Doctor entrepreneurs seek healthcare management expertise to initiate best practices at clinics: Raj Sehgal
India’s smart doctor promoters are seeking help of professional healthcare management companies to introduce best healthcare management practices in their establishments, said Raj Sehgal associate director, TR Lifesciences.
This is because these clinics encounter challenges even as there are growth prospects. There exists a significant gap in healthcare infrastructure and access, which necessitates attention to establish more advanced, economical and equitable healthcare services in emerging towns and cities, he added.
Healthcare managers in T2 and T3 cities face issues when delivering care to rural and semi-urban populations. While the paying capacity of the population may be less compared with urban pricing, the solutions have to evolve around innovation and affordability. An interesting trend picked up from the ground reality is that since most of the promoters in these cities are doctors themselves, they are seeking healthcare management expertise to initiate best practices at their clinics, Sehgal told Pharmabiz.
The country’s healthcare landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and this metamorphosis is not limited to its metro cities. Tier 2 (T2) and Tier 3 (T3) cities are now emerging as important hubs in healthcare delivery too. A lot of hospital & diagnostic chains have already started sprung up & many are looking at this opportunity through organic & M&A routes, he said.
Digital health initiatives are making substantial inroads into India’s T2 and T3 cities, improving healthcare access. Electronic Health Records, Telehealth platforms, mobile health applications, and innovative tech solutions are now bridging the urban-rural healthcare divide, providing remote regions with the care they deserve.
A key mission that lies underneath for professional healthcare managers is creating awareness about the disease patterns of the area & at the same time awareness about facilities available in the cities. To exemplify, in some areas of Bihar, there is a large red meat eating population & still they are not much aware about the cardiac risks associated with high consumption of it, said Sehgal.
Healthcare managers play a pivotal role in fostering community engagement in T2/T3 cities. Successful community health initiatives including health talks, check-ups/screenings etc at panchayat, pradhan & block levels have emerged as a beacon of hope, promising better healthcare outcomes through awareness and participation.
Ayushman Bharat is great enabler aiming to provide affordable healthcare services. Public-private partnerships are being tailored to meet the specific needs, ensuring expanded healthcare services reach underserved regions. Further integration of traditional medicine and local practices in smaller cities are acknowledging the importance of culturally sensitive care, he noted.
Recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare professionals remain challenging in non-metropolitan areas. Strategies for training and motivating the healthcare workforce in T2/T3 cities are important to bridge this gap. This is because growth of healthcare also impacts economic development of the region, creates jobs and attracts investments also. Innovative healthcare delivery models are gaining traction in smaller cities. Retail clinics, hub & spoke models, transparent pricing etc are some of these enablers & healthcare managers are at the forefront of this transformation, said Sehgal.
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