Best practices for transforming healthcare

Minister of IT KT Rama Rao inaugurates three-day ‘Healthcare Summit & Expo’ on Innovations and Advances in the city

• The summit attracts speakers, participants and exhibitors from across the world such as USA, UK, Italy, Greece, China, Egypt, Turkey and others

• Healthcare spending contributes 8 per cent of GDP. The spending is expected to rise by 12 per cent per annum

• Government of Telangana to double budget allocation for healthcare from current level of less than 2 per cent. Also plans to set up Super Speciality Hospitals in each and every district headquarter in the state on the lines of NIMS.

• The Govt is working to get the Medical Council of India to renew the recognition of a medical college in Nizamabad

The three-day Indo-Global Healthcare Summit and Expo on innovations and advances was inaugurated in the city on Friday at Taj Krishna and Taj Deccan by IT and Panchayat Raj minister KT Rama Rao. The meet is jointly organised by Indus Foundation, Government of Telangana, Indian Medical Association, Government of Andhra Pradesh, The Federation of AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) and the Indian Pharmaceutical Association.

SB Anumolu, president, the Indus Foundation, New Jersey, said, “The summit and expo is a unique event for identifying and sharing successful innovative models of healthcare delivery from around the world. The event will help professionals, entrepreneurs, industry players, investors and global institutions to collaborate for taking advantage of the latest innovations and advances.”

Addressing the gathering immediately after the inauguration, KTR said that the priorities of the Government of Telangana was to ensure for the state and people of Telangana, a better life and alleviation of disease.

“Super Speciality hospitals will be set up in each of the state. These will be on the lines of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences. Telangana Government will work in tandem with the Central Government to attain the goal of "Health for all by 2022", he said.

Dr Srinubabu Gedela, president of OMICs Group who was recognised as the scientific partner of the Indo- Global Health Care Summit said, “Hyderabad is the capital of conferences because of affordability and reach. However, if more conferences have to come to the state, the government must reduce taxes. Many developed countries are doing this.”

Dr Arha, chairman, Indus Foundation and former secretary of Government of India, said, “The summit is organised in the backdrop of Indian healthcare industry growth at a rapid pace and it is expected to grow from $70 billion now to $145 billion in 2017 and to $ 280 billion industry by 2020. It recorded a phenomenal 12 per cent growth in the last 4 years.”

Dr Kakarla Subba Rao defined health as not just lack of disease, but physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual well being. “As per the vision document 2020, the government's responsibility is to change sickness services to health services by providing clean air; potable water; nutritious food; hygiene & sanitation and healthy environment.”

Facts about healthcare in India

Nearly one million Indians die every year due to inadequate healthcare facilities and 700 million people have no access to specialist care. 80 per cent of specialists live in urban areas.

Even on manpower front too, India would require investments of up to $ 20 billion over the next five years to reach world standards. Currently, India produces 2,50,000 doctors annually in the modern system of medicine. A higher number of nurses and para-medical professionals and practitioners of Indian systems of medicine and Homoeopathy are also produced. But, manpower shortage will remain for several years to come.

The Indian healthcare sector has emerged as one of the largest service sectors in India. Healthcare spending contributes 8 per cent of GDP. The spending is expected to rise by 12 per cent per annum. This sector employs 9 million people. Rising incomes and growing literacy are likely to drive higher per capita expenditure on healthcare. The diseases trend is shifting from infectious to lifestyle diseases.

Another interesting trend in healthcare sector is medical tourism which has now gained momentum in our country. As overseas patients get quality health services in India for less than half the price prevailing in their countries, India is becoming a popular medical tourist destination in Asia. At present, medical tourism is a $ 2 billion business and is expected to grow substantially in the future.

On display at the expo

Several organisations have exhibited their products and gadgets and medical equipments. The Medical Education and Research Foundation from Nashik exhibited Anatomy Models which is a major attraction.

Also on display is ‘Thermoscan’, a medical instrument that helps to detect diabetes and breast cancer in advance. According to the exhibitor, this is rare and only handful of instruments are available locally. It costs Rs 14 lakh and is developed by a local doctor, C Jayaraj. The expo showcased the best practices in healthcare delivery with the participation of hospitals, healthcare centres and clinics, equipment and devices, pharmaceutical products.