The Indian healthcare sector's biggest challenge is providing quality, affordable healthcare to all citizens, especially in rural and tier 2 & 3 areas, due to geographic and cost barriers. The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the adoption of telemedicine, significantly shifting care delivery preferences toward teleconsultations, especially in disciplines like psychiatry, gynecology, and dermatology. This shift highlights telemedicine's potential to enhance healthcare accessibility and move towards Universal Health Coverage. Adhering to government guidelines, the telemedicine sector must implement standardized protocols and safeguards to ensure quality care.
CII has released Code of Conduct for telemedicine platforms which aims to optimize their functions, uphold professional standards, ensure patient safety, and promote transparency, aligning with universal healthcare principles. These voluntary guidelines, based on industry best practices, are designed to evolve with changing norms and requirements.