MediBuddy, and CII launched a report highlighting a significant stride towards digital healthcare adoption and corporate wellness. Titled "Mapping India's Corporate Health and Wellness Landscape," the report highlights that a massive number of job seekers consider employee wellness programmes crucial in their decision-making process. This underscores a notable surge in digital health adoption and a growing demand for personalised wellness solutions, reflecting an increasing awareness of how employee well-being impacts corporate performance. This shift signals a transformative evolution in corporate health strategies across India.
India's digital healthcare sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by technological innovations, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and proactive government initiatives. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, these factors have significantly accelerated the adoption of digital health solutions nationwide. Key technological advancements including AI, data analytics, and 5G are revolutionising healthcare delivery in India, enabling personalised care. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), a cornerstone government initiative, aims to establish the world's largest digital health ecosystem, focusing on universal health coverage and robust digital infrastructure.
The report highlights some compelling statistics:
1. Alarming Burnout Rates: 62 per cent of Indian employees experience burnout, triple the global average of 20 per cent. Work-related stress, remote work challenges, and poor work-life balance are primary contributing factors.
2. Financial Burden of Healthcare: 71 per cent of employees spend an average of 5 per cent of their annual income on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. This underscores the need for more comprehensive employer-provided healthcare options.
3. Dissatisfaction with Current Wellness Offerings: Only 24 per cent of employees feel satisfied with their current workplace health options. This indicates a significant gap between employee needs and existing corporate wellness programmes.
4. Impact of Wellness Initiatives on Productivity: Companies implementing comprehensive wellness programmes report a 22 per cent boost in employee productivity. Organisations with wellness programmes see a 14 per cent decrease in medical costs per employee based on healthcare claims.
5. Evolving Employee Priorities: 72 per cent of job seekers consider employee wellness programs crucial in their decision-making process. There's a growing demand for personalised prevention strategies and convenient healthcare access.
6. Preference for extension of OPD benefits to preferred dependents: Today, more firms are offering benefits that go beyond just IPD insurance, such as consultations, medicines, lab tests and mental health counselling, compared to pre-pandemic days. Extending wellness benefits to dependents, like parents, kids, partners (including same-sex partners), and even siblings. Offering choices in wellness programmes attracts top talent and keeps them happy, all without breaking the bank on expensive insurance.
Insights
The report emphasises the importance of customised wellness programmes based on employee demographics and personalised prevention strategies. Employees seek wellness programmes that extend benefits to their loved ones, including dependents, and offer convenient healthcare options like teleconsultations. Today, more firms are offering benefits that go beyond just IPD insurance, such as consultations, medicines, lab tests and mental health counselling, compared to pre-pandemic days.
Employees also prefer adaptable wellness programmes that accommodate flexible work options, such as virtual fitness classes and mental health apps. Clear information about benefits and data protection is crucial. Regular surveys can address health issues and measure outcomes. Tech-powered wellness platforms are rising to meet the diverse needs of India's corporate workforce, prioritising preventive healthcare with regular screenings and healthy habits to prevent chronic illnesses, boost overall health, and improve productivity and job satisfaction.
