Medico.com eyes India for online health information

Medico.com, Inc., a global health-focused Internet company has launched Medico.in, a platform for Indian consumers to source health information, and to become well-informed and active drivers of their own health. After getting over whelming response in Spain & USA, the company has now forayed into Indian market. The portal with high quality health reference information, community features, and a powerful question and answer platform will allow users to take advantage of the experience of others. Medico.in is free for users to share information, and to ask and answer questions.

Leading venture capital firms such as First Round Capital, FirstMark Capital, Greylock, Nexus Venture Partners, and prominent angel investors backs Medico.com, Inc..

ElanDekel, Founder and CEO, Medico.com has spent six years at Google, where he was responsible for Google’s Product Management in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He founded Medico.in as he realised the need of Indian consumers for authentic online health information.

According to ElanDekel, more than one third Indians (39 per cent) go online for health information. The high cost of face-to-face consultations with medical professionals may be one reason for this, with the internet being seen as a cheaper alternative. More young people (in the age 18-24 and 25-34 bracket) have used social media to find out about health.18 per cent of respondents were using social networking sites to find out about healthcare issues.

With the increase in demand of online healthcare needs, most of the top healthcare websites are largely geared towards the scientific and academic communities and individuals from India.