Evercare’s Digital Pulse: Transforming Healthcare in LMICs through Digital Innovation
In a drive towards greater efficiency and progress, the ascent of digital transformation has become a defining force in the modernization of healthcare delivery worldwide. From the bustling metropolises of developed nations to the remote corners of emerging markets, digital technologies have demonstrated their transformative power in enhancing efficiency, outcomes, and access. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), where limited financial and human resources present significant challenges in scaling healthcare. However, while the benefits of digital transformation are clear, it’s important to note the need for a more low-cost and low-tech approach tailored to the specific context of LMICs, rather than simply copying what's happening in the West.
Digital transformation offers opportunities to overcome traditional barriers and leapfrog technologies. Leveraging technology can extend healthcare reach, and improve access, affordability, and quality. Evercare Group, a leading healthcare provider in emerging markets, is committed to leveraging digital innovation to transform healthcare delivery.
Evercare Group's vision for digital transformation encompasses various pillars, including engaged and connected care, precision medicine, preventive care, and personalized patient engagement. These pillars are not just aspirational but are deeply integrated into Evercare's operational strategies across its network of hospitals and clinics. However, it's crucial to distinguish between "process" and "content" innovation. While content-driven innovation, such as devices and targeted therapeutics, may be too expensive and not very impactful for LMICs, process-based innovation, facilitated through Human-Centered Design Thinking, can lead to low-cost and low-tech healthcare process innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Engaged and connected care, for example, involves leveraging digital platforms to ensure seamless communication and collaboration between healthcare providers, patients, and other stakeholders. Through telemedicine solutions, Evercare aims to facilitate remote consultations, enabling more patients in remote areas to access specialist care without the need for long-distance travel. This not only improves access to healthcare but also enhances patient satisfaction and engagement.
Precision medicine is another area where Evercare is making significant strides. By harnessing the power of big data analytics and genetic testing, Evercare can tailor treatment plans to the specific genetic makeup and medical history of individual patients. This personalized approach to care not only improves treatment efficacy but also reduces the risk of adverse reactions and unnecessary interventions.
Preventive care is a cornerstone of Evercare's approach to healthcare delivery. Through the utilization of predictive analytics and wearable devices, Evercare envisions the ability to identify individuals at high risk of developing chronic conditions and intervene proactively to prevent disease progression. This proactive approach has the potential to enhance patient outcomes while alleviating the burden on healthcare systems, potentially reducing costly hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
The commitment to personalized patient engagement is evident in Evercare's investment in patient-facing digital tools and applications. Through these platforms, patients can access their medical records, schedule appointments, and communicate with their healthcare providers securely and conveniently. This not only empowers patients to take control of their health but also strengthens the patient-provider relationship, leading to better health outcomes.
In Kenya, a country that faces its own healthcare challenges, Evercare Group's subsidiary Avenue Healthcare serves as a beacon of innovation. Avenue Healthcare has implemented initiatives such as Smart Kiosks (D2D3 project) and Smart ICU using AI, resulting in reduced turn-around time, improved patient outcomes, and increased clinician efficiency. These initiatives highlight Evercare Group's commitment to leveraging technology for tangible improvements in healthcare delivery in LMICs.
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Moreover, Avenue Healthcare has also introduced digital patient education programs via a mobile app, leveraging multimedia resources to educate patients about their conditions and treatment plans. By empowering patients with knowledge, Avenue Healthcare enhances patient engagement and adherence to treatment regimens, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.
Evercare Hospital Lekki is revolutionizing healthcare in Nigeria with innovative initiatives that empower patients and optimize clinician efficiency. Through the adoption of speech-to-text tools, doctors have significantly reduced turnaround times, thereby enhancing productivity and patient care. Patient-facing web and mobile interfaces enable seamless self-service and ongoing engagement with the hospital and clinicians. Specialty-specific chatbots, including our WhatsApp chatbot, efficiently address patient inquiries, while ongoing exploration of AI telemedicine clinics promises to enhance neurology services. An integrated digital engagement platform allows patients easy access to care summaries, diagnostics, and automated recommendations, strengthening the patient-provider relationship.
Evercare Lahore Hospital's 'Hospital Information Management System' (HIMS) equally exemplifies local innovation and efficiency in healthcare. Developed in just six months by local developers, HIMS has significantly enhanced operational efficiency, minimized wastage, and amplified both doctor and patient satisfaction levels. The system seamlessly integrates with the pharmacy at Evercare Lahore Hospital, providing an exceptional service that streamlines the dispensing of all pharmaceutical consumables to our patients. Furthermore, HIMS integrates all essential cybersecurity best practices and adheres to the rigorous JCIA standards. This dedication to security led to the project receiving the esteemed Technology Innovation of the Year award at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2023 in Singapore.
Planning ahead, Evercare aims to further incorporate IoT (Internet-of-Things), telemedicine, and Artificial Intelligence. Plans include launching cost-effective telemedicine programs that leverage smart wearables to manage chronic diseases from home and integrating AI to deliver refined diagnostic and decision-support workflows across our facilities. Evercare is developing a fully integrated in-house ERP system to further elevate organizational efficiency and redefine the standards of care delivery. These endeavours underscore Evercare's dedication to harnessing technology for transformative healthcare outcomes, empowering patients, and elevating the healthcare experience across its global network of facilities.
In conclusion, digital transformation is a crucial driver for shaping healthcare delivery in LMICs. Evercare Group, with its unwavering commitment to innovation and patient-centric care, demonstrates how digital technologies can overcome challenges in emerging markets. By harnessing the power of technology and embracing a people-centred approach, Evercare Group aims to pave the way for a future where quality healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of geographical or socioeconomic barriers.
Written by: Irfan Khan, Chief Commercial Officer, Evercare Group, Naheed Manjothi, Digital Transformation Lead, Avenue Healthcare and Dr Debo Odulana, Chief Innovation Officer, Evercare Lekki
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