2 Big Challenges of India – Healthcare and Education
What India Needs to Focus on to Improve These Big Sectors
At a Panel Discussion in IIT E-Summit 2018, Founder and CEO of ReachIvy.com got into a conversation with Dr Aniruddha Malpani, a renowned IVF specialist and Satya Narayan, CEO of Career Launcher. Here are some takeaways from the discussion:
Vibha: What do you feel about the trend of students going for Coursera, MOOCs, online. Do you feel threatened? Or do you capitalize on this trend?
Satya: MOOCs provide a great opportunity for entrepreneurs. Technology can be beautifully used in the education sector. Ultra-personalisation is only possible with technology. To check a student’s performance, I just login and see a student’s performance there. And 6 months before the GMAT or CAT exam, I can check on the student’s level of preparedness. Some of the first in the world innovations in education technology are ready to happen in India, and that gives us the confidence that there is a great future.
Vibha: Aniruddha, I’m sure you have also faced the same dilemma in the medical profession. Nowadays, people use the Internet to diagnose and even treat diseases. Everyone uses Google as a proxy doctor. Is this an unhealthy trend or do you see the benefits of treating an informed patient?
Aniruddha: I don’t think doctors are going to become obsolete because of technology. We want to build trust between doctors and patients. We want patients to come educated, and doctors to create their websites so that doctors become trusted sources. This can enhance their trust.
Takeaways from the Panel Discussion:
The panellists summarized to include the following thought-provoking points about the challenges faced in India for healthcare and Education:
For Healthcare:
1. The Indian population is the reason that health concerns are resonating across the country, but these concerns have not been able to shake the policymakers. They pay little attention to emerging health threats, even the most virulent ones.
2. We need to increase spending on preventive care and encourage health check-ups, curb tobacco and alcohol, and promote physical activity.
3. Even today, a staggering 70% of the population that lives in rural areas has zero or limited access to hospitals and clinics. In contrast, the urban centres have numerous private hospitals and clinics which provide quality healthcare. This gap needs to be bridged.
For Education:
1. Most of the parents in India are not willing to send their children to schools to attain basic education, as they are illiterate so they don’t know the value of education.
2. In schools and colleges, lots of attention is given to theory and books and practical knowledge is completely ignored. Practical knowledge and skill-based education are still far away from the reach of students studying in schools, colleges and universities.
Also, children from poor families are forced to work instead of being allowed to go to school. Illiterate adults have limited access to education. Education through MOOCs, online courses with the right platform is the way to go forward.
