panel discussion titled 'Revolutionizing Emergency Care: Patient-Centric Approaches in Trauma and Critical Care', experts addressed how emergency care in India is evolving from a fragmented, protocol-driven system to a more integrated, tech-enabled, and patient-centric approach. The session saw participation from Dr. Deepak Agrawal , Professor, Neurosurgery , AIIMS New Delhi; Dr. (Prof) Ajay Bahl, Chairperson and HOD, Emergency Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital; Dr. Sushant Chhabra , Cluster Head, Emergency Medicine, Manipal Hospitals North-West Region; and Dr. Sachin Chaudhry from the Armed Forces Medical Services shared their views. Moderated by Vikas Dandekar , Editor (Pharma & Healthcare), The Economic Times. Opening the session by highlighting the radical transformation in India's emergency care landscape over the past decade , Dr Agrawal said, 'Earlier, emergency departments across India were staffed by Casualty Medical Officers (CMOs) who were not specifically trained in emergency medicine. They could be orthopedic surgeons, trauma surgeons, or anesthetists. The most significant shift has been the emergence of dedicated emergency medicine departments staffed by trained professionals." According to Dr Agrawal, emergency care has evolved from mere triage-based systems to more holistic, protocol-based interventions. 'Today, emergency physicians manage the ABCs—airway, breathing, circulation—and initiate diagnostics like CT scans, with specialists arriving later in the care chain. This has made emergency care more consistent and less dependent on chance,' he explained. Underlining the increasing use of AI and machine learning in emergency settings, he said, 'We've installed cameras that use object detection to track critical steps—like when intubation is done or when pulse oximetry is applied. This data generates key performance indicators on how long each life-saving step took, helping us refine our processes." Dr Chhabra elaborated on the structured emergency response system adopted by Manipal Hospitals. 'Our model is built on strong clinical leadership, integrated systems, and seamless transitions of care. We follow a 'closed ER and closed ICU' model, where patients are continuously managed by trained emergency medicine doctors from triage to discharge,' he said. He added that protocols like Code Stroke and Code STEMI—standardised across their network—enable quicker diagnoses and timely interventions. 'If a chest pain patient presents, we perform an ECG within five minutes and activate Code STEMI if necessary. This has drastically reduced door-to-balloon times and improved outcomes.' Manipal has also invested in robust pre-hospital care through the Manipal Ambulance Response Service (MARS). 'If our field paramedic suspects a stroke, the hospital is alerted in advance, enabling faster triage and imaging the moment the patient arrives,' he added. On the technology front, Dr Chhabra noted the adoption of AI-based triage in global emergency departments. 'In Canada, AI-driven systems now categorise patients into red, yellow, or green zones automatically. AI is also being used in history-taking to ensure no critical questions are missed, especially when physicians are cognitively overloaded.' Dr Chaudhry, speaking from his experience at military and civilian hospitals, emphasized triage as the cornerstone of emergency care. 'It begins not just at the hospital but also in ambulances. Integration between departments is crucial. Once myocardial infarction is ruled in, the patient is directly moved to cardiology,' he explained. He stressed that trained emergency staff—certified in ATLS, ALS, and BLS—manage patients from initial assessment through to transfer. 'With the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, we can access past patient data immediately. This cuts down delays in treatment, which in emergency medicine, could mean the difference between life and death,' he said. Backing up his points with concrete statistics, Dr. Chhabra said, 'In the Manipal network, we manage around 1,200 STEMI cases annually. Our Code STEMI protocol has helped reduce mortality by 30 per cent. We have also brought down door-to-balloon time by 20 to 30 minutes well below the international standard of 90 minutes even in tier 2 and tier 3 cities,' he noted. Dr Agrawal shared insights on neurotrauma care and how the system has evolved. 'Ten years ago, we were operating on two to three severe head injury cases daily. Today, that number has dropped to one. Better infrastructure, safer vehicles, and emergency awareness have helped,' he said. However, he pointed out that Delhi still lacks a world-class ambulance system. 'Interestingly, 50 per cent of our emergency neurotrauma cases are brought in by Delhi Police, who have a scoop-and-run directive. While they're not medically trained, they get patients to us in under 10 minutes, often faster than ambulances,' he noted. He recounted how AIIMS was once accused of shunting patients to smaller hospitals, leading to a Supreme Court petition by Safdarjung Hospital. 'We took a call that any patient requiring intubation or ventilation would not be referred out. We would treat them regardless of bed capacity. That's when we built a dedicated trauma center with half of our 250 beds reserved for neurotrauma,' he said. 'Someone has to take responsibility and we did," Dr Agrawal mentioned. The Regulatory Setback Toward the end, Dr. Chhabra raised a serious concern on the fluctuating recognition of emergency medicine as a specialty. 'In 2009, the specialty was recognised. In 2022, NMC mandated every medical college to have an Emergency Medicine department. But in 2023, emergency medicine was shockingly removed as an essential specialty. That's a huge setback,' he said. He advocated for national protocols from the Ministry of Health or NABH, especially for golden hour conditions like STEMI and head injuries. 'If doctors across India follow standardized treatment protocols—even if they eventually refer to the case—they could still stabilise the patient and save lives,' he emphasised. In closing, moderator Vikas Dandekar reflected on the international context. 'In Canada, a student with a fractured finger waited 12 hours in the ER without even a painkiller—because he was low priority. Compare that to India, where doctors operate under immense pressure but still manage to deliver care with empathy and speed. That's our strength,' he said. Dr. Agrawal echoed the sentiment. 'We're lucky here. In India, if you need an MRI, you can get it done immediately. In many Western countries, you'd need to go through multiple referrals. While that system has its merits, our accessibility—despite resource constraints—is a huge advantage.' The session concluded with a unanimous call to institutionalise emergency medicine, invest in smart technologies, and uphold patient-centered values that make India's evolving emergency care ecosystem not only efficient but also humane.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Ageing with Dignity: How Technology is Changing Elderly Care in India
New Delhi: As India moves closer to a major demographic shift—with the elderly population expected to cross 350 million in the coming decades, ETHealthworld's inaugural edition FutureMedX Summit hosted a powerful discussion on 'Leveraging Technology for Geriatric Well-being .' Healthcare leaders and policy experts came together to explore how tech can support elderly Indians in living healthier, more connected lives. Captain Neelam Deshwal, Chief Nursing Officer at Fortis Healthcare, shared how mobile apps are becoming lifelines for seniors.'Many apps now come with features like large fonts, voice assistants, medication reminders, and emergency alerts. Some even help older people stay socially connected,' she said. These tools don't just support health—they fight loneliness. 'Now, many seniors video call their families or join virtual groups from home. It helps them stay engaged and feel less isolated,' she added. Still, she acknowledged the challenges: 'Complicated language, annoying pop-ups, and lack of support in regional languages often make these apps hard to use. Privacy concerns are also a big issue.' Colonel Binu Sharma, Senior Director of Nursing at Max Healthcare, highlighted the inequality between urban and rural healthcare access.'In cities, we have teleconsultations, remote monitoring, and digital health dashboards. But rural India is still far behind,' she said. 'Eighty percent of our elderly live outside the metros. They need more than just access to tech—they need it to be truly usable and helpful," Sharma added. Dr. Prasun Chatterjee, Chief of Geriatric Medicine at Artemis Hospital, emphasized the mental health side of ageing. 'Geriatric mental health is often overlooked. Early signs of cognitive decline are frequently missed—even by doctors,' he noted. He shared how AIIMS, in partnership with DST, developed tools that assess mental well-being through voice and emotion analysis. 'We can now use telemedicine to diagnose, counsel, and offer therapy remotely,' he said. Empowering Caregivers with Digital Skills Captain Deshwal pointed out that elder care in India is still mostly family-driven. 'Caregivers need to be trained on how to use health apps and medical devices. If they don't understand the tools, the technology is useless,' she said. She suggested more hands-on training, easy demo videos, and guides tailored for caregivers. Col. Sharma added, 'Elderly care should be as simple as booking a cab—affordable, low-effort, and intuitive. We need to stop expecting bedridden seniors to travel across cities. Instead, tech should help healthcare reach them at home.' Making Elderly Tech Affordable While technology is advancing, affordability remains a big concern. 'Most health insurance policies stop covering people after age 75. Without financial support, the best tech solutions are out of reach for many,' Sharma warned. She called for more public-private partnerships to build cost-effective elder care systems. Dr. Chatterjee highlighted how predictive tech could reduce emergency visits. 'Imagine if a system could alert families when a senior needs care—before things get serious. It saves money, reduces stress, and avoids last-minute panic,' he said. All the experts agreed: India needs a public health roadmap for geriatric care. As the country ages, it's not just about living longer—it's about living better. The future of elder care lies not in hospital beds, but in homes filled with empathy, innovation, and accessible technology.
