'India Ready to Heal the World,' Says Apollo Hospitals Chief

Dr. Pratap C Reddy, Chairman, CII National Committee of Healthcare and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said that India is ready to heal the world.

Addressing a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-sponsored conclave on healthcare services here today, Dr. Pratap C Reddy, Chairman, CII National Committee of Healthcare and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said that India is ready to heal the world.

Reiterating the fact that the world has recognized the healthcare potential of India, Dr. Reddy said that the biggest challenge for India is to make healthcare available to a billion people.

He stated that the Indian healthcare sector has matured to international standards and continuous innovation in new methodology has brought in professionalism in this sector.

He spoke of the need for increasing nursing capabilities before a crisis emerges in terms of shortage.

He urged the government to drive the numbers up from the existing figure of four million nurses to 30 million.

He also stressed on the need for promoting basic research in India and the necessity for the integration of alternative healthcare systems with that of current medical care for achieving good health for all.

He concluded by saying that there is a need for a vision and target and to see India as a happy and healthy country.

Vishal Bali, CEO, Wockhardt Hospitals Group, mentioned that it is very important for India that its wellness index grows proportionately to its economic index. He said that healthcare sector is in a transition and that it has immense opportunities and challenges.

He stated that Hyderabad has become a significant provider of healthcare services in India with a large capacity of beds having been created in this region. Quality focus is a very important area that the healthcare sector demands at this juncture, he added.

P K Agarwal, Principal Secretary(Health), Andhra Pradesh, emphasized that the aim of the government is to provide accessible, affordable, accountable, equitable, effective and reliable healthcare, especially to the poor and the vulnerable sections of population, mainly focusing on the rural areas.

He stated that to bring in the desired changes for a healthy growth of healthcare sector, a well-defined partnership between the government and the private sector is essential. PPP would help in improving access and reducing costs of individual treatment for chronic illnesses. He highlighted some of the schemes of the Government of Andhra Pradesh and also expressed the commitment of the government towards the development of healthcare sector.

S K Kakkar, Head, CII Institute of Quality, in his concluding remarks highlighted the strategic importance of quality in any sector. He traced the journey of quality from shop floor to the board room. He also stressed on the need for Public Private Partnership to achieve excellence.

Source-ANI
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