Introduction: The Post-Pandemic Slump

Defeat Diabetes : During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine wasn’t just a luxury—it was a lifeline. With over 1 lakh daily consultations and platforms like eSanjeevani recording massive numbers, it felt like India’s healthcare revolution had finally arrived.

But as the world opened up, the digital clinics went quiet. Why? Because in the rush to digitize, we forgot to “Indianize” the solution.

Defeating Diabetes: Why 28 Years of Practice Shows Telemedicine Must Change

By Dr. Prakash Kurmi, MD

Defeat Diabetes : Diabetes is not just a high blood sugar reading; it is a lifelong battle of discipline, psychology, and trust. In my 28 years of medical practice in Ahmedabad, I have seen thousands of patients fight this condition. I have seen what works, what fails, and most importantly, why the “digital revolution” in healthcare is currently failing the very people it aims to help.

1. The Trust Factor: Convenience vs. The “Ghar ka Doctor”

Defeat Diabetes : In India, healthcare isn’t a transaction; it’s a relationship. Most families rely on a “Ghar ka Doctor” (family physician)—someone who knows their history, their lifestyle, and their anxieties.

Telemedicine tried to replace this deep-rooted trust with the convenience of a “random doctor in 5 minutes.” It failed because, when you’re scared, you don’t want a faster app; you want a doctor who knows your name.

2. The “Transaction” vs. The “Relationship”

Defeat Diabetes : Modern health-tech apps treat a doctor’s consultation like ordering a meal. But diabetes management requires a Ghar ka Doctor—a family physician who knows that your blood sugar spikes not just because of your diet, but perhaps because of family stress or a specific local lifestyle habit.

• The Issue: Current teleconsultation platforms often connect patients with a “random” doctor every time.

• The Result: There is no continuity of care. The doctor doesn’t know your history, and the patient doesn’t feel the “trust” (Vishwas) necessary to follow a difficult diet or medication plan.

3. The Discipline Gap

Defeat Diabetes :  A major hurdle in Indian healthcare is patient adherence. Many patients struggle with:

• Incomplete antibiotic courses.

• Skipped follow-up appointments.

• “Doctor shopping” (changing physicians mid-treatment).

Unfortunately, standalone telemedicine often enabled these habits. One-time video calls made it easier for patients to treat symptoms rather than manage health, leading to a fragmented experience rather than a cure.

4. The AI Misstep

Defeat Diabetes : Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool, but it was introduced at the most sensitive moment: the first consultation. When a patient is anxious and unsure, they need empathy, not an algorithm. By pushing AI to the front lines, the system left patients feeling unheard and more confused than before.

The Path Forward: Telemedicine 2.0

Defeat Diabetes : Telemedicine in India isn’t dead; it just needs to evolve. For it to truly scale, it must stop trying to be a “standalone app” and start being an integrated system. The winning model will:

• Support, not replace: Focus on the “Ghar ka Doctor” by giving them better tools.

• Specialized Care: Move away from “general queries” and focus on chronic management (Diabetes, Cardiac care, Mental health).

• End-to-End Integration: Connect video calls with local labs, pharmacies, and nearby clinics.

• Continuity: Prioritize staying with the same doctor over multiple sessions.

My Commitment to You

After 28 years in healthcare, my philosophy remains simple: Technology is the tool, but the Doctor is the anchor.

At Shivam Hospital, we are committed to defeating diabetes by combining the wisdom of decades of practice with the efficiency of modern tools. We don’t just want to lower your sugar; we want to improve your life.

Diabetes can be defeated, but it won’t happen through a “standard app.” It will happen through a partnership between a patient who is ready to change and a doctor who truly cares.

Dr. Prakash Kurmi 28 Years of Experience | Specialist in Diabetes & Internal Medicine Director, Shivam Multi-speciality Hospital, Ahmedabad

Conclusion: The Human Heart of Digital Health

Defeat Diabetes : After nearly three decades in the consultation room, I have learned that medical practice is 20% science and 80% trust. The current “failure” of teleconsultation isn’t because the technology is bad, but because it lacks a soul. It tries to replace the doctor-patient bond with a digital interface, forgetting that a diabetic patient needs a partner, not just a prescription.

How Trusted Telemedicine Can Help You  Defeat Diabetes

To truly Defeat Diabetes, we must stop looking for the “next big app” and start looking back at the values of the “Ghar ka Doctor.” We need a system where:

Defeat Diabetes

• Technology handles the data (blood sugar logs, reminders, and reports).

• The Doctor handles the human (empathy, lifestyle coaching, and clinical judgment).

At Defeat Diabetes my mission is to ensure that every digital interaction carries the same weight and warmth as a handshake in my clinic. We are not just treating a chronic disease; we are restoring a quality of life that diabetes tries to steal.

The path to a diabetes-free India isn’t found in a standalone video call. It is found in the persistent, disciplined, and tech-enabled relationship between a patient who is ready to heal and a physician who has spent 28 years learning how to help them.

In my 28 years of clinical experience, my mission has been to help every patient Defeat Diabetes through discipline and trust.

Let’s move beyond the screen and get back to the heart of healing.