Almost every healthcare system in the world is under-resourced and overburdened, says Dr Zubin J. Daruwalla. After all, the combination of rising costs, ageing populations, and an increase in chronic noncommunicable diseases has resulted in two urgent needs. One, a transformation of the workforce. Two, an implementation of cost-neutral or low-cost healthtech solutions that don’t impede clinical workflows, or at least minimally hinder them.
This spurred the general practitioner with a focus on orthopaedics and musculoskeletal disease to co-found HiruX. “In the simplest terms, it is a collaboration,” he explains. The company spotlights technological advancements and advocates the use of technology as a complementary tool for clinical practices. It also facilitates speaking engagements at healthcare events, and the conceptualisation, development, and commercialisation of technologies. At HiruX, Dr Daruwalla assumes a clinical advisory role.
“I like to challenge the status quo by showing how things can be achieved in a cost-effective, timely manner when we work together— true collaboration being the key success factor.”
Dr Zubin J. Daruwalla on making a positive impact
He contributed his expertise in healthtech during the pandemic, when he provided pro-bono support to the Ministry of Health through a telemedicine solution for migrant workers. It subsequently became the national default telemedicine platform TMARS. “I like to think of my role as one that bridged the clinical, corporate, business and technology worlds,” he adds.
Dr Daruwalla’s vision is affordable, accessible, technology-enabled, human-led healthcare for all. As such, he doesn’t define success in healthtech by productive fundraising or milestones achieved. “As a healthtech advocate, my ultimate intention is to clinically support a solution and see it adopted. Truly, from bench to bedside.”
