The hospital comes home

30-Jun-2025

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Today, complex clinical profiles can be managed at home, something deemed impossible a decade back. This includes looking after those in coma, stroke survivors and dementia patients. Other than the usual barrage of blood/ urine tests, a wide range of diagnostic procedures like x-rays, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms (ECGs) and some biopsies can be done at home by trained professionals. 

Not just this, use of ventilators, dialysis units and setting up of e-ICUs (electronic intensive care units) have expanded the range of home healthcare. Doctors say it speeds up complex recoveries, including from organ transplants, cancer care and major surgeries. Furthermore, it saves money, reduces congestion in hospitals and is considered safer. 

The Covid-19 pandemic marked an evolutionary inflection point for home healthcare. According to government data, over 90 per cent of Covid cases were treated at home. 

According to Deloitte 2022 Global Consumer Trends in Healthcare, 74 per cent Indians prefer home sample collections, and 49 per cent prefer treatment at home. As with a spa experience or groceries, people want services and products to reach them.