FICCI HEAL 2024: NITI Aayog Calls for Stronger State-Private Healthcare Collaboration
The two-day FICCI HEAL 2024 conference concluded on Wednesday with a strong focus on State-Private Sector Collaboration for Better Healthcare in India. Centered around the theme ‘Swasth Bharat, Viksit Bharat,’ the event brought together healthcare leaders, policymakers, and innovators dedicated to building a healthier and more resilient India. Day 2’s sessions were aimed at advancing primary healthcare, addressing pressing challenges in women’s cancer care, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare education.In a plenary session, (Hony) Brig Dr Arvind Lal, Chair of the FICCI Swasth Bharat Task Force and Executive Chairman of Dr Lal PathLabs, highlighted the critical role of primary healthcare in strengthening the nation’s health system.
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Primary healthcare is essential for delivering universal healthcare to the population, Dr. Lal noted. By implementing a hub-and-spoke model for diagnostics and utilizing a Lab Information Management System (LIMS), his team has achieved impressive results, including a 300% increase in test volumes and a 220% rise in patient reach at the CHC Sarojini Nagar hub lab. Dr. Lal emphasized that with over 70,000 tests completed since 2021 and further expansion planned, this initiative exemplifies State-Private Sector Collaboration for Better Healthcare through sustainable, high-quality services.
Rajesh Bhushan, former Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, discussed infrastructure challenges and innovative strategies to improve healthcare access nationwide. Key themes included transparency, ethics, and building trust within the healthcare ecosystem. During the session on healthcare governance, speakers stressed the importance of accountability and ethical practices to strengthen patient rights and improve healthcare outcomes in India.
The government of Uttar Pradesh also showcased its achievements in primary healthcare, with over 21,000 Ayushman RRT members now operational across the state. Principal Secretary for Health & Family Welfare, Mr. Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, highlighted that while progress has been substantial, challenges such as capacity building, community mobilization, and adapting rural models to urban settings remain. He pointed out that State-Private Sector Collaboration for Better Healthcare will play a crucial role in advancing innovative solutions like tele-diagnostics, which are essential for enhancing healthcare in diverse settings.
NITI Aayog’s Senior Adviser, Rajib Kumar, underscored the need to shift from a focus solely on accessibility to a focus on quality improvement in healthcare. “While improvements in accessibility and affordability are significant, enhancing healthcare quality is now essential,” he stated. State-Private Sector Collaboration for Better Healthcare is particularly important, as the private sector can drive innovation in predictive technologies and artificial intelligence to address emerging health challenges. Scalable solutions like telemedicine and advanced diagnostics, he added, are critical for overcoming healthcare challenges, especially in urban areas.
This focus on quality was also evident in the discussions around medical education. Dr. Vijay Oza, Acting Chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC), outlined regulatory reforms to better equip future healthcare professionals with the skills needed to address upcoming challenges. “The NMC has introduced reforms that include defining qualifications more clearly, creating specialized postdoctoral fellowships, and setting higher educational standards,” Dr. Oza explained, all part of a broader agenda that aligns with State-Private Sector Collaboration for Better Healthcare.
Dr. Suchita Markan, Scientist and Mission In-charge at ICMR, emphasized the role of digital health innovation in improving patient care and healthcare delivery. “Our aim is to connect innovators with opportunities and partnerships that advance accessible, high-quality healthcare,” she said. State-Private Sector Collaboration for Better Healthcare is seen as a vital pathway to support India’s vision of ‘Swasth Bharat, Viksit Bharat.’
In reaffirming its commitment to State-Private Sector Collaboration for Better Healthcare, FICCI HEAL 2024 provided a roadmap for uniting healthcare stakeholders and fostering sustainable reform and innovation in India’s healthcare sector. As India’s premier healthcare forum, the conference continues to serve as a transformative platform for catalyzing meaningful change and improving the quality of life for all citizens.
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