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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

  1. To bring together subject experts from government, hospitals, professional associations, patient organisations and technology based start ups
  2. Discuss the key challenges and opportunities at different system levels of care ( secondary and tertiary) for disruptive innovations
  3. Share existing knowledge of where innovations have already helped to address some of these barriers to better patient care
  4. Build and share recommendations for the areas of most significant potential where disruptive innovation can help India deliver world-class, affordable care for all more rapidly. 
  5. Lastly, to explore a set of practical steps the key stakeholders can take to achieve the vision by 2030.

 

 

 

 

 

Panel members

  • Dr Indu Bhushan, Ex CEO Ayushman Bharat (Co-Chair)
  • Dr Ashley McKimm, Editor-in-Chief, BMJ Innovations (Co-Chair)
  • Dr Atul Mohan Kochhar, Chief Executive Officer, NABH
  • Dr Ashok Grover, Chairman Vision Eye Center Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
  • Dr. Giridhar Gyani, Director General, AHPI
  • Dr K Madan Gopal, Senior Advisor, Health, Niti Aayog, New Delhi
  • Dr Mahesh C Mishra, Ex-Director, AIIMS and Ex-AIIMS, HOD, General Surgery, Laparoscopic surgeon, Sitaram Bhartia, New Delhi
  • Dr Shubnum Singh, Advisor, Health – CII, Consultant Emeritus – Max Healthcare, Government Board Member – Health Sector Skills Council
  • Dr Vijay Agrawal, President CAHO, Advisor to Max Healthcare
  • Darshan Pandit, BU Head – Sponsorship Sales 

 

 

 

 

 

Panel interviews

  • Dr Giridhar Gyani: Disruptions in healthcare to improve secondary and tertiary healthcare in India

Vision on upgrading of clinicians for super speciality

  • Dr K Madan Gopal: Role of Pvt sector in improving the healthcare in India in next ten years
  • Dr Shubnum Singh: Culture of innovations in India
  • Dr Atul Mohan: summaries the challenges & enablers
  • Dr MC Mishra: Your vision for improving the accessibility of secondary & tertiary care
  • Dr Giridhar Gyani: what are the Enablers & Challenges from the healthcare providers perspective

 

Highlights from the roundtable

Highlights from the New Dehli roundtable can be viewed on our website.

Contact us to discuss opportunities

Darshan Pandit
BU Head - Sponsorship sales - BMJ India