Apollo Hospitals: Redefining healthcare since 1983

APOLLO HOSPITALS: Acknowledged as the architect of private healthcare in India, today Apollo Hospitals exist in every joint of healthcare chain with 12,000 beds in 72 Hospitals, 3800+ Pharmacies, 200+ Primary Care, over 650 Diagnostic Centers and 148+ Telemedicine Centers across 13 countries. Apollo Group incorporates a Global Projects Consultancy potential over 15 medical education centers and a Research Foundation, emphasizing on Global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell and genetic research. 

They leap forward by investing in advanced medical technologies viz. Halcyon and Proton Therapy. Coming as the first healthcare group to combine digitization with healthcare, their Apollo 24/7 App readily tackled the accessibility muddles. They are amongst the first healthcare groups to uphold and implement AI, robotics, and data analytic technologies in their exceptional health-care facilities.

THE CREATIVE VISIONARY

Dr. Prathap Reddy, a renowned adroit cardiologist, established Apollo Hospitals at the age of 50. By transforming India’s healthcare industry, Dr. Reddy’s efforts were instrumental to provide quality healthcare with international standards to every citizen. At present, Apollo Hospitals is a globally leading centre for quaternary healthcare. Under his leadership, they have won the trust of over 150 million patients across 140 countries. 

Disquieted about the menacing wave of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Dr. Reddy commenced Annual Preventive Health Checks facilitating 15 million health check-ups. He was. Recipient of countless Lifetime Achievement awards, Dr. Reddy was honoured with the 'Padma Vibhushan' by Government of India, and appeared in India Today’s list of India's 50 most powerful people in 2017.

‘A DREAM TO MAKE WORLD-CLASS HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBLE & AFFORDABLE TO EVERY INDIAN’

Back in early 80s, India had no corporate hospitals. With having everything imported, healthcare held neither vitality nor affordability for common man. Seeing the high (63%) customs duty, Dr. Reddy managed to get a meeting with the Prime Minister and shared his concerns on the same. After many efforts, and convincing the Government for materials and loans needed for a corporate hospital, Dr. Reddy’s dream finally took flight. On 18th September 1983, Apollo Hospitals (Chennai) was launched. Dr. Reddy worked towards funding for hospitals, and subsequently, today diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, etc. can access bank funding.

DISTINGUISHING SERVICES

Apollo's patient-centric culture deepens to TLC (Tender Loving Care), which instigates hope amongst its patients. Apollo Hospitals’ personalized and precise treatment along with their focus on acquiring advanced healthcare technologies like AI to tackle challenges and enhance services, boosts patients' confidence and trust in their doctors. To deliver world-class healthcare to patients, Apollo Hospitals extensively makes use of technologies and data-driven healthcare.

The ACE@25 scoring system at Apollo Hospitals is a set of key parameters that proficiently measures complication rates, mortality rates and average lengths of stay after major procedures, such as Endoscopy. Each parameter is benchmarked with the international institution, recognized as best in the respective parameter.

DR. SANGITA REDDY’S ARMOR TO DEFEAT CHALLENGES

“I find challenges stimulating! Our country with processes and bureaucracy throws up challenges at every turn but the key to success is to meet challenges face-on and find solutions. The changing face of business with the evolution of technology demands that one should not follow precedents but rather look to transcend boundaries. It is this approach that has led me to focus on patient-centricity with all our service models built around the needs of the patient and their family. I believe that women are at an advantage in healthcare with an inherent ability to nurture and empathize that is the cornerstone of care.” -Dr. Sangita Reddy

A BEACON OF HOPE

“At Apollo Hospitals, we have always worked to preserve the humanity that is at the heart of health care”

Apollo Hospitals Group is the only global institution with presence in every facet of the healthcare eco-system, including curative health, pharmacies, retail health, diagnostics, telehealth, home health, preventive health and wellness, medical education, and skill development. Apollo Hospitals has dedicated Centers of Excellence, which stand unique comprising super-specialties such as Cardiac Sciences, Oncology, Transplant, Orthopedics, Neuroscience, and Emergency. Today, Apollo Hospitals compasses 360o of healthcare aiding cardiac surgery, bone marrow transplants, liver disease, knee & hip replacement and robotic surgery.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals was the first coveted JCI accredited in India in 2005. Apollo Hospitals helped Government set up the NABH, and draft standards for hospitals to abide by. They currently embrace 8 JCI accredited hospitals and 23 NABH accredited hospitals, testament to the quality of care at one-tenth of the cost abroad. 

HEALTHCARE PROSPECTS

COVID-19 accelerated telehealth by a decade, enabling the same level of virtual medical experience as an in-person visit. Implementation of latest technologies, AI-based technology and predictive healthcare using preventive medicine, is relieving people from the burden of NCDs.The Internet of Things will act to remotely handle patients’ health. The utilization of digital platforms like Apollo 24/7 and Ask Apollo will boost from healthcare providers and patients both. With rise in AI-enabled applications in health interventions, molecular biology-guided diagnostics, rise in home-care and self-care will also see growth in future. Through increased government investment in public health, critical catalysts like public policy and financing will fiercely deploy healthcare. ‘A responsive public sector, a responsible private sector and a resourceful voluntary sector can together do wonders to strengthen the entire ecosystem’. 

COVID-19 STRATEGEM

In February 2020, Project Kavach was envisioned as a far-reaching strategic approach to combat COVID pandemic. It was formulated to break the chain via interventions at every stage - detection, testing, isolation, and treatment. Through a specially designed AI-based Coronavirus Risk Assessment scan on Apollo 24/7 app and website, potential risk of having the virus through simple interactive questions could be generated for users. Apollo laboratories approved for COVID-19 testing provided home collection of samples and drive-through testing using ICMR approved testing methodologies. 

The ‘Stay I’ initiative rendered medical rooms in hotels with light medical supervision for quarantine and isolation in a clean, restful environment. This ensured asymptomatic or people with mild symptoms not using scarce resources, ergo lessening the burden on hospitals serving the seriously ill with apt care. 

A crucial facet of Project Kavach being treatment and management, Apollo Hospitals took required protocols were to guide COVID positive patients. A devoted healthcare crew was trained in myriad aspects of this disease. 2500+ dedicated beds were made available and 800+ ventilators were installed.

The existing at-risk patients under Apollo’s care were given virtual healthcare access. The Apollo 24/7 app enabled telemedicine, doctor connect, home sample collection and home delivery of medicines providing unbroken diagnosis.

Project Kavach ensures smooth running of Apollo Hospitals’ vaccine campaigns in their Vaccination Centers throughout India.

FUTURE GRAILS

Apollo Hospitals will focus on upcoming technologies, science, holistic preventive care and connected health systems in coming times. New technologies help to confront healthcare crisis by expanding access to personalized healthcare, increasing healthcare workers’ efficiency; thereby, promoting a change towards preventive medicine. AI will facilitate healthcare in remote areas, transforming predictive healthcare, to provide accurate diagnoses within time. 

REDEFINING HEALTHCARE SINCE 1983