Indian firms not `healthy' enough to tap US

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">BANGALORE: Be it consulting or services, the Indian software industry has always been benefiting from most emerging trends in the US market. <br />However, the country''s Rs 7,000 crore healthcare solution firms have not yet been able to significantly tap into the US healthcare informatics industry, which is expected to touch $60 billion by 2004.<br />The reason? Most Indian healthcare solutions firms are not competent enough to develop products or offer services based on Health Level Seven (HL7) protocol, a HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) related standard used in the healthcare industry.It is also the recommended national standard for patients'' medical records and medical claims.<br />Interestingly, despite its IT dominance, India currently does not have a single HL7 certified personnel when China has over 100 and Taiwan 75. Globally, there are over 500 HL7 certified people.<br />To address this issue by educating healthcare solution firms in the country, Michigan-based international affiliate HL7 Inc., has recently set up a chapter in the country, HL7 India.<br />HL7 India chairman Dr Saji Salam (also head of healthcare and life sciences practice of vMoksha Technologies) told <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">The Times of India </span>that most Indian healthcare solutions firms are prepared only for domestic, Asia Pacific or the Middle East markets. "On the contrary, foreign companies have a global approach. None of the Indian firms have suitable products for global markets."<br />The body will provide the latest versions of HL7 standards and impart training for healthcare solutions firms. ``HL7 India will also make sure that the country''s voice is heard in the global healthcare solutions market.''''<br />``Currently domestic healthcare firms do not have enough pressure from hospitals. The demand for HL7 standard in the country will rise with HIPPA hotting up in the US. The entry of multinational insurance firms will also accelerate the growth of the segment. Third party administrators are already on the prowl in India to mediate between insurance companies, hospitals and individuals,'''' he added.<br />At present, over 20 countries are members in the HL7 initiative. Germany, Netherlands, Austria and the US have already adopted it as a national standard while Malaysia will soon fall in the line. HL7 India chapter has recently submitted a recommendation to the ministry of health to make HL7 a national standard, said Dr Salam.<br />Currently, five healthcare solution firms including vMoksha Technologies, SSI Technologies, Dunken Infotech, Health Asyst and Majoris Software are members in the Indian chapter.<br />According to Cecil John VP Majoris Software, his company has been making various inroads in the segment. It is believed that Majoris is planning to fly in HL7 experts from Duke University to train its professionals. It is also learnt that company has almost bagged a significant work order from Malaysia.<br />Duncan Infotech MD Raju Datla said Indian companies can find opportunities in technical consulting and developing tools, by basing their methodologies and tools for HIPPA implementation and code conversion.<br />A recent HL7 summit concluded at Atlanta discussed issues including fake HL7 compliant software and related piracy in India, Dr Salam said. The Indian chapter will conduct the first ever HL7 certification examination in the country in April.<br />Being a voluntary organisation, HL7 provides a forum for interaction between various constituencies of the healthcare community including healthcare organisations, vendors, developers of healthcare information systems, consultants and systems integrators and public and private healthcare services agencies. </div> </div>