Agreed that there is a shortfall of trained personnel in Healthcare industry, but we do not have the resources... and maybe never will, it all depends on how we manage our meagre resources. I know for sure that funds are aplenty, thanks to funding agencies and our own govt. initiatives.
To improve the status of health, our culture needs to change, our mindset and our outlook towards health should change. As Indians we do not value life and do not value good health as an asset. No government or private sector players can change the health status, it HAS to be on an individual basis, from every citizen. FOr starters not to urinate and defecate anywhere we please, not to spit, use dustbins, etc. The infectious diseases are a real threat. The rural population needs attention, maybe they do not have access to healthcare. What we can do for our health is more useful than what the govt. and doctors can do.
Diabetes and Cardiac problems are lifestyle disease, PREVENTABLE! by adopting proper lifestyle at a young age. The economics of healthcare also suggests that prevention is cheaper than cure. The Choice is yours. Any comments/suggestions are welcome. ....A doctor and a Health management student.
RE:Indian Healthcare
by srikanth tummala on Nov 23, 2007 04:10 AM Permalink
I agree with u..."prevention is better than cure"; so medical schools and govt give more importance to community medicine..........the best way to do is involving corporates in community based preventive progrmes
RE:Indian Healthcare
by AG on Nov 23, 2007 07:15 PM Permalink
Absolutely Sir, and you will be pleased to know that many big corporates are indulging in CSR, and TATA comes to our mind as the pioneers in this. The corporate sector has realised the potential and good jobs are being done. A counter arguement is that they are doing it for publicity.. so what, if 100 people get cataract operations due to XYZ Industries Ltd., so be it. If the 1000 big companies sponsor 10 surgeries each for the people, it is a win win situation for all. And I also know that a lot of developmental work goes on without the hype and hoopla also. We need to look into this aspect to help the govt. initiatives and it is definitely on the right path.
RE:Indian Healthcare
by ! on Nov 23, 2007 06:37 AM Permalink
I am happy to hear such a refreshing thought from a Doctor. He/She could have such a thought on becoming a "Management Student". Kudos. Yes, the solution is in the prevention. After all the heading of the article is "Health" and not "Sickness". We need to create a separate cadre of "Health specialists" whose role would be very different from the present day "Doctors". Doctors from the Day 1 of leaving their citadels of learning (spending more than 30 - 50 lakhs) are more interested in people falling sick and then treating them . . . . and of course, charging what the market can bear! The "medical tourism" that is being touted is just the tip of the ice berg.
I do hope that the present "Doctor" Health Minister finds some time to debate and finalise something on the "Health specialists" amidst his tight schedule of running the AIIMS and tinkering with the medical curriculum
RE:RE:Indian Healthcare
by AG on Nov 23, 2007 07:26 PM Permalink
Sir/Madam, Thank you. The commercial aspect of this is also very interesting and there definitely exists a good potential for growth and profits. The larger hospitals and setups are not successful, largely because they do not adhere to principles of public service. I cannot run a hospital like a hotel! 'Health specialists' exist, as mentioned and are arriving on the scene and I hope we are able to do precisely what you are suggesting. We need specialist managers who understand doctors and patients both and the 'market'. Gujarat Govt. and other states have benefited from such Health/Hospital managers in the Healthcare delivery mechanism. Yes I forgot to mention the political will can make or break the entire health status. The policies exist, and the new Health policies are certainly a right step. We need IMPLEMENTORS. We need your good wishes!
