September 15, 2024

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Reimagining Healthcare

IN DELHI-NCR, as Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Chief Orthopedic Surgeon at Aakash Healthcare, completed his 100th robotic knee surgery of 2024, he couldn't stop marvelling at the millimetre-by-millimetre real-time adjustments he could make with the robotic arm, and the lower soft-tissue trauma created as opposed to traditional surgery. The patient would be up and about in a couple of days, although full flexibility could take up to one-and-a-half years as atrophied muscles need time to recover. In Kolkata, a retired corporate executive told his buddies at the club, “Sorry, I have to go home now.” What! They exclaimed. It's just 9 pm! The 65-year-old retorted, “After my recent illness, my son gave me this wristwatch, and he can monitor my health and bedtime from Bengaluru!” From robots to wristwatches, change is coursing through India's healthcare sector. Amitabh Dube, Country President and Managing Director of pharmaceuticals major Novartis India, a unit of Switzerland's Novartis, sees healthcare become more patient-centric and technology-driven. Dube is betting on three crucial trends: the digital revolution, universal healthcare coverage, and a focus on preventive and targeted therapy. “Telemedicine and integration of AI will improve accessibility, particularly in remote areas. AIdriven diagnostics, personalised treatment plans, and virtual consultations will allow patients to receive timely care without extensive travel,” says Dube. But this transformation can happen only if there is a database and someone to pay for the technology. Enter the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which is creating a unified health information system of electronic health records. Ayushman Bharat aims to offer a cover of up to `5 lakh per family to 100 million families for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. Dube sees the government expanding universal healthcare coverage. “Policies like Ayushman Bharat will evolve to cover a broader range of services,” he says, supported by public-private partnerships (PPPs) to create better infrastructure and affordable healthcare. Third, better preventive care will reduce the burden on the system. Preventive care ranges from basic hygiene and wellness programmes to early disease detection and personalised medicine. “Public health campaigns, early screening programmes, and lifestyle interventions will promote healthier lifestyles and early intervention,” Dube says. The India Brand Equity Foundation says the healthcare sector is projected to reach `16.4 lakh crore ($200 billion) by 2025, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services. India's healthcare expenditure is currently around 2.1% of GDP. The sector includes over 700,000 healthcare facilities and 1.8 million hospital beds, of which the private sector manages about 70%. Major players

The Other Emirate

“Where is that?” asked an aunt on the fam Wily WhatsApp group. “I thought you were visiting Dubai,” another friend pinged in response to my announcement of my visit to Ras Al Khaimah, a tiny emirate in the UAE, just over an hour's drive from the heart of Dubai. Well, they may not have heard of the northernmost emirate with an uninterrupted history of over 7,000 years, but RAK (as it is commonly abbreviated) has recently become a popular destination for Indian travellers, whose numbers grew 20% last year. In fact, India is the fifth-largest source market of Ras Al Khaimah after Russia, Germany, the UK, and Kazakhstan. Historically considered a significant trade centre, RAK has in recent years become an attractive escape for those seeking adventure or a laid-back beach holiday. Of course, no UAE experience is complete without enjoying luxury hospitality, and RAK has no shortage of global luxury hotels [think Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, Waldorf Astoria, The RitzCarlton, etc.], with many more opening in the near future. The UAE's first casino--the $3.9-billion, 1,500-key Wynn Al Marjan Island--will be inaugurated in the next couple of years, adding to the entertainment value of RAKOf course, if a destination is trying to vie for a larger share of the Indian wallet, weddings cannot be far behind. The tourism authorities are actively promoting RAK as a destination for weddings, and they are willing to accommodate any request from the bride or groom. Consider this: Last year, an Indian bride was hung up on being escorted by police vehicles, sirens blaring, from the airport to the hotel after she landed. And, the emirate's police chief made her wish come trueAccording to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, last year the emirate's wedding revenue surged by 103%, driven by the demand for destination weddings from India. "We have 12 Indian weddings scheduled for this year, with a few more in the pipeline for the first quarter of next year. Each of these weddings promises to be a grand affair," says Fabien Chesnais, GM, Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, RAKThe hotel has already hosted 10 weddings since it opened in 2022. On an average, the resort, which has a 300-metre pristine white sand beach, welcomes approximately 5,000 Indian tourists annually. "India is indeed a growing market for us. The resort has seen a steady increase in Indian guests, driven by a growing interest in newer destinations and experiences. This demographic is attracted by the resort's amenities, scenic location, and family-friendly offerings," says ChesnaisWhether you are a thrill seeker or a laid-back beach bum, there is plenty to do in Ras Al KhaimahONE-OF-A-KIND CULTURAL JOURNEYS Ras Al Khaimah translates to `head of the tent,' a name that, depending on the version of the story you follow, either reflects its location at the northern tip of the country or the legend of a sheikh who hung a lantern from his tent to guide seafarers, like a lighthouse. Before oil took over in the 1950s, pearl trading was big business along the emirate's 40 miles of coastline. Divers would set out to sea on sailboats for months at a time, searching the ocean floor for oysters. They would jump in free- style without any equipment with just a tortoiseshell clip on their nose to hold their breath. The arrival of affordable and easily accessible cultured pearls from Japan in the 1930s led to the decline of this industry. You can learn all about it at the Suwaidi Pearl Farm, the first and only one in the GulfThe farm provides tours, offering insights into ancient techniques and stories of the region's pearl divers. It includes a trip on a traditional pearling boat. But the best part? Trying your luck to see if you find a pearl inside an oyster. I did! MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES RAK is home to the highest peak in the UAE, meaning there are plenty of mountain activities to enjoy, especially for thrill seekers. The chief among them is Jais Flight, which has been recognised as the world's longest zip line by the Guinness