New analysis released at the UN General Assembly has shown that Redcliffe Labs’ diagnostic tests are more cost-effective at tackling illnesses like diabetes and heart disease than many standard treatments. This research highlights the importance of digitally-enabled and low-cost diagnostics businesses in combating India’s rising pandemic of non-communicable diseases.
India is facing a significant economic burden due to non-communicable diseases, with an estimated economic output loss of $3.6 trillion from 2012 to 2030. This emphasizes the urgent need for innovative healthcare models to protect lives and prevent high costs to the country’s already stretched healthcare system.
The analysis, supported by Redcliffe investor LeapFrog Investments and the UK’s PA Consulting, quantifies the impact of Redcliffe’s diagnostic tools using metrics common to public healthcare systems. The research will be featured by the newly-launched Impact Investment Initiative (Triple I) for Global Health, which aims to raise awareness and share best practices on impact investment in global health.
According to the analysis, Redcliffe’s tests are up to 8 times more cost-effective than national treatment coverage for protecting against the consequences of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, its diabetes tests are less than two-thirds the cost of the cheapest comparable screening and telemedicine interventions.
Redcliffe Labs offers a range of diagnostic tools for preventable diseases, utilizing a nationwide network of pathology labs, digital booking systems, and at-home phlebotomy services to lower costs and improve convenience. This has positioned Redcliffe as one of India’s lowest-cost providers of tests for diabetes, thyroid, heart risk markers, and others.
In India, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases threatens to overwhelm the resources of both public and private health systems. Therefore, both sectors must play important roles in broadening the reach of services like diagnostics and driving innovations that lower costs and increase convenience.
Dr. Sohini Sengupta, Medical Laboratory Director at Redcliffe Labs, emphasized the importance of affordable and convenient diagnostic services in combating the epidemic of non-communicable diseases in India. By slashing costs and improving convenience, Redcliffe has already delivered nearly half a billion dollars in economic savings for India, with plans to further accelerate this impact in the coming years.
Biju Mohandas, Partner and Global Co-Leader for Healthcare Investments at LeapFrog Investments, highlighted the critical importance of innovation in healthcare for India’s economic future. Impact investing in healthcare has traditionally focused on reach and volume metrics, but this research goes deeper to quantify economic effects and deliver comparative analysis across the entire healthcare ecosystem.
The results of the analysis demonstrate that the healthcare sector is not only growing rapidly and profitable but also delivering immense and transformative social impact. It is essential to continue investing in innovative healthcare solutions to address India’s rising non-communicable disease epidemic.
Overall, Redcliffe Labs’ diagnostic tests are proving to be a cost-effective solution for improving Indian health and combating non-communicable diseases. By utilizing digital technology and lowering costs, Redcliffe is making healthcare more accessible and affordable, ultimately benefiting both individuals and the broader community.