Dr. Garima Sawhney - Hours of Discussions With My Co-Founders Turned Into Ideas and Pristyn Care Was Born in 2018 (Founder - Pristyn Care)

I am the first doctor in my family. I entered the healthcare industry because I wanted to make a change. My father always says “you have to serve millions, reach millions and impact millions”. This was ingrained in me and that motivated me to do something bigger. I wanted to be a doctor, who was approachable. I wanted to be someone whose patients knew she’d always put them first. Healthcare, currently, is a privilege, but Pristyn is trying to change that perception.

1. Tell us about your upbringing, background, and journey.


For me, it all started off when I was a junior doctor at a hospital. I was treating patients; however, I wasn’t satisfied. I knew I wanted to do more and make a difference. I felt that there was a gap between doctors and patients. I realised that patients didn’t just need a doctor with a prescription pad and a stethoscope, they wanted someone to understand them.

Hours of discussions with my co-founders, Harsh and Dr. Vaibhav, turned into ideas and Pristyn Care was born in 2018. As our ideas grew, I quit my job to devote all my time to Pristyn Care. At that time, leaving my job was fraught with risks. I didn’t know if our efforts will pay off. However, I am so glad they did.



2) Why did you choose to be a doctor?

I am the first doctor in my family. I entered the healthcare industry because I wanted to make a change. My father always says “you have to serve millions, reach millions and impact millions”. This was ingrained in me and that motivated me to do something bigger. I wanted to be a doctor, who was approachable. I wanted to be someone whose patients knew she’d always put them first. Healthcare, currently, is a privilege, but Pristyn is trying to change that perception.



3. We salute your work during the pandemic. Where did you get the inspiration to work so hard?


My patients have always inspired me to do better. Making the world realise the importance of accessible healthcare inspires me. Pristyn distributed PPE and Covid relief kits and didn’t let the pandemic hinder its operations. In fact, we hired more employees and didn’t lay-off anyone. We were the fastest in the country, to reach pre-covid levels.


4. How do you expect digital health to grow over the next 5 years?


India is becoming a digitally empowered economy. These days everyone has mobile phones and that is what should be used to make healthcare available to all. The integration of technology and healthcare can be a catalyst for change. Go-to applications, virtual pharmacies, and doctors’ appointments will definitely increase healthcare accessibility by multi-fold.


5. What are your concerns about digital health?


I feel establishing credibility of the various websites and applications that come into use is a huge challenge. Making patients believe that it will lead to something fruitful is a challenge. All these applications need to be extremely user-friendly and technologically advanced. However, making them available in all the smart phones in even the remote areas is a challenge. However, with detailed planning and efficient utilization of resources, these challenges can be resolved.


6. Can you let us know any one application of Digital Health in your country, which has impressed you?


Practo is very useful and comes in handy while booking appointments. It brought a revolution and introduced people to online scheduling of appointments with doctors. In fact, Pristyn is building an application as well! The app will be ready soon and patients can track their on-going surgical journey, order medications, look for doctors, find tailor- made exercise and diet charts, etc.


7. What is your message for aspiring doctors and the young generation? Which is the best medical college according to you?


I just want to say that being a doctor and being able to serve people is truly a blessing. Becoming a doctor is a lot of hard-work, but the satisfaction you get from this profession is surreal. To the young generation out there – I encourage you all to take up the medical route because you will not only be responsible for people’s health, but also India’s well-being. To accelerate the growth of healthcare in India, it is important to have good, young doctors, who understand technology, healthcare, and can combine both to form the three As of healthcare: accessibility, affordability, and approachability.


8. What does your typical day look like and what do you like to do besides work?


I honestly, am extremely involved in my work. Exploring new ideas everyday on how to make patient experience much more better and the Best at Pristyn Care is something on which me and my team experiments daily.Treating patients and helping them out is the best part about my day. Besides that, I absolutely love to meet and talk to new people. I like to explore – going out & having new experiences, and traveling from time to time.

This interview is sponsored by Plus91 Technologies, a leading Digital Health firm.