Rohan Tripathi, Founder Director, Inovocare Healthsoft Solutions (IHS)

Rohan Tripathi, Founder Director, Inovocare Healthsoft Solutions (IHS)

How Healthtech Startup IHS Helping India’s Elderly & Diabetic Population with its Smart Pill Box MedpeR

India’s growing elderly population presents unique challenges, especially with many seniors living apart from their children. Addressing this issue, Inovocare Healthsoft Solutions (IHS) has introduced the MedpeR tool to assist with medication adherence.

Rohan Tripathi, Founder Director of IHS, shares the origins of this initiative: "The idea began during my final year of B.Tech. Participating in competitions, we won one at IIM Bangalore, which provided us with initial funding. Although we started in 2018, it wasn't until 2020 that we fully developed our team and operations."

With tool like MedpeR, Inovocare aims to enhance the daily lives of the elderly, ensuring they receive the support they need for better health management.

MedpeR, a smart pillbox now available on platforms including Amazon, 1MG, as well as its own website. The startup's vision is to enhance the care for elderly parents, aligning with the cultural nuances of expressing love through concern for their health: “Did you have your medicines?” Their slogan, "Har Ghar MedpeR," encapsulates this mission.

Additionally, Inovocare is developing NIBRA-CS, a diagnostic device focused on dysautonomia, which can affect basic life functions due to age, diabetes, and other conditions. With the CDSCO test license secured, NIBRA-CS is currently undergoing clinical trials at AIIMS Kalyani and is being piloted in various medical colleges in Eastern India.

NIBRA-CS aims to provide accessible, point-of-care testing for autonomic neuropathy, a critical but often overlooked area in diabetic care. IHS’s approach ensures that vital health solutions reach even the most underserved areas, emphasizing that healthcare must extend beyond urban centers to effectively address the challenges posed by chronic diseases like diabetes.

Objective Behind IHS

At Inovocare Healthsoft Solutions, the mission centers on simplicity, particularly in addressing the medication adherence challenges faced by the elderly. The startup recognized a critical issue: while doctors prescribe medications, there often isn’t anyone to ensure these medicines are taken on time. This leads to two significant pain points: the difficulty in remembering to take medications and the anxiety that comes with it.

Rohoan explained, “For instance, my own mother, who manages multiple comorbidities, often questions whether she has taken her medicine after meals. This anxiety is common among many caregivers and seniors. Additionally, many still rely on outdated methods, like using envelopes to track medication schedules, which are not effective or efficient.”

IHS' goal is straightforward: to help the elderly take their medicines on time and without anxiety. MedpeR embodies this vision, providing a modern solution to an age-old problem, ensuring that health management is as simple and stress-free as possible.

Tackling with Lower Digital Health Adoption

While the adoption of digital health solutions in India has been slow, there are promising signs of change. The new generation of elderly individuals is more tech-savvy than ever, regularly using smartphones and social media platforms including WhatsApp and Facebook. This familiarity can make the transition to using apps like MedpeR more manageable, even if they may initially resist new software, asserted Rohan.

Additionally, government initiatives including the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) are crucial in promoting digital health adoption across the country. The focus on digital health is becoming increasingly important, and with devices such as MedpeR and NIBRA-CS, Inovocare is well-positioned to contribute to this movement.

“One of our secondary goals is to generate an ethical database specific to the Indian population. Currently, the lack of relevant digital health data is a significant barrier to developing effective, tailored solutions,” Rohan said.

By focusing on creating a robust, ethical dataset, Inovocare wants to ensure that future algorithms and health solutions are truly reflective of the needs and nuances of the Indian demographic, rather than relying on data from other regions.

As per Rohan, this dual focus—helping individuals while also building a meaningful database—will ultimately lead to more customized and effective healthcare solutions for our population.

Reaching Out to Elderly & Diabetic Population with MedpeR

Building trust and credibility is a crucial aspect in healthcare, especially when it comes to medication adherence. Since patients often rely heavily on their doctors, it’s essential to engage healthcare professionals in this mission. To meet this objective, Inovocare works with good network of doctors

Besides, its eAcademy plays a vital role in this strategy. Through a year-long series of medical education and awareness programs, the startup focuses on the importance of medication adherence. Covering a wide range of topics—from tuberculosis to postmenopausal health—it addresses the multidisciplinary impacts of missing medication. This comprehensive approach is aimed at educating both healthcare providers and patients, making the case for timely medication as a critical aspect of overall health.

Additionally, Inovocare plans to publish a book based on these educational programs represent a pioneering effort in India and potentially worldwide, solidifying its commitment to raising awareness and improving health outcomes.

Inovocare is also proactive in forming partnerships with reputable organizations, such as being part of IRM Bangalore’s health care program and collaborating with the IKP, a leading incubator for medical technology. “Our involvement in programs like Stanford Seeds Park further validates our solutions and enhances our credibility.”

Lastly, Rohan feels leveraging social media is crucial for reaching a broader audience.

“By combining medical education, partnerships, and digital outreach, we’re employing a two-pronged approach that not only raises awareness but also builds trust in our solutions as serious, effective innovations that can genuinely enhance the quality of life for many,” he added.