Healthtech startup CureBay revolutionizes affordable healthcare in remote areas

CureBay has helped more than 10,000 patients since its inception in 2021. Around 17 e-clinics are currently operating in Odisha.

CureBay is a Bhubaneswar-based healthtech startup founded in 2021 by Priyadarshi Mohapatra, Shobhan Mahapatra, and Sanjay Swain. It was established in response to the glaring inequality in healthcare services across India, which became even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. While people in metropolitan cities had access to multi-speciality hospitals, those in rural areas, comprising 65% of India's population, struggled to access quality healthcare. CureBay aims to bridge this gap by providing last-mile distribution of primary healthcare services to medically underserved areas.

The startup operates on a hybrid model that combines technology and a network of e-clinics. This is to make quality healthcare accessible to people in small towns and villages. It offers teleconsultations, medicine delivery, appointment scheduling, diagnostic services, and facilitates admissions to tertiary care at partner hospitals. It does this through a transparent booking model and concierge services. CureBay serves as the bridge between patients in rural areas and highly-qualified doctors by arranging on-the-spot video calls and providing follow-up calls to action such as pathology tests and medicine availability in remote locations.

CureBay's three-tier model consists of a hub-and-spoke network supported by satellite healthcare centers. The hub-and-spoke network is a centrally managed system that leverages artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and investment from angel investors to provide high-quality services at low costs. Satellite healthcare centers are strategically located in remote areas to enhance rural reach and accessibility. The startup follows a revenue-sharing model with all service providers, ensuring "dignity of care" for both patients and healthcare professionals.

To ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, CureBay equips its e-clinics with medical-grade devices and employs two trained healthcare professionals in each center. These professionals guide patients to the right doctor via video consultations and assist in obtaining prescribed medicines with dedicated riders. Trained staff also collect samples from patients' doorsteps for diagnostic tests. By utilizing technology, CureBay enables doctors to access detailed and personalized patient records, allowing for diagnoses equivalent to physical consultations.

The startup charges a consultation fee of Rs 100 per patient and has seen over 10,000 patients on its platform. It has an average patient spend of more than Rs 600. It has partnered with 15 hospitals in Odisha and three national laboratory chains to provide specialized treatment and diagnostic services.

Having raised $1.5 million in initial funding and $6.1 million in a Series A round, CureBay aims to expand its operations to other cities and states facing similar challenges in providing primary healthcare services in rural areas. The startup has also introduced a membership program to make healthcare services more accessible and affordable for disadvantaged sections of society.

With the Indian healthcare market projected to grow significantly, CureBay positions itself as a pioneer in addressing the healthcare gap. It also improves remote districts' life expectancy. By leveraging technology, a network of e-clinics, and partnerships with hospitals and laboratories, CureBay strives to bring quality healthcare services to underserved populations across India.