Pandemic-induced medical inflation delaying over 60% elective surgeries: Survey

The digital revolution in the Indian healthcare sector was a long-awaited change. Seeing how the healthcare sector has advanced in recent years, patients can now access the finest medical treatments for several ailments. But improving healthcare does not come without rising medical costs. From surgeries to drugs, healthcare costs are skyrocketing and the global pandemic has only worsened medical inflation. Spiraling financial woes are keeping patients from receiving elective healthcare procedures on time. The delay of millions of elective procedures could setback the healthcare progress of India by years. 

A recent survey by Navia Life Care, one of the most trusted health tech platforms, showed the grim reality of deferred elective procedures across the country. According to the survey, around 60% of elective surgeries are postponed due to financial reasons.

Considering that some elective procedures are more time-sensitive than others, delays in surgical care could increase morbidity or mortality. In addition to a potential bearing on morbidity and mortality, continued deferral in elective surgeries could also worsen the quality of life and healthcare experience for patients.

Gaurav Gupta, co-founder, Navia Life Care, said that the survey talks about India’s healthcare spending pattern. "The deferral of elective surgeries could ultimately have a lasting impact on patient's quality of life. The healthcare sector must harness digital innovations and hatch strategic plans to improve the affordability of healthcare for millions of patients delaying their elective surgeries. This can improve the patient experience and outcomes.”

What Is Elective Surgeries

Elective surgeries are generally not life-threatening but continued deferral can lead to severe complications over time. Several studies have shown that delays in surgical care for vision repair, knee replacement or gallstone removal can depreciate the quality of life and intensify severity.

With millions of patients delaying their elective procedures due to financial reasons, the healthcare sector must collectively devise a solution. In light of the financial woes, innovations such as instant medical loans and the BNPL (buy now, pay later) model have sprung up recently in the healthcare landscape.

With instant medical loans available to patients, they can receive quality care, whether emergency treatment or an elective procedure.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, several clinics have adopted digital medical loans, which connect patients to financial institutions for instant medical loans. As a result, patients can avail themselves of such instant loans for elective procedures, treatments, consultations, diagnostic tests and medicines without deferring care.

Such healthcare innovations enable the sector to strengthen its clinical operations, transform care delivery and improve patient experience and outcomes.