A day-long National Healthcare Management Conclave conducted by the ASCI’s Centre for Healthcare Management witnessed enlightening speeches, resourceful presentations and lively discussions on November 20, 2015.
Padmashree Dr B.Soma Raju, renowned cardiologist and Chairman, Care Group of Hospitals, in the inaugural, set the tone for the Conclave by posing a question to the audience: “‘How many of you think that you are safe in hospitals?”
Even as majority of them felt that they were not feeling safe in hospitals, the world-renowned cardiologist listed out six key issues—safety, efficiency, patient-centeredness, timeliness, effectiveness and equitability and said: “With technology came new problems. When people think that hospitals are not safe, we definitely need to adopt innovations.” In this backdrop, Dr.Soma Raju observed that the Conclave is ‘well-founded.’
“Not only poor but also rich don’t get proper care in the system we are working. Since third party pays for it, there are a lot of unnecessary procedures in place,” he observed. He drew the attention of the audience to how complex the healthcare system had become with several stakeholders in it
The ASCI Journal of Management – special issue on Healthcare- was released by Dr Soma Raju in the presence of the former NIMS Director Dr.Kakarla Subba Rao, ASCI Director General Mr.Ravi Kant, Dean of Training Programs Dr.Usha Ramachandra, ASCI’s Healthcare Management faculty Dr.Bhawna Gulati.
Dr. M. Chandrashekhar, CEO, Aarogyashri Healthcare Trust, Dr. Balaji Utla Ex CEO HMRI, Dr. Hemanth, Vice Chairman, Century Hospital, Dr. R.P.Singh, CEO, Indo American Cancer Hospital, Dr.Vishnu Reddy, COO, Yashoda Hospital, Dr. Hemalatha Rangachari, eminent Gynaecologist, Dr. Guruva Reddy, MD & CEO, Sunshine Hospital, Mr. Tarun Siripurarpu, Founder & MD, The Birthplace, Mr. Venkat Chengavalli, Dr.Malini Reddy took part in panel discussions.
While Mr.Anand Apte, MD, B.Bruan, said that PPP models in the healthcare should be developed to ensure affordability, accessibility and perfect infrastructure, Dr.M.Chandrasekhar, CEO Arogyasri, explained the pros and cons of PPP models.
“Till 2011, road accidents were the highest in China but India took the first place by 2013. Hyderabad city ranks fourth in India. So, a PPP model is mandatory to establish level one trauma center (basic stabilization). Later the patient can be shifted to tertiary care if needed,” Dr.Chandrasekhar added.
Sharing his experiences in innovations, Dr. Balaji Utla, CEO of HMRI, maintained that tertiary care had taken over the ‘non-sexy’ part of primary and preventive care. According to him, any innovation should answer the question “how to reduce inequity in healthcare.”
Dr. Abhijeet, Cardiothoracic Surgeon from Century Hospitals, opined that health administrators have lot of scope to enter into public health.
Mr. RP Singh, CEO Indo-American Cancer Research Institute, said that innovation is required in any industry to survive and listed out the achievements of his organization implementing innovative ideas.
Dr. Vishnu Reddy, COO Yashoda Hospitals, made a parallel between western and Indian healthcare sectors and said: “India provides health care services at a very low cost with less waiting time and high quality treatments. Indian hospitals cost 95% less than US counter parts.”
Dr. Guruva Reddy, MD & CEO Sunshine hospital, added wit in a session on Marketing by saying, three kinds of people are required for setting up a hospital, i.e, friends, family and fools to trust you.
Mr. Venkat Chengavalli said: “In healthcare marketing, the patient discharge should be very delightful for a successful word of mouth.”
To a pertinent question put forward by the Chair of the concluding session, Dr.Malini Reddy as to “How to achieve success in service providing?” the guests’ response was as follows:
Mr. Tarun: Data and scientific approach
Mr. Venkat: Copy the successful procedures and paste in the right situations.
Dr. Guruva Reddy: Hit through the heart.
Mr. Mahesh Kalra: Quality.
The valedictory session had yet another stalwart from the Healthcare sector Dr. M.I. Sahadullah, Chairman, KIMS Hospital, Trivendrum who spoke on how it was important to have a human touch in our approach as that could be the greatest marketing strategy for any organization. The Guest of honour Dr. Kakarla Subbarao speaking at the valedictory highlighted the importance of integrity in approach when in healthcare.
The Conclave idea, proposed by the students of PGDHM, was facilitated and guided by Dr. Bhawna Gulati, Dr. Subodh Kandamuthan and Mrs Padmashree of the ASCI’s Healthcare Management Centre.