Over 70% Employees Face Lifestyle-related Health Risks: CII–MediBuddy Report

• Only 20% of employers offer regular health screening

MediBuddy, India’s largest digital healthcare company, in collaboration with CII, today unveiled the second edition of its corporate wellness report, marking a continued effort to decode the evolving landscape of employee well-being in India Inc. The latest edition, titled Workplace Health Reimagined: Corporate India’s Readiness for Digital Health Leadership, highlights how employee wellness is evolving from a peripheral initiative to a strategic lever for workforce productivity, talent retention, and business continuity.

India’s healthcare and workplace wellness landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with wellness emerging as a national priority in the journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. This is being shaped by rising medical inflation (14%), increased chronic disease risk, a digitally empowered workforce, and growing demand for inclusive and preventive care models.

In a post-pandemic world, where hybrid work models have become the norm, organisations are rethinking wellness, placing equal weight on physical and mental health, and moving from episodic to always-on care models. Technology is at the heart of this transformation; AI-driven insights, data-enabled personalisation, and mobile-first platforms are enabling more impactful care delivery. The nation's digital health infrastructure demonstrates remarkable scale. Public health initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and the IRDAI’s push for 100% cashless insurance claims are further accelerating the shift toward digitally integrated, OPD-first healthcare systems. Together, digital infrastructure and insurance are proving to be critical enablers of equitable, future-ready wellness delivery across India.

The report reveals a stark reality of over 70% of employees carrying at least one lifestyle-related health risk, yet only 20% of employers providing routine health screenings. This alarming scenario calls for a shift from episodic, event-based health programs to always-on, digital-first ecosystems that drive workforce productivity, talent retention, and business continuity, all fostering business growth in today’s evolving times of shifting workforce priorities.

Key findings/highlights from the report:

• Macro View: The National Wellness Landscape
• Rising Burden of NCDs: Non-communicable diseases now account for 63% of all deaths in India, with heart disease, diabetes, and stroke impacting the workforce at median ages of 32, 34, and 36, respectively.
• Healthcare Infrastructure Crisis: The doctor-to-population ratio remains below WHO guidelines, with 70% of Indians in rural/semi-urban areas facing significant access barriers to diagnostics and routine care. 
• Healthcare Coverage Crisis: Only 41% of Indian households have any form of health insurance, leaving over 50 crore people, belonging largely from India’s 40-crore “missing middle” population, particularly comprising gig, daily wage, and informal workers, vulnerable to catastrophic health expenses. 
• Low OPD Insurance Penetration: OPD insurance penetration in India remains below 0.1%, a significant gap compared to over 85% in the US and 95% in Singapore, leaving most outpatient expenses uncovered, despite OPD accounting for nearly 70% of out-of-pocket healthcare spending
• High Out-of-Pocket Spending: OOPE accounts for 63% of India’s total health spend. 

Within Workplaces: The Corporate Lens

• Productivity Loss: Presenteeism and chronic illnesses cost Indian companies up to ₹1.12 lakh per employee annually, while structured wellness programs deliver a 3–4x return on investment
• Limited Access to Diagnostics: Less than 20% of corporate health programs cover essential diagnostics, despite their role in 60–70% of clinical decisions
• Low Preventive Screening for Women: Only 1.9% of eligible Indian women undergo cervical cancer screening, and just 36% of corporates provide targeted wellness benefits for women
• Gaps in Women-Centric Benefits: Just 36% of corporates offer targeted wellness benefits for women, with even fewer extending support for eldercare and mental health. 
• Lifestyle Risks and Screening Gaps: Over 70% of employees have at least one lifestyle-related risk factor, yet only 20% of employers provide routine health screenings. 
• SMEs Lag in Wellness Coverage: Although SMEs employ over 111 million people, only 9% offer structured wellness programs. 
• Corporate Wellness Readiness: India’s average Corporate Wellness Quotient (CWQ) score stands at 55/100, with fewer than 15% of companies achieving a ‘Mature’ wellness readiness level

Satish Kannan, Co-founder & CEO, MediBuddy, said, “India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 cannot rest on economic metrics alone; it must be built on the health, productivity, and well-being of its people. As we stand at this inflection point, employee wellness can no longer be treated as an optional benefit but must be considered a strategic imperative. With rising health risks and evolving workforce expectations, this report in collaboration with CII offers actionable insights and data-driven frameworks to help organisations transition from annual health camps to always-on, digital-first ecosystems. At MediBuddy, we are happy to support this transformation by delivering care that is proactive, personalised, and powered by technology.”

Insights from the report: Trends reshaping care culture

The report highlights how employee wellness in India is moving beyond one-size-fits-all health programs to more integrated, inclusive, personalised, and digitally powered wellness solutions. Employees now expect benefits that reflect their life, role, and risk profile across domains such as mental health, chronic care, eldercare, and preventive screenings. At the same time, employee engagement is being increasingly driven by features such as gamified health journeys and wellness wallets. Additionally, mobile-first platforms and OPD access for dependents are now becoming differentiators in how employees engage with corporate wellness programs, with inclusion-focused benefits becoming key in addressing diverse workforce needs.

To direct this shift, the report introduces the Corporate Wellness Quotient (CWQ), an original and comprehensive benchmarking tool measuring digital wellness maturity and readiness across four pillars: access & affordability, policy integration, digital enablement, and employee engagement; and the ten-step wellness blueprint, which offers companies a strategic roadmap to build resilient and inclusive care ecosystems.

About MediBuddy

MediBuddy has always been at the forefront of India’s digital healthcare transformation. The digital healthcare company has a partner network of 125,000+ doctors across 22+ specialities, 7,500+ hospitals and clinics, 7,700+ diagnostic centres, and 10,000+ pharmacies, along with a team size of 2,300+ members. Serving 100,000+ lives per day, it has created an integrated healthcare ecosystem that offers patients seamless access anytime and anywhere, 24x7, 365 days a year. With its healthcare services available in 16 Indian languages to enable customer-friendly consultation, MediBuddy is bridging the urban-rural quality healthcare divide. MediBuddy offers online and offline doctor consultations, medicine delivery, lab tests at home, mental health consultations, and surgery care, among other healthcare services.

Anaemia Rates in Urban Workforce Fall to 12.14%: MediBuddy Study Highlights Impact of Screenings and Preventive Care

MediBuddy, India’s largest digital healthcare company, has released new research data revealing a significant drop in Anaemia among urban working women—driven by better preventive care, timely screenings, and improved nutrition awareness.

The study, which analysed health records from 4,397 urban corporate employees, found that 32.67% of women surveyed were anaemic—a significant reduction compared to the national urban average of 56.5% reported by National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5, 2019–21) for women aged 15–49. Among male employees, our research shows anaemia prevalence was just 5.63%, and NFHS-5 data also shows the urban average is lower of 25% for men in the same age group.

This improvement is attributed to factors such as rising health literacy, regular screenings, timely interventions, and expanded access to corporate wellness programs promoting balanced diets.

According to the study, working women aged 40–50 emerged as the most vulnerable group, making up 26.44% of all anaemic female respondents, likely due to age-related hormonal changes and higher nutritional needs. Among men, the 40–50 age group also reported the highest incidence (4.40%), suggesting age-related lifestyle and dietary factors may influence anaemia risk for both genders.

On a state-wise level, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of anaemic employees (3.66% of the total sample), followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. However, several states, including Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, demonstrated relatively low anaemia prevalence—highlighting regional disparities and the influence of local healthcare programs and outreach efforts.

Despite regional and gender gaps, the overall data suggests a positive trajectory in urban employee health in terms of anaemia.

MediBuddy study shows that anaemia prevalence among urban employees has dropped to just 12.14% over the last five years—a significant improvement compared to the 40%+ national average reported in NFHS-5 (2019–21). This decline reinforces the positive impact of improved health literacy and early interventions, especially through regular health check-ups, across the urban workforce.

Dr. Gowri Kulkarni, Head of Medical Operations, MediBuddy, highlighting the importance of early action, said, "The reduction in anaemia prevalence among urban women is an encouraging indicator that corporate India is waking up to the importance of preventive healthcare. Increased access to regular health check-ups, workplace nutrition initiatives, and timely diagnosis has allowed many women to better manage and reverse nutrient deficiencies. However, continued efforts are needed to bridge the gap completely—especially for those in the most vulnerable age groups."

MediBuddy’s findings reinforce the need for continued investment in preventive health through routine blood tests, iron supplementation programs, and dietary consultations.

HealthTech MediBuddy Secures $18 Mn in Funding from Existing Investors Quadria Capital, Lightrock and TEAMFund

MediBuddy Secures $18 Million Funding to Drive Strategic Acquisitions and Continued Expansion

Existing Investors Quadria Capital, Lightrock, and Teamfund demonstrates confidence with reinvestment

MediBuddy, India's largest digital healthcare platform, secures additional funding of $18 million, reaffirming unwavering support from the existing investors Quadria Capital, Lightrock, and TEAMFund. This infusion of equity capital, amplifies MediBuddy's steadfast dedication to growth and expansion through strategic acquisitions.

In February 2022, MediBuddy raised an impressive $125 million during the Series C funding. The recent additional funding puts MediBuddy in a solid position to navigate the current landscape and achieve its ambitious growth targets over the next three years. A formidable portion of these funds shall be meticulously channelled into strategic acquisitions and fortifying its existing offerings, synergistically harmonising with MediBuddy's visionary trajectory and enabling exponential growth.

Mr. Satish Kannan, Co-Founder and CEO of MediBuddy, said, "Our continued partnership with all our investors has been instrumental in MediBuddy's growth and is helping us solve India's healthcare needs. MediBuddy's growth trajectory has consistently achieved a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 95.5% over the past three years. The additional funds will be critical in driving our strategic acquisition initiatives, further expanding our reach, and enhancing the depth and breadth of our services. At MediBuddy, our constant endeavour has been to make high quality healthcare accessible to a billion people. This move further solidifies our stance as a market leader in the digital healthcare landscape."

This growth has been fuelled by its presence in both Corporate and Retail domains. Two of MediBuddy’s recent strategic acquisitions, such as Clinix, an online medical consultation platform focusing on rural India, and US-based Aetna Inc’s vHealth by Aetna business (Indian Health Organization Pvt Ltd), have further amplified its presence in the healthcare domain.

As MediBuddy continues to stride confidently towards sustained profitability, this recent funding reinforces its status as a frontrunner in the health-tech industry. MediBuddy helps 35,000+ users every day, and critical factors such as easy access to a specialist doctor in 10 minutes, 24/7, 365 days a year, increased convenience, prompt delivery of services, and widespread awareness have sparked a visible growth in online doctor consultations for the platform. MediBuddy currently has an existing customer base of 3 Cr+ Indians. The company's ability to secure substantial funding and maintain a balanced growth trajectory is a testament to its vision and operational excellence.

MediBuddy has always been at the forefront of India’s digital healthcare transformation. The digital healthcare platform has a partner network of 90,000+ doctors across 22+ specialities, 7,100+ hospitals and clinics, 4,000+ diagnostic centres, 2,500+ pharmacies along with a team size of 2200+ members. It has created an integrated healthcare ecosystem that offers patients seamless access anytime and anywhere in 10 minutes. With its healthcare services available in 16 Indian languages to enable customer-friendly consultation, MediBuddy is bridging the Urban-Rural quality healthcare divide. MediBuddy offers online and offline doctor consultations, medicine delivery, lab tests at home, mental health consultations, surgery care, among other healthcare services.

MediBuddy Launches Free Consultation Donation Campaign

Partners with Milaap to raise funds and provide free doctor consultations to get a step closer to safer India

National, 9th June 2021: The devastating wave of the coronavirus pandemic that has overburdened the nation’s healthcare infrastructure has stretched it to its fullest capacity. The primary healthcare focus across states continues to remain on arranging COVID-19 treatment for patients and aftercare.

Standing in solidarity and lending its complete support, MediBuddy, India’s largest digital healthcare platform has joined hands with the Milaap, South Asia’s largest crowdfunding platform to start a Free Consultation Donation campaign. The campaign aims to provide free COVID consultations to those in need and also for those families that have been affected by the dreadful pandemic.

For every donation made via the Milaap platform, MediBuddy pledges to match the amount and donate consultation to people. Milaap in the last one year has raised more than INR 250 Crore for medical causes including emergency medical care. The platform's donor base spread across the globe gives the deserving visibility for an urgent need.

In times like these, it is extremely important that people receive timely care and guidance from a medical professional. By providing free doctor consultations, MediBuddy aspires to ensure that no individual would be deprived of medical help and proper treatment. This also allows individuals to avail consultations safely from the comfort of their homes at anytime from anywhere. Moreover, it reduces the burden on the healthcare infrastructure that is currently looking after the critically ill.

Commenting on the initiative, Satish Kannan, Co-founder & CEO, MediBuddy said -- 

In critical times like these, it is important that we collectively come forward and make efforts for the welfare of our nation. It is vital that people consult medical professionals and receive timely treatment and guidance under their diligent care. With this initiative, we hope to reach COVID-19 patients in need, provide them with free consultations and required care.

Mr. Satish Kannan, Co-founder & CEO, MediBuddy

To Donate a Consultation - Free Doctor Consultations For People With COVID Symptoms | Milaap

MediBuddy with its high-quality services has been accelerating the digital healthcare infrastructure by providing accessible services from online doctor consultations, booking lab tests, ordering medicines and much more from the comfort of their homes. They recently announced that they would be facilitating vaccinations for over 700 corporates that support 15 million employees and their dependents through vaccination camps which would be set either in their office or at any MediBuddy partnered hospital. For which they have tied up with 350+ top hospitals across 130 cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Noida, and Kochi.

Amid the second wave, MediBuddy has also launched several initiatives such as Hospital Bed Availability Tracker, a 24x7 helpline number and a Coronavirus Risk Assessment Tool to help tackle the surge of coronavirus infection and contribute its bit in combating the virus.

Healthtech Startups DocsApp, MediBuddy Merge; Raise ~ ₹ 150 Cr in Funding

Health-tech startup DocsApp and digital consumer healthcare provider MediBuddy on Thursday announced their merger to create a comprehensive digital healthcare platform named 'MediBuddy DocsApp'.

The merged entity has raised USD 20 million (around Rs 150 crore) in Series B round of funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners, Fusian Capital, Mitsui Sumitomo (MSIVC) & Beyond Next ventures, MediBuddy DocsApp said in a statement.

Existing investors including Milliways Ventures and Rebright Partners also participated in this round, it added. 

"This combined entity will offer a comprehensive platform to our customers that delivers on the promise of a digital healthcare future. As first-movers, we are confident that we will establish market leadership and fulfil our mission to provide quality healthcare to every Indian,"  MediBuddy DocsApp CEO Satish Kannan said. 

The platforms will continue to focus on enabling healthcare services like online specialist doctor consultations, lab tests, preventive health checks, delivery of medicines etc to customers across India, the statement said.

The joint entity will utilize the funding in further strengthening its doctor base, patient reach, product and technology to move a step closer to its mission of providing high-quality healthcare to a billion people, it added. 

"As a result of its targeted solutions and exceptional metrics, DocsApp has achieved a leadership position. We are pleased to be a part of this growth journey and believe that the merger with MediBuddy is the boost it requires to provide quality healthcare to all," Bessemer Venture Partners MD Vishal Gupta said. 

The combined entity is servicing the healthcare needs of over 3 crore Indians, with a partner network of over 90,000 doctors, 7,000 hospitals, 3,000 diagnostic centres and 2,500 pharmacies across the country, the statement said.