GA Releases Inaugural Report on Health Care in Emerging Markets: Ping An Good Doctor Exemplifies How Internet Healthcare Enhances Medical Service Quality in China

Recently, the Geneva Association (GA), a globally recognized authoritative think tank in the insurance sector, released its latest analytical report, “Healthcare in Emerging Markets: Exploring the Protection Gap” (hereinafter referred to as the “Report”).

The Report posits that leveraging internet technology to support medical services in emerging markets will significantly enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery and expand the scope of treatment services. Furthermore, the Report provides an in-depth analysis of the service model and network of Ping An Good Doctor, China’s largest online healthcare platform, asserting that internet healthcare companies represented by such platforms have played a positive role in improving the quality of healthcare services in China.

The International Insurance Economics Association, also known as the “Geneva Association,” was established in 1973 and comprises CEOs of leading insurance companies worldwide. It aims to grasp the trajectory of industry development and forecast trends by analyzing major strategic issues arising during the growth of the insurance sector. The Report released this time marks the Association’s inaugural analysis in this field. By examining the current supply-and-demand structure and funding sources for healthcare services in emerging markets, it offers solutions to promote the sustainable development of global healthcare services.

The Report cites Ping An Good Doctor as a key case study to illustrate the development of China’s internet healthcare sector. Ping An Good Doctor has established a nationwide network of healthcare service providers in China, covering more than 3,000 hospitals, 1,100 health examination centers, 500 dental clinics, and 7,500 pharmacies. Through its mobile platform, it offers one-stop services including 24/7 online consultations, referrals, appointment registration, hospitalization arrangements, second medical opinions, and one-hour medication delivery. Currently, Ping An Good Doctor is expanding its services into Southeast Asia by establishing an international joint venture with Grab to meet the region’s growing demand for healthcare services.

Jad Ariss, Secretary-General of the International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics, stated that emerging countries are currently facing a severe shortage of healthcare funding, which will degrade the quality of health services available to citizens and ultimately have adverse effects on their health outcomes. Over the past two decades, driven by accelerating medical expenditures and rising customer demand, the proportion of global healthcare spending to GDP has increased from approximately 8% to nearly 10%. Digital technologies, represented by internet-based healthcare, are being looked upon with high expectations as a catalyst for expanding coverage, improving the quality of medical services, and optimizing costs in emerging nations.

"The Report" holds that internet-based healthcare can significantly expand the reach of local medical services, enabling patients to access health and medical information more quickly and effectively via mobile phones. By leveraging internet-based healthcare, patients can better utilize high-quality health and medical services; service providers (such as hospitals) benefit from improved efficiency and productivity; and payers (such as the government) are helped to achieve effective cost containment.