India - Healthcare industry needs land at institutional rates

New Delhi: Delhi health minister A.K. Walia today urged the Centre to provide land at institutional rates for meeting the increasing needs of healthcare industry and encourage accreditation based on optimum standards to prioritise quality services at affordable costs.

The city has 24,000 beds in government hospitals and 18,000 in private hospitals with nearly 40 per cent of patients coming from neighbouring states, he said while addressing a conference organised by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

"Delhi government would like to add about 12 hospitals and at least three medical colleges in the near future as new lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cancer and cardiovascular diseases," said Mr Walia. More private institutes are also needed but fresh investments are not pouring in due to lack of fiscal incentives by the government.

Increased market forces, medical tourism, insurance and the booming corporate sector have compelled greater demand for quality healthcare services, said the minister. "We need standardisation of services, effective regulation and professional accountability so that healthcare organisations pursue continual excellence."

Meanwhile, member of the Planning Commission Syeda Hameed said healthcare and education will be the most important sectors to focus on during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). The commission's steering committee has recommended that innovative models on quality checks and quality assurance mechanisms should be tried and scaled up immediately.

"At the same time, healthcare infrastructure facilities should be shared to optimise on capital and recurring costs. There is also need to support formation of a single cadre to enforce all regulations in the sector."

Dr Athula Kahandaliyanage, director at the World Health Organisation, said it is critical to reduce inequities in the healthcare sector.

Dr B.K. Rao, chairman of ASSOCHAM healthcare and hospitals committee, said improving patient safety and reducing medical errors are challenges faced by organisations across the world. The quality of healthcare products – medicines, diagnostics and instrumentation – requires well-designed processes and structures for delivering the services.

Mr K.C. Mehra, chairman of ASSOCHAM knowledge millennium council, said India's healthcare expenditure remains among the lowest globally and there are significant challenges to be addressed.

ASSOCHAM secretary general D.S. Rawat said the country's healthcare industry is worth 75 billion dollars and is estimated to double by 2017. The government should take initiative to improve infrastructure and ensure stringent safety procedures to provide adequate healthcare services to all Indians which will in turn fuel economic growth.

INDIA

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