Conference to discuss innovations in health

Health ATMs, automatic kiosk-type diagnostic centres and urine analysers would be among the several new health care innovations, whose introduction would be discussed at a special meet to be held in the capital Wednesday.

Over 100 health care innovators will meet to identify ways to enable the poor in the world's second most populous nation access high-end medical facilities that remain largely out of bound for them, a release said here.

Sponsored by the Wish India Foundation, the initiative - with active support from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India - will help the poor derive benefits from specially designed low-cost glucometers, urine analysers, tele-connected Health ATMs and other devices.

The automatic, kiosk-typed diagnostic centre is designed to address primary health care requirements. The health vending machine will have an attached cabin to provide diagnostic services like testing body vitals, it said.

The release said that Wish Foundation's ambitious plan is in sync with New Delhi's universal health plan that seeks to benefit a sixth of the world population at a whopping $26 billion over the next four years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already pledged to provide all Indians with free drugs, diagnostic treatment as well as insurance cover to treat serious ailments. The proposed plan will roll out in phases from April 2015.

"Innovation is the key to modern health care. The idea behind WISH emerged out of my passion for innovation and affordable health care. I wanted to find a way to channel these two personal passions to help the poor in India," Sunil Wadhwani, founder, Wish Foundation India said.