Since the global pandemic in 2019, telemedicine has become an essential tool within India’s healthcare ecosystem. Beyond primary care or general consultations, one of the areas where this technology is having the greatest impact is in reproductive health and fertility, particularly in the country’s rural regions.
A gap that defines access to healthcare
While major cities have private hospitals and fertility clinics, in many villages across northern and central India, couples still depend on local midwives or long journeys of several hours to access a gynaecologist. According to data from the Ministry of Health, more than 65% of women in rural areas lack direct access to specialised services. This reality affects both prevention and family planning, as well as fertility treatments for women in Rewa and other regions of the country.
Startups bridging the distance
The rise of digital health platforms such as Practo, mfine or 1mg is helping to close this gap. Video calls with specialists, e-prescriptions, and remote follow-ups allow women in small towns to receive real-time guidance without the need to travel. In addition, the arrival of low-cost smartphones and improved connectivity has accelerated this transformation.
Digital fertility: beyond consultation
There are now reproductive health platforms as Simple Eros, offering educational content on intimate care and wellbeing, as well as mobile applications that allow menstrual cycle tracking, medication reminders or the interpretation of basic tests. Fertility clinics already offer hybrid consultations, where initial guidance and part of the treatment are carried out online, reducing costs and waiting times.
However, the digital literacy gap limits access for older women. The lack of privacy in rural households complicates consultations on sensitive issues such as infertility. Furthermore, India’s legal framework for telemedicine is still under construction, raising concerns about the protection of health data.
A market with millions of potential users
Telemedicine applied to reproductive health is emerging as one of the most promising niches in India’s digital health sector. Startups that manage to adapt to the cultural and technological context of rural areas will have an immense opportunity ahead. In addition, AI is beginning to be integrated, albeit slowly, for preliminary diagnostics, integration with low-cost wearables, and the creation of community telemedicine centres.
Undoubtedly, telemedicine in fertility not only reduces inequalities but also redefines how Indian couples perceive medical care. If the country manages to overcome challenges of access, privacy and regulation, rural India could move from being behind in reproductive services to becoming a driver of technological innovation.