Cancer is increasingly recognized as a major public health challenge. How significant is its impact today?

Cancer has emerged as one of the leading causes of death worldwide and in India. In a country with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, the absolute number of cancer cases is substantial. What makes this burden particularly concerning is that many cancers are preventable or treatable if detected early. Late presentation, lack of awareness, and lifestyle-related risk factors continue to drive high mortality, making cancer not only a medical issue but a public health priority.

Your professional journey is unique, combining military service with medicine. How has that experience shaped your approach to cancer care?

Training and serving as a paratrooper instills discipline, resilience, and the ability to perform under extreme physical and mental pressure. Military medicine demands precision, teamwork, and rapid decision-making—qualities that translate directly into surgical oncology. Exposure to high-risk environments and leadership roles strengthens accountability and calmness, which are essential when dealing with complex cancer surgeries and emotionally challenging patient care. The soldier’s mindset reinforces the commitment to duty, perseverance, and service to humanity.

What exactly is cancer, and why can it develop in almost any part of the body?

Cancer originates from the body’s own cells when they lose normal regulatory control and begin to divide uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can invade nearby tissues or spread to distant organs. Since every organ in the body is composed of cells, cancer can arise virtually anywhere. This is why cancer is not a single disease but a diverse group of diseases, each with distinct behavior, prognosis, and treatment strategies.

What are the most common risk factors for cancer, especially in the Indian population?

Cancer is multifactorial. In India, tobacco use—both smoking and chewing—is one of the most significant contributors, particularly to oral, throat, and lung cancers. Alcohol consumption, air pollution, obesity, physical inactivity, and poor dietary habits also increase risk. Certain infections, such as Hepatitis B and C or Human Papillomavirus, are known causes of liver and cervical cancers respectively. Genetic predisposition plays a role in some cancers, but lifestyle and environmental factors remain dominant contributors.

Can lifestyle changes genuinely reduce the risk of developing cancer?

Yes, lifestyle modification can significantly reduce cancer risk. Avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol, maintaining a healthy body weight, engaging in regular physical activity, eating a balanced diet, and ensuring adequate sleep all strengthen immunity and reduce cancer incidence. While genetic factors are beyond control, lifestyle choices are powerful tools for prevention and long-term health.

What early warning signs or symptoms should people be vigilant about?

Any unexplained bleeding—from the mouth, nose, urine, or stools—should never be ignored. Persistent lumps or swellings in the breast, neck, armpit, or groin require prompt evaluation. Sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, prolonged fatigue, or unexplained pain are also warning signs. Awareness of one’s own body and early medical consultation can lead to timely diagnosis and improved outcomes.

How important is early detection, and what screening tests are advisable?

Early detection dramatically improves survival rates. Cancers identified at early stages are often curable. Screening tests such as Pap smears for cervical cancer and mammography for breast cancer are particularly valuable. Ultrasound examinations can help detect certain abdominal cancers. Advanced imaging techniques like PET scans are primarily used for staging rather than routine screening due to cost and limited applicability.

There are many myths surrounding cancer. Which misconceptions need to be corrected?

A common myth is that sugar causes or “feeds” cancer. In reality, all cells—healthy and cancerous—require sugar for energy; sugar itself does not cause cancer. Another misconception is that only smokers develop cancer, whereas non-smokers can also develop cancer due to genetic, infectious, or environmental factors. Such myths can delay diagnosis and distract from genuine preventive measures.

How has cancer treatment evolved, particularly in surgical oncology and technology?

Advances in surgical techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic surgery, have improved precision and recovery in selected cases. However, these technologies are not suitable for all cancers, especially large or advanced tumors where open surgery remains essential. Artificial intelligence and advanced imaging assist in diagnosis and planning, but the surgeon’s expertise, judgment, and hands-on skill remain irreplaceable.

Can cancer be cured, and what is the most important message for the public?

Many cancers are curable when detected early. Early-stage cancers respond well to treatment, while advanced-stage cancers are often managed to prolong life and improve quality of life rather than cure. The most important message is prevention and awareness: avoid tobacco, limit alcohol, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, sleep adequately, and seek medical evaluation early. A disciplined lifestyle—much like military training—can be the strongest defense against cancer.

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After finishing the book, I found myself pondering how best to categorize it. Is it a biography of a doctor, a narrative on innovations in a specific medical field, or an exploration of the scientific advancements within a specialized medical discipline. In truth, the book is all of these things and more, perhaps even a reflection of Dr. Sangwan’s own multifaceted personality—compassionate doctor, problem solver, and mentor to many. The story isn’t just about Dr. Sangwan, but also about his deep-seated curiosity—a desire to experience what Richard Feynman famously described as “the pleasure of finding things out.” This book showcases his ability to turn those curious explorations into sustainable solutions that benefit many. First and foremost, I must commend Rajroshan for the remarkable job After finishing the book, I found myself pondering how best to categorize it.

Is it a biography of a doctor, a narrative on innovations in a specific medical field, or an exploration of the scientific advancements within a specialized medical discipline. In truth, the book is all of these things and more, perhaps even a reflection of Dr. Sangwan’s own multifaceted personality—compassionate doctor, problem solver, and mentor to many. The story isn’t just about Dr. Sangwan, but also about his deep-seated curiosity—a desire to experience what Richard Feynman famously described as “the pleasure of finding things out.” This book showcases his ability to turn those curious explorations into sustainable solutions that benefit many. First and foremost, I must commend Rajroshan for the remarkable job in making the story accessible and engaging. I couldn’t put the book down—reading it from cover to cover with an eagerness to discover what was next. The characters within are so vividly portrayed that I could almost imagine meeting them in real life.

For anyone with a curious mind, this book stands as a testament to the passion and joy of a village boy’s journey to becoming part of the world’s leading scientific minds. A big part of his success stems from staying grounded and true to the purpose of his profession.

At the same time, the book also tells the story of a nascent scientific discipline within a growing, yet often underappreciating, country. These early examples of innovation form the foundation upon which future generations can stand, as the famous adage goes: “on the shoulders of giants.”

The book reminded me of Seema Singh’s book on Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, which I have recommended to many as a story of the rise of the biotech industry in India. Similarly, Indian ophthalmology boasts world-class institutions like Aravind Eye Care and LVPEI. After reading this book, one can truly understand why they are considered great. I highly recommend this book to anyone who believes in solving problems with limited resources, driven by a sincere and honest pursuit of progress.

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Vaccination programs are among the most effective public health interventions, significantly reducing child mortality and curbing the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccines work by stimulating the body’s immune system to build protection against pathogens, thereby lowering the risk of infection and severe illness. Immunization stands as a global health success story—according to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccines prevent an estimated 3.5 to 5 million deaths annually from diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, and measles. Beyond individual protection, widespread vaccination fosters herd immunity, safeguarding vulnerable populations who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons. As a cornerstone of primary health care, immunization is not only a fundamental human right but also one of the most cost-effective health investments.

However, sustaining high vaccination coverage is critical to preventing disease resurgence and addressing emerging health threats. Despite these successes, recent funding cuts and rising vaccine skepticism threaten to undermine decades of progress. For instance, the United States has significantly reduced its aid programs, and the United Kingdom is considering similar funding reductions. These cuts could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for low-income regions that rely heavily on external support. Many global vaccination programs, including those supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance—a public-private global health partnership aimed at increasing immunization access in low-income countries—are now facing significant funding shortfalls.

Developing countries, including India, rely heavily on financial support from organizations such as Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF for vaccine procurement and immunization campaigns. However, wealthy nations have reduced their contributions to global vaccination efforts. For example, the UK has cut aid to Gavi and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which has directly impacted vaccine distribution in countries like India. Global economic challenges, including the post-COVID-19 slowdown, the Ukraine war, and rising inflation, have further strained foreign aid budgets. As a result, more funds are being diverted toward pandemic preparedness rather than routine immunization.

Low-income countries often face significant hurdles in vaccine procurement and distribution. India, in particular, has a dual role: protecting its own population while serving as a global vaccine supplier. India is a global leader in vaccine production, home to major manufacturers like the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech. The country also runs one of the world’s largest immunization programs, Mission Indradhanush, which covers millions of children and pregnant women. However, funding constraints may hinder its expansion. Although India’s National Health Policy 2017 aims to increase public health spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2025, the 2024-25 budget allocated only about 2.1% of GDP to health, which is lower than many other countries.

India’s role as a global vaccine hub is undeniable, but the pace of new vaccine development is slow due to limited research and development (R&D) funding. Challenges such as funding shortages, vaccine hesitancy, and logistical issues could impede disease control efforts. Reduced global funding affects India’s ability to procure vaccines for diseases like polio and measles, especially in remote regions. Developing a new vaccine is a costly endeavor, ranging from 100 million to 500 million per vaccine, and India’s current funding for vaccine R&D is insufficient. This lack of funding translates to fewer vaccine outreach programs and delays in the rollout of new vaccines, such as those for HPV (to prevent cervical cancer), dengue, and tuberculosis (TB).

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has also faced funding reductions, impacting India’s polio surveillance efforts. Additionally, India is grappling with rising cases of dengue and malaria, exacerbated by climate change. While Dengvaxia, a dengue vaccine, exists, its use is limited. Emerging threats, such as the mpox (monkeypox) outbreak, further underscore the need for robust vaccination campaigns. Although India has reported low mpox cases, ongoing surveillance is critical given the global spread of the disease.

The high cost of vaccines often results in lower coverage among low-income populations, increasing the risk of outbreaks for diseases such as measles, rubella, and diphtheria. This raises a critical question: Can India sustain its global vaccine supply amidst funding cuts and geopolitical challenges?

To address these challenges, several strategies can be considered. Private companies like the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech may require government subsidies to scale up vaccine production. Long-term funding agreements with organizations such as WHO, Gavi, and UNICEF could ensure vaccine affordability. Additionally, tapping into corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding from Indian pharmaceutical giants could provide a sustainable financial model. For example, Gavi’s partnership with African nations to ensure polio vaccine affordability could serve as a blueprint for India’s efforts to combat measles and HPV.

Improving cold chain logistics is another critical area. India’s “eVIN” (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network) has already enhanced vaccine tracking and cold storage in rural areas, but further investments are needed. Introducing new vaccines into national programs, such as government-funded HPV and dengue vaccines, could help eliminate these diseases.

While India faces significant challenges in sustaining its vaccination programs, strategic investments, international collaborations, and innovative funding mechanisms can help mitigate the impact of global aid cuts. By addressing these issues, India can continue to protect its population and maintain its vital role as a global vaccine supplier.

Author’s biography

Akhter Rasool is a veterinarian and researcher.

The post Global Aid Cuts and India’s Vaccination Challenges appeared first on InnoHEALTH magazine.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digitalization, where every online interaction leaves behind a trail of personal information, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture. Our personal data, a highly sought-after asset in the digital era, is constantly in demand by various entities. However, within this frenzy of data collection lies an exceptionally intimate and personal treasure trove – our health data. As we embark on an innovative journey through India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, it becomes imperative for healthcare professionals to comprehend how this legislation may safeguard our most invaluable possession: our health data.

The Paradigm Shift:

Close your eyes for a moment and envision this scenario: you visit a doctor for a routine check-up, sharing your medical history, undergoing tests, and receiving a diagnosis. But have you ever paused to ponder what happens to that information once you leave the doctor’s office? In many instances, it transforms into a digital fragment, residing in a vast repository accessible to various parties. It could be used for research, become a tool for insurance companies, or, in the worst-case scenario, fall prey to malicious data breaches. Often, we place our trust in healthcare providers, assuming they will protect this sensitive information. But is trust alone sufficient in these turbulent digital waters?

Another distressing facet of this clandestine industry is the unauthorized access to health data by unscrupulous actors.

Data Protection Bill 2023: A Beacon of Hope:

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 in India emerges as a beacon of hope in our mission to preserve the sanctity of our health data. Let’s embark on an enlightening journey to explore some of its key provisions and their potential impact on our lives:

1. Personal Consent: This legislation stipulates that personal data can only be processed for lawful purposes with explicit consent from the individual. In simpler terms, your health data remains concealed from prying eyes unless you choose to disclose it. This provision empowers you with newfound control over your data.
2. Data Accuracy and Security: The Bill places the responsibility on data fiduciaries, those who collect and process data, to maintain the integrity of the data, ensuring its security and deletion once its intended purpose is fulfilled. It establishes a fundamental principle: the safeguarding of your health data is paramount.
3. Individual Rights: Within this framework, you are granted the right to access information about how your data is being processed, the ability to correct inaccuracies, and a mechanism to address concerns. This provision fosters a culture of transparency and accountability, putting you in charge of your health data’s fate.
4. Cross-Border Data Transfer: In a world where data flows across borders rapidly, the Bill introduces regulations governing the transfer of personal data beyond India’s shores. This safeguard ensures that your health data doesn’t inadvertently end up in countries lacking robust data protection standards.
5. Data Breach Reporting: In the unfortunate event of a data breach that could jeopardize your well-being, data fiduciaries are obligated to report it to the Data Protection Board of India and directly inform you. This measure ensures timely awareness and empowers you to take corrective action.

Why Does it Matter?

Our health data, a digital reflection of our most private and intimate aspects, holds the potential to revolutionize medical research, enable personalized therapy, and potentially save lives. However, this promise is not without risks, especially in a society where data has become a valuable commodity. The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 acts as a formidable deterrent against the latent threats of health data misuse and breaches.

Unmasking the Shadows: Crimes in Health Data Industry in India

A formidable industry has thrived in the shadows of the digital world, operating away from the public eye. This shadowy domain revolves around the illicit exchange and exploitation of health data, a sector worth billions of dollars. It thrives on the unauthorized acquisition of individuals’ medical information, often without their knowledge.

For too long, India’s health data industry has functioned as a clandestine network. It’s a hidden realm where people’s private lives, medical conditions, treatments, and vulnerabilities are commodified and auctioned off to the highest bidder. This profession is rife with a range of undisclosed crimes, including data theft, sales, unauthorized access, and extortion.

One glaring example of these crimes involves the widespread sale of health data to insurance companies. Imagine a scenario where an individual, dealing with a severe illness, confides in their healthcare provider. Little do they know that this information could end up in the hands of insurance companies looking to deny coverage or inflate premiums. This surreptitious trade in health data not only jeopardizes individuals’ financial well-being but also erodes the trust placed in the healthcare system.

Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 has the potential to shine a spotlight on this clandestine business, exposing its wrongdoings and guaranteeing the utmost respect and protection for individuals’ health data.

Another distressing facet of this clandestine industry is the unauthorized access to health data by unscrupulous actors. Medical records, often stored in digital repositories, become prime targets for hackers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in security systems. These cybercriminals gain access to sensitive patient information, which can be used for identity theft, fraudulent insurance claims, or even sold on the black market.

Furthermore, healthcare institutions themselves are not immune to these crimes. Incidents of data breaches within hospitals and clinics are alarmingly common. Patient records, filled with personal identifiers, become the currency of the illicit health data trade. In many cases, these breaches go undisclosed, leaving patients unaware of the compromise of their personal information.

In a world where our health data is digitized and shared, the need for robust data protection measures becomes undeniable. This is precisely where the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 in India steps in as an agent of change. It has the potential to expose the shadowy actors in the health data industry, bringing them to justice and ensuring the privacy and dignity of individuals’ health data.

One of the key provisions of the Bill is its stringent stance on data breaches. It mandates that data fiduciaries promptly report breaches to the Data Protection Board of India and the affected individuals. This requirement ensures transparency and accountability in the event of a breach, making it significantly more challenging for wrongdoers to operate covertly.

In conclusion, India’s health data industry, shrouded in secrecy, has thrived for too long on the vulnerabilities of individuals and the absence of robust data protection measures. The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 has the potential to shine a spotlight on this clandestine business, exposing its wrongdoings and guaranteeing the utmost respect and protection for individuals’ health data. As custodians of health information, healthcare professionals must play a pivotal role in advocating for data privacy and urging the implementation of the Bill’s requirements. In doing so, we can pave the way for India’s genuine progress, where our most personal data is safeguarded, and the shadows of the health data industry are dispelled by the light of transparency and accountability. This is how India can truly thrive as a developed nation while preserving the well-being and dignity of its people.

“Composed by: Sagar Pandya is a highly accomplished professional with a Master’s degree in Software Technology and a decade long experience in the software industry, working with renowned multinational corporations, gaining expertise in latest technologies. He is also an author, known for his book “Tales of the Jungle: Fables of Indian Animals and Morals.”

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Celebrated by India

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Prof. Andres Metspalu is the President of the Estonian Human Genetics Society and a member of the Steering Committee of the Genomics Center of Excellence, as well as the Human Genetics Society Steering Committee of the Human Genome Organization, American Human Genetics Society, and ScanBalt Academy. He was the Founder and Chairman of Asper Biotech Ltd. in Tartu. In 2017, he was awarded the Baltic Assembly Prize for Science in recognition of “his innovative, diverse and lasting contribution to gene technology and molecular diagnostic”.

Dr. Jaanus Pikani is the Chairman of the Tartu Biotechnology Park and board member of a number of life science and health care companies. He is also the Chairman of ScanBalt, a biotech meta-cluster organization in ScanBalt BioRegion, composed of the health and bio-economy communities in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Northern Germany, Northern Netherlands and North-Western Russia with more than 60 universities and over 3000 companies active in the region.

H. E. Katrin Kivi is the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to India & concurrently accredited to Singapore, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal and Sri Lanka. She also served as the Estonian Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Ambassador of Estonia to Denmark and worked with the Estonian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She also served as Director for Asia, ASEM and ASEAN, Deputy Head of Mission in the Estonian Embassy in France, Deputy Permanent Representative of Estonia to UNESCO in Paris and Director for EU General Affairs in Tallinn.

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I dare to make a bold statement that COVID-19 pandemic is the most clamorous, most catastrophic and the most defining aeon of our lifetime. I am sure that most of us must have never witnessed anything else till date which has happened with such speed – from the end of December 2019, when the first cases in China were reported, to the start of May 2020, when an approximate of one-third of the world’s population is locked inside their homes.

This crisis surely is one of its kind and has no precedent to it – there are no rulebooks, no standards that tell governments what to do; how to shut down economies; when to re-open; and a how to exit strategy. We cannot deny the fact that this virus is a cross-species transmission (CST), also called interspecies transmission – it has jumped from its animal host to humans; it is pernicious as it seems to find new ways to hide itself; and now that we can be asymptomatic and yet be a carrier of infection is really deadly and devastating.

But what we should really be thinking about amidst this lockdown, where we all are trying to adapt to the “new normal”, is that, what are the challenges that our healthcare system is facing today; what are some of the most important innovations our healthcare industry needs to battle against this pandemic.

To address this situation, we as InnovatioCuris Foundation of Healthcare & Excellence (ICFHE) decided to bring some industry experts on a single platform to understand from them, what our healthcare system’s need of the hour is. As the world is being digitally delivered, we organised a first of its kind virtual ICInnovatorCLUB meeting on Saturday 2nd May.

Welcoming all the experts on board was Dr V K Singh, MD of InnovatioCuris (IC), quickly walked us through the idea behind this virtual platform and how IC is trying to do its bit in the fight against this pandemic. Dr Hem Chandra Pandey who is the vice chancellor of Uttarakhand Medical Education University marked the opening of the session and shared his views on how before this pandemic the public health issues were mostly being addressed by the government hospitals, but in this scenario, the government and private hospitals have come together to face and deal with this situation and the public health activities are being jointly carried out by both.

Dr Hem Chandra also shared that how immense is the role of the private hospitals in the state of Uttrakhand that is driving the healthcare services in collaboration with its research institutes and government hospitals.

Highlighting the issues of diagnostic challenges was with us the COO of Oncquest Laboratories, Dr Ravi Gaur. On a lighter note and to make us understand the depth of this distressful situation, Dr Gaur said “the smallest, tiniest strand of RNA (virus) has brought the species humankind to its knees. But we humans have pulled through the crisis earlier, and will pull through this.” In the past, humans have faced two major infectious diseases, TB and HIV which infect every possible organ and now, we are struggling with COVID-19, again a disease which is infectious and is infecting every possible organ in the human body. As a result, the industry is facing a lot of challenges in the diagnosis and understanding of disease progression .Identification of the COVID-19 positive patients and the technology being used to do this diagnosis is mostly RT-PCR in India and not rapid testing. The serology and antibody assay using CLIA, ELISA and rapid cards will play a role in surveillance and understanding epidemiology.

Some of the biggest challenges in testing/diagnosing the current situation are:

• Identification of suspected cases and faster diagnosis
• Continuous revision of testing strategies
• Augmenting the testing capacity Limited
• Availability of infrastructure (like Biosafety 2-3 standards etc)
• Limited NABL accredited diagnostic labs – Need to fast track accreditation
• Limited Skilled workforce
• Safety of manpower
• Limited resources like PPEs – innovators stepped up and helped with some innovative models and was made available with the help of government interventions, but costs are high
• Type of sample collection nasopharyngeal / oropharyngeal /buccal)
  When to collect samples – time of sample collection (affects the accuracy of the diagnosis)
• Storage and transportation of the samples ( spl Viral transport media required and cold chain needs to be maintained )
• Availability of ICMR approved testing kits
• Logistic and supply chain disruption
• Scared Manpower and need for strong motivation and assurance
• Health being a state subject there is some disconnect and a lack of alignment on goals between the centre and the states. quality validation
• Catering to India’s 1.3 billion population is a huge task and calls for a smoother operational mechanism for the success of this collaborative approach.
• State governments need to step up measures and ensure a hurdle-free procedure and a safe environment for the medical and testing workforce.

Appreciating the level of surveillance that countries like India are able to achieve at this time, Dr Gaur also highlighted the importance and appreciated the support & alertness being extended by the government towards the capacity building and the steps being taken to overcome many of these challenges ,but a lot needs to be done still and we have ensure that the testing is available to the last man out there on the post and at an affordable cost. Dr Gaur added that COVID 19 Virus has exposed the fragility and frailty of the human race. What matters today is speed and accuracy of the test report .The key to success is to deliver the report in 4-6 hours. There is a strong need to have a near patient and rapid but very accurate test. As Covid19, has become pandemic, there is an urgent need to invest more in developing state -of -art-laboratories equipped with latest technologies and qualified skilled force. Indian Government has done a very commendable work but to foster development a strong collaboration between government managed labs and private labs is the need of the hour. Both public and private entities have their limitations, but a combined effort can and will definitely make a huge difference.

According to Dr Nagendra Swamy who is the Principal Coordinator of Federation of Healthcare Associations, Karnataka; there are approximately 16,00,000 beds in India out of which 8,00,000 are with the public health sector including government hospitals, armed forces etc. Another 8,00,000 are with organised private sector where the corporate hospitals have 62,000 published beds only and 1,00,000 beds available with large and tertiary care hospitals and moving to private medical colleges we have around 2,00,000 beds in this segment. The balance 4,00,000 beds in private healthcare that is virtually handling the common class and serving as the backbone of the Indian healthcare. While explaining how the small and medium sized hospitals are overlooked because of lack of branding and structure of positioning, he also threw the light on the role of such hospitals during the pandemic situations like the one we are in now.

As the bigger corporations are available only in metropolitan or tier I or tier II cities, but when the pandemic happens it happens everywhere and is not restricted to these major cities.We can’t defy the importance of the role these small and medium sized hospitals are playing to tackle the current situation as they are available in the nook and corners of the country.

Complementing the efforts and guidelines rolled out by MOHFW and ICMR to segregate the hospitals into COVID and non-COVID hospitals so that all the other healthcare facilities are also available to the patients without any risks of cross contamination with coronavirus.

Dr Swamy also shared his concern about the financial and disease burden challenges that such hospitals are facing today, and highlighted how these small and mid sized hospitals are tirelessly helping to fight this difficult situation by serving people with non-covid health issues keeping in mind the safety of all.

Pouring her heart out and further highlighting the challenges being faced by any mid sized hospitals today was Ms Upasana Arora who is the Director of Yashoda Hospital, Kaushambi and also holds the chair of Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC). Calling out to the industry experts, Ms Arora said that the need of the hour post this pandemic is to take into consideration the amendments in the policies in regard to the conduct of any hospital. She also emphasised on how all the safety measures like wearing masks, PPE etc should be considered as a universal precaution.

Moving ahead on the path of analysing the challenges that the healthcare industry is facing, Dr S K Gupta, Director of Cardiology & Medicine, JWM Global Hospital & Research Centre India, talked about one of the most important and least talked aspects to this dreadful situation that is trauma and anxiety that the health workers and people are facing today.

Putting it together, Dr Gupta told that there are three dimensional aspects to one’s well being, that is Spirit, Body and Mind.

Whether we talk about insomnia, strange dreams, or even too much sleep, all are types of sleep disturbances that are a part of our body’s response to trauma and anxiety.

“Heal thy self” and “self-awareness” are the key to good health that we all need to take care of. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques are proven to improve mood and sleep quality by enhancing the control over the body’s focus and arousal system as well as in managing anxiety and concerns.

Stress, in such a situation is quite normal and can be healthy (as it motivates one to take necessary actions), but too much sustained stress is not. High and unregulated levels of stress can have various negative consequences on the brain, immunity and also on the vascular system of the body, leading to blood sugar imbalances, high blood pressure, impaired immunity and inflammatory responses – the very precise opposite of what we need to fight the potential impact from this COVID-19 exposure.

Good sleep, healthy diet, good sleep and meditation are important practices to be taken into consideration. Three dimensional healthy lifestyle can do wonders and everyone should try to follow it, irrespective of one being at home, in a hospital or anywhere else.

Another interesting picture of challenges being faced by the private hospitals was painted by Dr Param Hans Mishra who is the current Group CEO of Kailash hospital.

It is really sad that we all are struggling with such a paradoxical setting today, where doctors who are the front line protectors/fighters have their own protection at the highest risks, the healthcare staff who are saving millions of lives and families have their own lives and families in the most vulnerable zone. And to top all this, is the shortage of resources and finances to serve these healthcare workers, organisations and ecosystems. It is a real challenge for the private sector as the reduction in the number of non-covid treatments/surgeries (due to fear of catching cross infection) leads to reduction in cash flow and high number of covid treatments demands more and more per patient inputs (financial as well as human resource).

Trying to find solutions to some of the above challenges, ICFHE under the umbrella of Ministry of Human Resource & Development (MHRD) organised two virtual national level hackathons (Fight Corona IDEAthon and MHRD Mega Online Challenge – SAMADHAN) in the months of March and April to call upon the young innovators.

Fight Corona IDEAthon was organised from March 27-29, 2020 by ICFHE under the aegis of the Ministry of Human Resource Development Innovation Cell, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and FORGE Accelerator. It was a national level 48 hour virtual/online ideation hackathon that extended to 72 hours due to overwhelming response, to discover ideas from thousands of innovators, researchers, scientists, and educators from across India. More than 5400 teams and 300 mentors joined hands as a true community during these uncertain and challenging times to discover solutions that can help the nation rise as one in the fight against COVID-19.

There were nine IDEAthon winners, three in each track of Students, Educators & Researchers and Professionals & Startups. The winners were awarded the cash prizes and also incubation grants upto 40 lakhs. There were also nine motivational cash prizes (three in each category) given out to motivate some of the best ideas from around the country.

Standing tall on a highly impactful Fight Corona IDEAthon, the Ministry of Human Resources & Development, in collaboration with AICTE and InnovatioCuris Foundation of Healthcare & Excellence (ICFHE), again hosted a nation-wide mega online challenge SAMADHAN under two tracks- Track 1: Ideate-Simulate-Win and Track 2: Validate-Pitch-Deploy. Under the SAMADHAN challenge there were three categories namely: student innovators, researchers & educators and startups to share their ideas to solve the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic. The SAMADHAN challenge was a 14 days long hackathon from 14th to 25th April 2020, which saw more than 3200 teams participate from all over India.

From these hackathons, our healthcare ecosystem has got some bright solutions catering to some of the challenges posed by this pandemic.

Through an interactive discussion, Tarak Nagarajan from Abhaytech, Muthu Vangaliappan from Katomaran Technologies and Business Solutions and Dr Sachin Sharma from AI for good joined us and shared their personal experiences and promising solutions that they have developed to fight against this crisis.

Working on promising solutions like:

1. disposable/ reusable lung and heart monitors that can be worn at home and only require a smartphone which will help to reduce the burden for hospital based monitoring and the bottleneck of available hospital beds.As most of the deaths are occurring due to comorbidity.The AI Algorithm developed by Abhayatech can act as a temporary doctor and constantly help in monitoring the patients and help ease the burden on doctors.
2. autonomous mobile UV-C robot. It’s a AI enabled robot that can be used to sanitize hospitals, offices, campuses etc. It could be useful in hospital settings where the room has to be sanitized after each and every patient like MRI room or CT scan room etc.
3. early detection of COVID-19 using CT scan images and machine learning techniques.

We hope that our Indian healthcare ecosystem will soon be able to implement such innovative solutions to cater some of the challenges mentioned by the experts and also that there will be more and more young innovators out there who are eager to help the community in this time of crisis.

Trying to fast forward this implementation process, ICFHE has taken a step towards creating a Hospital Innovation Screening Committee (HSIC) to get the innovations evaluated and tested on ground to expedite the validation process. So that any innovator who wishes to get their innovations evaluated by the thought leaders of the industry can get a platform.

As it’s said, every crisis is an opportunity in disguise. So let’s try to grab this opportunity and stand together to fight against this and any such pandemic in future.

Authored by Parthvee Jain, Editor, InnovatioCuris

The post The New Normal: Analysis of challenges posed by COVID-19 on Indian Healthcare Industry appeared first on InnoHEALTH magazine.

Executive summary

InnoBRIDGE is an initiative of ​InnovatioCuris (IC) along with Swedish partners, Swecare and Business Region Gothenburg, ​where the primary aim is to create a seamless access platform for the Indian healthcare stakeholders to the Swedish healthcare stakeholders, to strengthen healthcare collaboration between Indian healthcare organizations and the Swedish organizations and showcase the best of Swedish healthcare to the Indian delegates.

Innovation unit in Hospitals

The hospitals that we visited had an innovation unit running over ten years and have formalized the innovation process. From sourcing of unmet needs from stakeholders (patients, care providers etc) to running of an innovation marathon. Such an intervention can be beneficial for hospitals in India and a collaboration can be sought from interested Swedish hospitals to launch such trainings and innovation programs.

Developing healthcare AI

Through the intervention of innovation units in hospitals and county level regional initiatives, Swedish agencies are evolving the understanding of developing AI solutions. With possibilities to pay with data to develop AI tools, hands-on experiments about trying latest AI tools to build an informative position are some of the considerations already being made at the Swedish end. There is a natural synergy between India and Sweden on the topic of AI^[1]. India can offer data to build AI and can gain from the Swedish expertise of processes and considerations to be made for collecting and refining data. These synergies were discussed at the India Nordic Seminar by stakeholders in detail from both sides.

New Innovation Model of large private companies to incubate SMEs

A path breaking innovation model, which is experimented by AstraZeneca in form of AZ Bioventures at their Gothenborg site was a key showcase of the visit. Home to some 30 SMEs for last 5 years, the model has already resulted in 5 Initial Public Offers to some billion dollar successes. The model was discussed in last year’s Davos Summit^[2] and now actively being taken up by other corporates like ABB, Volvo in Sweden and AkzoNobel in Netherlands as an inspiration to unlock innovation in the ecosystem.

Also Read:
Sweden-India Collaboration in Health Sector
Indo-Swedish Collaboration

Day 1

Figure 1 - Indian delegation with Swecare members at H2 Health Hub

The visit started with a visit to H2 Health Hub in Stockholm which is a coworking space where Nordic Health Tech startups can connect, collaborate and share their innovations. Currently, there are 45 startups representing 26 countries in this space. The Indian delegation met representatives from the Swedish Ministry of Health, Swecare, SMEs and startups comprising of medical technologies, wellness, Health IT, mental health, pharmaceutical, radiology solutions, etc. The Sweden Ministry of Health representative shared his views on how Sweden is facilitating cross-border collaboration with India by using innovation to increase social impact such as the 10-years MoU signed between Sweden and AIIMS Jodhpur aimed at learning and exchanging best practices. The discussion also pointed out the India-Sweden collaborative industrial research and development program between Vinnova (Swedish government agency) and GITA (executing organization under the Department of Science and Technology, India). The collaboration aims at innovation projects linked to addressing global challenges such as climate change and sustainable developments.

Figure 2 - Visit to EMPE diagnostics at Karolinska Institute Campus

The Indian delegates got an opportunity to go around the Karolinska Institute (KI), Sweden’s largest medical university, and academic research center. Since 1901, the Nobel Assembly at KI has selected the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine. The prime institute has university hospital, science park and innovation center. EMPE diagnostics which has background from KI and in collaboration with KI researchers presented their rapid diagnostic solution for Tuberculosis (Tb). The test uses DNA sequencing which can correctly identify virus or bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance within 2 hrs. India has around 86,000 new cases of Tb per day and 1.7 billion people at risk. Considering these statistics, EMPE through InnovatioCuris (IC) are looking forward to venture into the Indian market.

Next was a visit to Karolinska Hospital and its Innovation Unit which has collaboration with 8 EU countries. The Region Stockholm has a policy for innovation i.e. every organization should have an innovation center. The Innovation Center is a great model which encourage and engage all stakeholders, such as health professionals, patients, medical researchers and industrial partners to address unmet needs in hospital services through innovation. The innovation activities happen in day-to-day work at all levels and across each department. The center helps identify needs, define areas for innovation and develop the best solution. There is also a certification course for innovation leaders and managers. The center showcased project I-AID (Integrated AI Diagnostics) which aims to accelerate the development and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare initially focusing on medical imaging and physiology. This is a learning for Indian healthcare sector wherein the hospitals foster innovation in their own setting by creating an environment where ideas can become reality.

Figure 3 - Indian delegation appreciating the serene and modern setting of Karolinska University Hospital

A part of the Indian delegation also visited the Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (SBU). Health Technology Assessment (HTA) involves systematic independent assessment of a method, including side-effects, cost-effectiveness, and ethical implications. SBU is one of the oldest organizations in the field of HTA and expressed interest in collaborating with India.

Figure 4 - Indian delegation members with SBU Staff, Sophie Werko

Day 2

The second day was in Uppsala, the fourth largest city in Sweden. Uppsala University is the oldest university in Sweden. The visit started with Region Uppsala where the delegation was welcomed by the chairman of the board, Vivianne Macdisi. Region Uppsala Innovation has a R&D department for 2 hospitals, primary care centers, and mobile units. The ideas from employees, patients, and relatives are collected by each hospital unit’s idea coordinator. The ideas are assessed and approved by idea counsel. The feedback on the idea is conveyed to the ideator. Region Uppsala innovation also organizes a workshop called innovation race where companies and innovators such as employees generate ideas and work together towards the idea.

The county also has Uppsala Innovation Center (UIC) which is the world’s fourth-best university-affiliated business incubator. UIC offers business development programs and supports innovative startups and growth companies to commercialize, scale-up and access the international market. UIC provides expert help, awareness and knowledge for companies, and a national platform to connect the best companies.

Figure 5 - Dr V K Singh from Indian delegation presented his healthcare innovation book to the chairman of Swecare board and Uppsala regional council, Ms Vivianne Macdisi

Day 3

The delegation had the opportunity to attend e-health matchmaking event, Vitalis which is the largest eHealth event in Scandinavian. Vitalis themes included Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Decision support, medical imaging, home care, elderly care, remote health care, and robotics.

The Business Region Gothenburg and Swecare organized a special seminar ‘AI and Collaborations in AI and Innovation’^[3]. The keynote speech was given by Linda Swirtun, program manager of Vinnova, Sweden’s government agency for innovation. Vinnova funds healthcare/life sciences innovation projects and research by collaborating internationally. Under the Swedish- Indian Innovation Partnership, the Swedish companies can collaborate with companies in India in joint research and innovation projects to address global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development. The corporate-driven collaborations can be in the area of smart cities and clean technologies, digitalization, and IoT.

Figure 6 - Linda Swirtun sharing the first keynote about India Sweden Collaboration

The panel discussions had representatives from the Nordic-Baltic region and India. The first panel focused on the transnational collaborations between the two regions and its challenges. Rohini Pimple, RICH, Dr V K Singh, InnovatioCuris,  Dr Sandeep Bhalla, PHFI, Kingshuk Poddar, Medivalley Incubator represented the Indian side. Lars Lindskold, Swelife AI Institute, Iris Ohrn, Business Region Gothenburg, Jaanus Pikani, Scanbalt Forum and Magnus Bjorsne, AZ BioVenturehub represented the Nordic Baltic side. The session was moderated by Shampa Bari of Swecare. The Indian panelist discussed how the current government has been very supportive and driving innovation in all sectors. There have been changes in policies and regulations which has led to a smooth process for collaborations. India has huge data which can be used to develop AI tools by countries like Sweden. Also, knowledge sharing between the regions could be beneficial. The panelist further discussed the unmet needs, and public-private partnership models working in India. The research cluster of India shared the opportunities of life sciences. The government incubation center shared how it can be a soft-landing spot for Nordic-Baltic companies for medical devices. The representative from the Public Health Foundation of India discussed the challenges in public health in India and how capacity building can be done at scale. The Nordic-Baltic panelist emphasized on the various technologies which are relevant for India. In addition, the representative from Business Region Gothenburg stated that it is easier to do research collaboration – to test and validate one’s product in Sweden as compared to others. Furthermore, the Nordic/Baltic region has a strong IP protection regime. Therefore, the collaboration will be a win-win situation for both the regions.

Figure 7 - First panel had regions and clusters from both sides discussing collaboration

The second panel brought together hands-on experts on AI both from the developer and user side. Indian side was represented by Pradeep Mathapati, HCL, Deepali Jetley, Qwazent Healthcare. Swedish side was represented by Annie Chandy from LUDC, Devdatt Dhubhashi from Chalmers University of Technology and Peter Soderman from Karolinska University Hospital. The session was moderated by Sachin Gaur from InnovatioCuris. The panel discussed in depth the challenges of AI development and how processes are evolving at the end of the health system to collect and refine data. Interesting observations were made on the role of data in AI, future job roles for AI in health sector and business models that may emerge when the providers and IT players collaborate.

Figure 8 - Panel 2 keynote was shared by Pradeep Mathapati from HCL Germany office

Day 4

The last day gave a perspective about the second largest city of Sweden, Gothenburg. The delegation was welcomed by Business Region Gothenburg, West Swedish Chamber of Commerce, and Surgical Science. Surgical Science have virtual reality simulators for surgeries like evidence-based laparoscopic and endoscopic training. The representative of West Swedish Chamber of Commerce discussed why Sweden is interested in investing in India as it is an emerging market after China, and it is a volume market with rich data. India also has a large pool of highly skilled IT professionals. On the other hand, Sweden is one of the world’s largest 10 economies and has become one of the most innovative countries in the world. Sweden is home to companies like Volvo, Ericsson, SKF, Spotify, Skype, IKEA, etc. The Indian team visited the Sahlgrenska University hospital along with Gothia Forum, which has 54 clinics in West Sweden for clinical trials.

Figure 9 - Expert from Surgical Science ready to give us a handson training on various surgeries (ofcourse simulated)

Furthermore we visited Biobank West, a Swedish Biobank showed their infrastructure where they store the blood and tissue samples. Companies such as Surgical Science, Biobank West are actively looking out for collaboration with India.

Figure 10 - Site visit of Gothia Forum, Swedish Bio Bank

The last stop was at the famous Swedish pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca (AZ) which has been ranked number one in IDEA Pharma’s Pharmaceutical Innovation Index (PII). An interesting model has been adopted by AZ called AZ BioVenture Hub. It is a collaborative innovation ecosystem for emerging biotech, medtech companies, and academic groups to strengthen competitiveness in the Nordic life science industry. AZ provides space to the SMEs and an opportunity to interact with highly-skilled AZ professionals. In addition, the SMEs can use the state-of-the-art lab facilities and infrastructure of AZ. Currently, there are thirty companies in the AZ BioVenture Hub.

Figure 11 - Indian delegation with Magnus, Pernila and Jesper from AZ BioVentures and GoCo City

AZ has also enabled a bigger initiative called as GoCo Health Innovation City. GoCo will be a collaborative innovation ecosystem with more than 30 companies working in biotech, medtech, and academia. This city will be completed in eight years and will have co-innovation programs and services such as networking events, experienced facilitators to mentor the innovator, connecting members with similar challenges, growth guides. It will be a place for focused work and healthy living.

Figure 12 - Field visit to the site of planned GoCo Health City

The way forward

Sweden being the global innovation leader and start-up hotbed can be a great example for India. The country has an innovation policy and each county is working towards it. It is focusing on the unmet needs of the population and fostering a culture of innovation. The Swedish innovations can be plugged into the Indian ecosystem and vice versa. Innovation is fostered by opening boundaries, by gathering insights and information from new connections, and by sharing knowledge. Keeping this in mind, InnoBRIDGE was envisioned and continuously working towards other collaborations.

We look forward to build on the initial interests among stakeholders from both sides in form of knowledge webinars, physical visits and signing of MoUs in cases of where the concrete plans emerge. The next milestone for us would be InnoHEALTH 2019, 4-5 October where interested Swedish stakeholders plan to visit us in India and hopefully by then we would have progressed on some of the existing discussions. Also, some of our Indian delegates look forward to participate in Vitalis next year!

 
Send your comments / feedback to sachin@innovatiocuris.com

The post InnoBRIDGE Sweden 2019 : Report appeared first on InnoHEALTH magazine.

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