The day after his bosom friend had a heart attack, Sanchit Kumar, a 45-year-old IT professional based in Delhi, went for a comprehensive health check-up in a top-notch private diagnostic facility. "The test revealed that I had high cholesterol levels and hypertension, which I was unaware of,” says Mr Kumar.
Lifestyle changes and unhealthy dietary habits have impacted individuals with chronic health conditions. This has made preventive care imperative. Mr Kumar has now made lifestyle changes to pre-empt any further complications.
According to Nitin Chugh, chief commercial officer of Thyrocare, the diagnostic landscape in India is set to undergo a profound transformation over the next five years. “We anticipate a continued emphasis on accessibility and affordability, with rising demand for point-of-care testing and more at-home diagnostics. Technological advancements, particularly in AI and machine learning, will revolutionise diagnoses. At the same time, telemedicine will seamlessly integrate with diagnostics, offering remote consultations and monitoring,” says Mr Chugh, who believes these trends will shape a more dynamic and patient-centric diagnostic ecosystem in India.
Another recent development in preventive healthcare is the rise of genomics and genetic testing, enabling early disease detection. “By analysing an individual’s genetic makeup, healthcare providers can identify an individual’s predisposition to various conditions, tailor preventive strategies, and develop customized treatment plans. Furthermore, genetic insights empower individuals to make informed decisions about their diet, exercise, and lifestyle, fostering proactive health management and overall wellness,” explains Dr. Ravneet Kaur, a clinical geneticist at Agilus Diagnostics, Gurugram.
The demand for genetic testing in the country has spurred the growth of companies that offer a wide range of tests and services to consumers and healthcare providers. There are numbers to support this trend. In 2022, the Indian genetic testing market was valued at approximately $60.78 million and is projected to grow to $90.52 million by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.94%.
Recent advancements have significantly increased the accessibility of genetic readings to the general public, says Dr. Chaitali Nikam of HaystackAnalytics, a genomics-based diagnostic solution company in Mumbai.
“The cost of DNA sequencing has plummeted over the past two decades due to technological innovations such as next-generation sequencing (NGS). Direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies now offer reasonably priced kits for collecting DNA samples at home and receive analysis on ancestry, health, and genetic traits,” says Dr Nikam. before noting that the rise in genetic testing has spurred a corresponding growth in genetic counselling services. “These services, available in-person and remotely, help individuals interpret their results and understand the health implications.”
Diagnostic companies are expanding their portfolio of genetic tests to cover a wider range of diseases, conditions, and traits. “The range includes tests for hereditary cancers, cardiovascular disorders, rare genetic diseases, pharmacogenomics (genetic factors affecting drug response), and carrier screening for reproductive planning,” says Dr Nikam.
Technological advancements play a crucial role in enhancing diagnostic services by improving accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility. Automation of processes reduces human error and increases throughput while digital platforms facilitate data management and remote access to results. At Thyrocare, as Dr Chugh reveals, their comprehensive catalogue of over 700 tests and profiles undergoes automated processing that minimises manual intervention and error from collection to report release.
Prabhanjan Dwivedi, senior technical officer at the TRL Ministry of Sciences, Delhi shares, “Technological advancements, particularly in molecular diagnostics, molecular biology, and genetics, have led to the development of more precise diagnostic tools such as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), Next-Generation Sequencing, and advanced imaging techniques. Additionally, AI has significantly improved the speed and accuracy of diagnoses.” These developments indicate a broader shift towards patient-centric care and the growing popularity of home-care diagnostic services.
(By arrangement with livemint.com)
