We need to create robust Critical Care facilities in Tier II & III Cities: Dr Gopal Sharan, TR Life Sciences, Health News, ET HealthWorld
ETHealthWorld
March 15, 2023, 06:23 IST
Shahid Akhter, editor, ETHealthworld, spoke to Dr Gopal Sharan, Managing Director, TR Life Sciences, to figure out the challenges and the emerging opportunities in critical care segment in Tier II & III cities and rural areas in India.
Emerging trends in Tier II & III cities in the country?
There is a surge in demand for quality healthcare in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, and new trends are emerging to address the specific needs of the people. First of all, we are witnessing a bit higher spending in these areas not only by the governments but the private sector as well. Brownfield hospitals are being transformed with fresh investment and proper planning. In view of the growing demand for quality critical care, greenfield hospital projects are also coming up in these areas. These trends have gained new momentum due to the COVID-19 crisis. For new hospitals and those being transformed, the focus is on better financial planning, architectural design, optimum utilization of resources, capacity building (bed strengths), and sufficient human resources. Proper placement of medical equipment and the adoption of new technologies have also become priorities. Other dominant trends that we are witnessing include the emergence of telemedicine. It allows doctors to remotely monitor patients and provide consultations, which can be especially helpful in rural areas where access to healthcare is still limited.
What are the main challenges pertaining to critical care delivery systems in Tier II & III cities in India?
Despite efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and human resources, there is still a significant shortage of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in many parts of the country. There are several challenges. Tier II and III cities and rural areas lack the necessary infrastructure and resources to provide quality critical care. There is a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals in these areas, making it difficult to provide quality critical care. Smaller cities and rural areas lack access to advanced technology and medical equipment, making it challenging to provide high-quality critical care. It is estimated that 70% of the population has no access to specialists or critical care because 80% of specialists live in urban areas. Moreover, the shortage of medical equipment in small towns and rural areas in India has been a persistent issue for a long time. The limited availability of medical equipment in these areas has adversely affected the quality of healthcare services and resulted in an inadequate response to medical emergencies. The lack of funding and inadequate infrastructure are some of the major reasons. The infrastructure in small towns and rural areas is not developed enough to support the maintenance of medical equipment, leading to frequent breakdowns. All stakeholders, including the government, need to collaborate to address these challenges.
How do you see opportunities in Critical Care Segment?
Over the past 20 years, we have been working in the hospital sector and have successfully transformed urban hospitals and set a benchmark for excellence in healthcare infrastructure, quality construction, timeless values, and the customer experience in setting up dream hospitals with robust critical care facilities. Now, TR Lifesciences is committed to developing and innovating modern hospital buildings with futuristic concepts and to total customer satisfaction. We are taking this experience into Tier II and III cities now. The growing demand for quality critical care facilities in these cities and rural areas offers huge opportunities for the hospital sector. We have been continuously improving customer (hospital) satisfaction, work environment, culture, processes, systems, services, and products. These efforts would help hospitals in these areas to compete with their big cities counterparts. We will be bringing in technological and architectural innovation at its best.
What are the changes or transformations, India is witnessing after the pandemic?
India is undergoing a transition in terms of creating a robust healthcare ecosystem. With higher spending by the public and private sectors, along with primary healthcare, the critical care segment, especially in Tier II and III cities, has been receiving serious attention across the country. Secondly, cohesive collaborations and partnerships have been taking place. Collaborations between the private and public sectors and partnerships between healthcare providers and technology companies have been bringing positive change to critical care. The government is taking initiatives to improve healthcare infrastructure in Tier II and Tier III cities and rural areas, providing opportunities for the private sector to invest in critical care. Overall, the pandemic has accelerated the demand for quality healthcare. With the rising demand for quality healthcare in these areas, there is a huge potential for private players to invest in critical care.
What is the way forward for a robust healthcare ecosystem in the country?
Despite presenting an interesting set of opportunities, achieving the goal of healthcare for all by 2030 in India requires overcoming several barriers. In order to ensure increased access and delivery of quality healthcare to all, it is crucial for all stakeholders, including providers, payers, regulators, and policymakers, to adopt a multi-pronged approach. To accomplish this goal, we need to develop a sustainable healthcare business model that integrates primary, secondary, and tertiary care delivery systems. A new business model that emphasizes the affordability and high quality of Indian healthcare is necessary to build the brand of Indian healthcare. The hospital sector also needs significant support, including a combination of investment and tax relief, to build infrastructure assets and provide best-in-class healthcare services across the country. Only then can we bridge the rural-urban divide in critical care facilities and achieve the goal of healthcare for all by 2030.
What kinds of innovations TR Life Sciences have brought in so far?
TR Life constantly endeavors towards building trust and being socially responsible. We have been designing and constructing hospitals in strict compliance with policies and regulations promoting efficient use and conservation of natural resources and being environmentally responsible for our future generations. Our core expertise includes financial advisory, management and operation, human resources and planning, designing and execution, medical equipment and planning, and healthcare IT planning, among others. While taking up operation and management, we focus on a patient-friendly, cost-effective, quality-oriented, safety-oriented hospital management system supported by a proper environment. We have experienced that in order for hospitals to succeed and provide quality healthcare for all their patients, they must have financial management plans and systems that
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 12:53 am