Hyderabad-Based Startup Transforms Healthcare Access for NRIs and Indian Patients
Hyderabad, (Telangana) [India], July 7, 2025: The onset of COVID-19 and its pressure it placed on the existing healthcare system revealed the latter’s shortcomings. During this time, Dr. Vannala Raju and co-founder Md. Rahim saw an opportunity to improve healthcare delivery. Under their leadership, VRA Health started as an emergency support for COVID-19 patients and has since developed as a leading telemedicine platform, serving patients globally.
From Crisis to Innovation: The VRA Health Journey
VRA Health was founded in July 2020, in Hyderabad, as a provider of crucial teleconsultations during the pandemic’s peak. As the platform’s success gained traction, it caught the attention of visionary investors Suman Chelumalla (USA) and Sunil Chelumalla (Australia), who now lead international operations and business development, respectively.
“We witnessed firsthand how traditional healthcare systems struggled during COVID,” explains Dr. Raju. “Our mission became clear: make quality healthcare accessible regardless of geographic boundaries.”
Breaking Healthcare Barriers: Life-Saving Teleconsultations
The platform’s impact extends far beyond statistics and innovation to the impact it makes. A 2-year-old Canadian NRI child, suffering from prolonged fever and cough, received prompt pediatric care through VRA Health’s video consultation when local Canadian hospitals had month-long waiting periods. Within three days, medications were delivered, and the child recovered completely.
Similarly, a 58-year-old man from Warangal District avoided a potentially fatal heart attack when VRA Health’s cardiologist identified cardiac blockages through teleconsultation, enabling immediate intervention.
What Sets VRA Health Apart
Unlike conventional telemedicine platforms, VRA Health offers unique advantages:
- 79 expert doctors from prestigious institutes like AIIMS, PGIMER-Chandigarh, and NIMHANS
- Pay-after-acceptance model ensuring guaranteed consultations
- Global medicine delivery within 3 business days
- Specialized NRI services across the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada
- Direct doctor-patient communication throughout treatment
Digital Healthcare Innovation
Staying true to its vision of accessibility, VRA Health’s 2022 Digital Clinic pilot project marked a significant milestone for the platform. The project introduced in Hanamkonda and Hyderabad made it possible to connect elderly patients in tier-2 cities with distant specialists through audio-visual equipped clinics.
The growing impact of teleconsultations is evident as insurance companies increasingly cover them. VRA Health positions itself at the forefront of accessible, quality healthcare delivery for metropolitan Indians and global NRIs aged 20-60.
About VRA Health
Established in 2020, VRA Health is a pioneering telemedicine platform based in Hyderabad, specializing in teleconsultations for Indian patients and Non-Resident Indians worldwide.
