Sector to focus on affordable cures: Healthcare experts

Speaking at the Fourth Global Conclave of Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI), they called integrated care the healthcare model of the future and provided a road map for the delivery of universal health care. 

Dr J Radhakrishnan, TN Principal Secretary (Health) said: “TN’s health sector caters to 6 lakh outpatients and 60,000 in-patients every day, despite having a vibrant private healthcare sector. This high volume shows the scale of the challenge facing the healthcare system. 

More than one lakh doctors are registered in TN. The challenge has now shifted away from healthcare access to patient satisfaction. Dealing with the patient has become key criteria in determining the quality of healthcare delivery.” 

“Patients increasingly prefer hospitals with a human touch and pleasing ambience. Social media has empowered the patients to raise their grievances publicly. Reducing the cost of treatment and preventive healthcare should be the focus areas for the state’s healthcare sector,” he added. 

Dr Girdhar Gyani, Director General, AHPI says: “Integrating public and private resources is essential to provide healthcare for all in India. However, quality in healthcare should remain paramount, but there is always a cost attached to it. We should not rush to a situation where we end up providing affordable but unsafe healthcare to everyone. 

Safety and affordability need to go hand in hand. For this, the Government needs to increase healthcare budget, integrate public and private players, build capacity, incentivise setting up of hospitals in rural areas, harness medical technology and introduce a monitoring and accountability system in healthcare.” 

Said Dr S Gurushankar, President, AHPI – TN Chapter: “The current healthcare system in India is highly fragmented, with different verticals working independently in silos. There is no synergy between different groups involved in patient care. International experience shows that integrated care delivers far better outcomes through higher-quality and more efficient care as well as reduced costs. It is time for India to move towards a healthcare model where all aspects of healthcare are integrated.”