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Dr. Devi Shetty’s take on the way forward on World Health Day
Bangalore April 3, 2009: Each year on April 7th, the World Health Day, celebrated across the globe with thousands of events mark the importance of health for productive and happy lives. As the Day is just round the corner issues and concerns about health seem to show more on the mind-radar.
India’s healthcare industry is estimated at Rs 1,500 billion or USD 34 billion. But there still exists a lack of comprehensive, quality healthcare. Statistics show that about 36000 doctors are trained every year, this number should increase to at least 1 lac doctors to improve patient-doctor ratio.
In the wake of the current scenario renowned cardiac surgeon and Chairman of Narayana Hrudayalaya Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty addresses the solution to ensure quality healthcare that is targeted at the masses.
“The absence of awareness and affordability are the biggest concerns that the healthcare industry is faced with today”, said Dr. Shetty. “Even though cost of healthcare in our country is much less than what it is in rest of the world, the problem of affordability still looms large. This is where micro health insurance schemes have proven extremely beneficial.”
The Yeshaswini Micro Health Insurance Scheme is a brain-child of Narayana Hrudayalaya that has proved that it is possible to offer healthcare with only five rupees a month and get even a heart operation done. Evidently a public-private partnership has yet again worked to yield the optimum results.
”The Government also has to take added responsibility. Advertising to create awareness about common ailments diabetes, hypertension, and ill effects of smoking is imperative”, added Dr. Shetty. “There is a need to increase the number of medical and paramedical educational institutions. Easy educational loans and repayment options will help students to explore various options in the medical industry and shape their career. While policy makers have taken note of this, the requirement for collaterals for disbursing a loan may discourage aspiring students.”
Narayana Hrudayalaya firmly believes that actions speak louder than words. Their expansion plans aim at achieving their motto-- “To reach out and bring world class health care services, education and training to the community around us”.
Working along the same principle Dr. Shetty said, “Our role is to create 5000-bed Health Cities in every state capital of the country with the intension to achieve 30,000 beds by the next 5 years. Currently about 10% of the heart surgery done in India is done by our group. We want to drive higher volumes to ensure affordable healthcare.”
The potential of health services sector is immense in India as there are more than 140 million upper and middle class, growing at over four per cent per annum with combined annual income of over Rs 820,000 crore. To witness a successful revolution in healthcare, the need to bring about consolidation within the public and private sectors is undeniable.
For this cause Dr. Shetty promises to ensure that Narayana Hrudayalaya hospitals will be there in every city, every state capital in every town and we would like to be offering primary healthcare in the villages within the next seven years.
NEWS
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