Over the last few years, technology has significantly altered the healthcare landscape in India. And with COVID-19 pandemic, healthtech services has seen a massive boost, especially in telemedicine.

With social distancing norms and fear of getting infected with COVID-19, people are using telemedicine services for their medical needs.

As per a report by healthtech startup Practo, about five crore Indians accessed online healthcare between March 1 and May 31, 2020, recording a 500% growth in online healthcare consultations. 

The report further stated that 80% of the total users were first-time telemedicine users. 

Talking about digital healthcare, Practo Co-founder and CEO Shashank ND said digital healthcare in India is going to witness exponential growth in the next five years.

Banking on the growth of this segment, today’s startup story is about healthtech startup Meta16Labs. The startup is using technology to make healthcare delivery better.

Startup Story: Meta16Labs | Making Healthcare Delivery Better

Meta16Labs Founders

Meta16Labs was founded by Anil JJ in 2018 and was later joined by Dr Ashvath Vinayak Kulkarni. Anil has around 20 years of experience in the healthcare information technology space and Dr Ashvath Vinayak is a Dental Surgeon by profession.

The startup is using technology to make healthcare delivery better.

How Meta16Labs Started?

Anil JJ started Meta16Labs after realising the lack of access to proper healthcare during a bike trip to the Himalayas.

Since then, the startup is working with a vision to make healthcare solutions accessible to everyone, especially in semi-urban and rural areas.

So to make healthcare delivery better, Anil JJ along with Dr Ashvath Vinayak Kulkarni started Meta16Labs in 2018.

The bootstrapped startup launched its core product, MyTeleOPD, which is a digital clinic and telemedicine service platform.

As per Anil, MyTeleOPD targets PHCs – state-owned rural healthcare centres and joins hands with them. It empowers the PHCs to connect with specialised doctors across the country and provides a second opinion and further clarifies the condition of the patients.

Further clarifying about what MyTeleOPD does, Anil says,

 “We are not aggregators, but we are enabling the clinics, hospitals, and healthcare institutions to run their practice virtually on our platform.”

USP Of Meta16Labs

The platform connects doctors from across the country to consult with patients from rural, semi-urban areas.

Using the platform, patients can connect with doctors via voice and video calling, even with a feature phone, and can receive the prescription via SMS.

Meta16Labs also offers a hospital operating system, Meta hOS, for small or large-sized hospitals.

Meta hOS helps lab and diagnostics centres to store patient data in a safe and secured manner.

The startup’s OPD and telemedicine services are available at a monthly subscription rate of Rs 499 along with pay-per-use.

However, the monthly subscription can vary for big hospitals subscribing for the hospital operating system and depending on the features it needs.

Present Situation of Meta16Labs

As per the startup, it has over 500 doctors on-board and has recorded around 6,000 consultations since March. Also, the startup is being used by doctors across Bengaluru, Shimoga, and Mysore.

Giving future details on the present situation, Anil says,

“Our platform is being used by nine clinics, including solo practice doctors and multispeciality clinics. We are also working with four hospitals, 2,000 OPDs, and four institutions and service companies.”

Future Plans of Meta16Labs

The startup aims to be one of the top 10 healthtech startups in India and is also looking for expansion across the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and in North America.

 Meta16Labs is also looking to record Rs 5 crore MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue) by the end of 2025.

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