Shashank ND - The Progress Catalyst

Pioneering healthtech with Practo

Shashank ND is a health-tech entrepreneur, innovator, and co-founder of Practo, India’s leading digital healthcare platform. His vision of leveraging technology to make healthcare accessible, efficient, and patient-centric has revolutionised how Indians access doctors, medical records, and telemedicine services. With a background in engineering and business strategy, Shashank ND, a progress catalyst, has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s digital healthcare ecosystem, expanding Practo’s footprint across multiple countries.

Nationality: Indian

Date of Birth: 1981

Hometown: Gujarat

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from NIT Surathkal

Employment History: Co-founder & CEO of Practo (2008–Present)

Under his leadership, Practo has become a global leader in digital healthcare, serving millions of patients and healthcare providers across India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

Shashank ND, transforming healthcare

Shashank ND’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2008, when he founded Practo alongside Abhinav Lal, driven by the frustration of managing medical records and accessing reliable healthcare information. His vision was to simplify the healthcare experience for both patients and doctors through a tech-driven, cloud-based platform.

Practo started as a SaaS-based practice management software for doctors, helping them digitise patient records, manage appointments, and streamline clinic operations. Over the years, it has expanded into:

Online doctor consultations (Practo Consult)
E-pharmacy services
Health check-ups & diagnostics
Digital healthcare records
AI-driven health analytics

With over 30 crore (300 million) patients served and 100,000+ doctors listed, Practo has become India’s most comprehensive healthcare platform, integrating hospitals, clinics, and telemedicine services to ensure seamless patient care.

Impact Maker Shashank ND

Shashank ND - The Progress Catalyst (source: rediff.com)

Shashank ND’s impact on the healthcare sector is profound, as he has digitised patient care, empowered healthcare providers, and made quality healthcare accessible across India.

His tech-first approach to healthcare has allowed millions to book appointments online, consult doctors remotely, and store medical records securely on a single platform. This has been particularly game-changing for rural and semi-urban populations, where access to specialist healthcare is limited.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Practo emerged as a lifeline for telemedicine, enabling millions of people to consult doctors virtually, reducing the burden on hospitals and ensuring continuity of care. His leadership has bridged the gap between healthcare services and digital adoption, making healthcare smarter, faster, and more patient-centric.

Additionally, his collaborations with government health bodies, hospitals, and insurance companies have further strengthened India’s digital health infrastructure, paving the way for future-ready medical ecosystems.

Change Maker Shashank ND

Shashank ND has disrupted traditional healthcare practices by introducing a digital-first model, removing inefficiencies in doctor discovery, patient record management, and online consultations. His ability to blend healthcare with AI, data analytics, and cloud computing has set new benchmarks in India’s health-tech industry.

His leadership has driven:

AI-based doctor recommendations – Helping patients find the best doctors based on symptoms, reviews, and specialisations.
EHR (Electronic Health Records) adoption – Encouraging hospitals and clinics to digitise patient records for better diagnosis and treatment.
Expansion into global markets – Scaling Practo’s presence to Southeast Asia, Brazil, and the Middle East, ensuring affordable healthcare solutions worldwide.

Through these innovations, he has eliminated inefficiencies in India’s healthcare system, making Practo a trusted platform for patients, doctors, and healthcare providers.

Progress Catalyst Shashank ND

Beyond transforming digital healthcare, Shashank ND is shaping the future of global health-tech. His commitment to investing in AI-powered diagnostics, digital prescriptions, and predictive healthcare models is setting new industry standards.

His focus on preventive healthcare has led to:

Practo’s AI-powered symptom checker, helping users identify health issues early.
Health & wellness initiatives, encouraging corporate and individual healthcare plans.
Partnerships with insurers, allowing cashless digital health services.

As Practo continues to expand into newer segments like mental health, elder care, and wearable tech, Shashank’s vision for a globally integrated healthcare system is driving long-term progress in digital medicine.

With a long-term goal of making healthcare accessible to every individual, he is leading India’s charge towards a tech-driven, patient-centric medical ecosystem, ensuring affordable and efficient healthcare for future generations.

Achievements

Shashank ND - The Progress Catalyst (source: entrepreneurstoday.in)

Founded Practo in 2008 – Built India’s largest digital healthcare platform, serving 30 crore+ patients.
Expanded Practo into international markets – Now operational in Brazil, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Transformed healthcare accessibility in India – Making online consultations and medical record management mainstream.
Partnered with hospitals, insurers, and government bodies – Strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure.
Implemented AI-driven doctor recommendations and predictive analytics – Enhancing patient experience and diagnosis accuracy.

Awards & Recognitions

Fortune India 40 Under 40 (2022) – Recognised for driving digital healthcare innovation.
Forbes India Leadership Award (2017) – Honoured for expanding health-tech solutions across India.
YourStory Tech30 Entrepreneur Award – For scaling Practo into a global healthcare platform.
ET Start-up of the Year (2019) – Recognised for advancing AI-based health diagnostics.
BW Businessworld Young Entrepreneur Award – For contributions to health-tech disruption in India.