New Delhi: NATHEALTH-Healthcare Federation of India, an apex body representing the ecosystem of private healthcare sector in India, convened a special taskforce comprising homecare, digital health and senior care specialists along with key industry stakeholders from providers, insurers and MedTech sectors across the country.
This forum has come up with a white paper on ‘Indian Home Healthcare 2.0: Redefining the Modern Care Continuum’ – a first of its kind attempt to place forward perspectives from all industry stakeholders and propose recommendations to Government on strengthening and providing market stewardship for the growth of the homecare segment in India.
During the pandemic, this segment supported the overburdened Indian Healthcare system by helping augment care capacity and provide COVID care at home to nearly 21 million Indians, decongesting hospitals, freeing up valuable bed capacity and offering appropriate care in settings where hospitalization was not necessary.
The whitepaper outlines top 3 recommendation areas under the focused goal of ‘What can be done at home, must be done at home’:
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Regulatory and Governance focus –
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Urgent need to establish minimum standards for home care providers in order to streamline and standardize care delivery. As immediate next steps, an industry consultative transparent process required for defining national licensing standards as part of the clinical establishments act or as a separate policy
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Medical care being provided outside healthcare institutions needs to be integrated with institutional care i.e., initiation, referral, handover, discharge, home modification, equipment, monitoring etc
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Need to mainstream QAI’s Accreditation standards for home care
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To ensure a transparent care delivery system and maintain trust, safety, and privacy, need to define data privacy and security regulations. Data sharing between the healthcare providers, ensuring visibility and accessibility of data to patients and family will be crucial
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Capacity building focus –
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Establish a specialized homecare workforce by introducing curriculum and training standards for home care personnel
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Institutionalization of multiple models of learning to allow flexibility and interest from aspirants
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Role-based licensing of specialized skilled homecare professionals with periodic renewal mechanisms
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Prioritized inclusion into schemes for indigenous MedTech development – PLI Scheme, draft R&D policy 2021, PPO applicability for govt schemes – PMJAY, NDHM and others
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Enhancing the reach and strength of the digital infrastructure – internet connectivity and digital devices that support care delivery beyond metro cities
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Care Financing Focus –
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Urgent need to introduce Standard Treatment Guidelines (STG) based on local and international protocols
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Financing of care for continuity and an inclusive care ecosystem
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10-year tax holiday for new entrants – this could be associated with care delivery in govt. focus areas or schemes
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Tax breaks to incentivize care delivery in semi-urban and rural areas
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GST benefits as laid out for institutional healthcare providers