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Darshan PanditBU Head - Sponsorship sales - BMJ India
BMJ regularly hosts roundtables that bring together international experts to outline, discuss and direct the conversation toward overcoming common clinical challenges.
On 24 August 2022, we delivered a specialist roundtable. Senior leaders from government, private sector, hospital and professional associations and key representative bodies, attended to explore “how can disruptive innovation of secondary and tertiary care in India drive better patient experience.”
Background
As India strives to offer world-class, affordable care for its 1.4 billion citizens, it faces critical challenges in healthcare infrastructure, workforce capacity and affordability. The World Health Organization recommends that there are 2.5 doctors for every 1000 patients.
In India, less than a quarter of doctors (0.7 per 1,000 patients) and a sixth of hospital beds are available (0.5 compared to 3.0 per 1,000 people). India needs innovative approaches to address this challenge more rapidly. Demand and supply gaps in secondary and tertiary care exist as up to 60% of health facilities are concentrated in a handful of large cities across the country.
Presently, 30%-35% of patients in India undergo surgery compared to 60%-65% globally. Similarly, only 15%-20% of patients in India undergo radiation therapy against 40%-50% globally.
Drivers of growth
Expanding initiatives like Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) will boost requirements for healthcare personnel in larger cities and Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns and villages. India will therefore need to increase the numbers of trained health personnel across various categories to achieve a ratio of at least 2.5 doctors and five nurses per 1,000 people by 2034.
Emerging technologies can assist delivery of more efficient and affordable patient care but to truly reach all of India’s population requires more than telehealth or digital healthcare apps. Innovative approaches are needed to overcome historical financial, geographic and social barriers to healthcare access; tackle health structures weighted towards secondary and tertiary care; to build capacity despite workforce shortages and limited rural infrastructure.
Objectives of the Roundtable
Panel members
Panel interviews
Vision on upgrading of clinicians for super speciality
Highlights from the New Dehli roundtable can be viewed on our website.