“ Telemedicine anticipated to generate about US $ 5.5 billion in revenue by 2025 ”
In an exclusive interview , Vikram Thaploo , CEO- Telehealth , Apollo Hospitals shares his vision for telehealth in India , Apollo ’ s initiatives and experiences , besides growth opportunities and upcoming trends in the segment
By Rahul koul
How has the telehealth industry evolved since you joined Apollo Hospitals ?
The telemedicine industry in India has evolved significantly since I joined Apollo . In the early 2000s , it was largely limited to government-funded projects and academic institutions . However , the rapid growth of the internet and mobile phone networks in India has led to a surge in private sector investment in this segment .
In 1999 , an important milestone in the evolution of telemedicine in India occurred when the Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) initiated the first Telemedicine Pilot
Project in collaboration with Apollo Hospitals Not for profit company , Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation . This project established a connection between Chennai ' s Apollo Hospital and the Apollo Rural Hospital in Aragonda village , located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh . This pilot project showcased the potential of telemedicine to bridge the gap between urban medical facilities and rural areas , providing access to quality healthcare remotely .
Building upon the progress made , in 2005 , the Health Ministry of India took a significant step by establishing the National Telemedicine Taskforce . Subsequently , in 2008 , the National
HealthTech
BIOVOICENEWS . COM 51