Healthcare spending surge eases public burden

New Delhi: India’s out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare is witnessing a significant reduction, thanks to increased government spending and an expanding digital health landscape. According to the latest National Health Accounts (NHA) data for 2021-22, government health expenditure (GHE) has surged from 1.13% of GDP in 2014-15 to 1.84% in 2021-22, and its share of overall government spending rose from 3.94% to 6.12%. This increase, which includes tripling per capita health spending from Rs 1,108 to Rs 3,169, is enabling more affordable and accessible healthcare for the public, helping to alleviate financial burdens on individuals.

In addition to the government’s efforts, health tech innovations like the One Health Assist (OHA) platform are playing a crucial role. Founded by Davinder Bhasin and Karan Arora, OHA uses artificial intelligence (AI) and a robust digital platform to deliver preventive and personalized healthcare. “Our goal is to provide a comprehensive solution that aligns with users' long-term health goals,” said Arora, explaining how the platform enables digital health records, continuous health monitoring, lab tests, and consultations.

OHA emphasizes preventive care and data security, utilizing end-to-end encryption, HIPAA compliance, and partnerships with AWS and TTML to safeguard user information. “AI will revolutionize healthcare, and OHA intends to lead this shift,” Bhasin said, underlining the platform’s potential to reshape India’s healthcare landscape.