Sukino to add more Centres in Cities; grow in new Verticals such as Oncology, Ambulatory care
| Shutapa Paul, Author, Media Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Founder, of Dharma Media Consultants, and Rajinish Menon, Founder and CEO of Sukino Healthcare Solutions |
"India is a quick-learning country
and has begun to understand the impending challenges faced by the elderly. We
anticipate a 40% decadal growth in the elderly population. This demographic
shift is significant, with the number of people over 80 expected to equal those
aged 0-15. Are we ready? The answer is no, but we are mentally preparing and
gearing up for the change,” he said.
"The machinery is working towards
addressing this shift. The government has shown focus, and private players actively promote good health among elders. CSR activities from corporates are
playing a crucial role in this transition, and we see promising initiatives in
urban areas being replicated in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities,” he added.
Menon
identified several pressing challenges faced by senior citizens in India,
including financial security, infrastructure, and healthcare.
Home healthcare in India in nascent stage; has strong business potential: Sukino’s Rajinish Menon
Shutapa
Paul also raised concerns about the isolation and loneliness many seniors
experience. Highlighting the growing safety concerns, she pointed out the
increasing percentage of crimes against seniors, including elder abuse by
family members. "We see a growing percentage of crimes against senior
citizens, whether physical, mental, or cybercrime. The numbers are huge and
shocking. As per reports, almost 35% of senior citizens face abuse from their
sons and 21% from their daughters-in-law," she said. In response, Menon
stressed the need for awareness and self-protection among elders.
The
insightful discussion also touched upon India’s home healthcare market which is
expected to be worth $21.3 billion by 2027, up from $6.2 billion in 2020,
according to a 2021 NITI Aayog report. Factors driving this growth include the
increasing demand for better quality postoperative and primary care,
advancements in technology, rising disposable incomes, and the shift from
communicable to lifestyle diseases.
Addressing
the state of home healthcare in India, Menon said, "Home care has great
potential and is a resource-augmented model, especially where business is
concerned. The infrastructure is developing, but there are significant
challenges. Home care is currently in a nascent stage, often relying on labour
from less developed states, who are trained briefly and then deployed. This
model will evolve as society becomes more accepting and technology progresses.
Home care is essentially the last-mile delivery of healthcare."
"Adequate
compensation is necessary for good home healthcare services. There are
affordable options available, but consumers must understand the minimum
requirements for quality care. It is a combination of proper training,
technology, and consumer awareness that will improve home healthcare. Sukino is
committed to playing a pivotal role in this transformation, providing
multidisciplinary out-of-hospital inpatient recuperative, rehabilitative, and
palliative care that feels like home, ensuring that the elderly can age with
dignity and receive the care they deserve,” he said.
Elaborating
on Sukino’s growth plan, Menon highlights that the company will not only expand
its geographical presence across various cities in India but will also explore
new models of care. This includes areas such as oncology, ambulatory care, and
other advanced healthcare services beyond traditional home and continuum care.
Menon states, “Our focus is not only on organic growth but also on exploring
strategic opportunities for inorganic expansion. We see significant potential
in collaborating with promising startups and technology providers that align
with our vision for advanced healthcare solutions. Our technology adoption
strategy is centered on integrating meaningful advancements to enhance patient
care and streamline processes. We aim to leverage technology as an enabler to
deliver practical and impactful healthcare solutions.”
As India prepares for this "Silver Tsunami”, creating a supportive and secure environment for our senior citizens must be a national priority. Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort from the government, private sector, and society at large.
Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/jSPwW3KUkoE
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