Express Healthcare (Vol. 17, No. 11) December 2024
Chairman of the Board
ViveckGoenka
Sr.Vice President-BPD
Neil Viegas
Vice President-BPD
Harit Mohanty
Editor
Viveka Roychowdhury*
Editorial Team
Lakshmipriya Nair
Kalyani Sharma
Kavita Jani
Neha Aathavale
DESIGN
Art Director
Pravin Temble
Senior Designer
Rekha Bisht
Senior Artist
Rakesh Sharma
Marketing Team
Rajesh Bhatkal
Douglas Menezes
Ashish Rampure
Debnarayan Dutta
Production Co-ordinator
DhananjayNidre
Scheduling & Coordination
Pushkar Waralikar
CIRCULATION
Mohan Varadkar
CONTENTS
INTERVIEW
P15: JAYVEER KOCHHAR Head-infectious disease research and Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition
POSTEVENTS
12 KAPILDEVBATS FOR LUPIN’S HUMRAHI
STRATEGY POLICY
17 COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS TO CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION
26 ELDERLYCARE IN INDIA: THE PMJAY PERSPECTIVE
FINANCE
27 HOWDOES RURAL INDIAFINANCE HEALTHCARE?
Express Healthcare®
HEALTHCARE TRENDS
28 MIDMARKINDIA AND WISSNERBOSSERHOFF PARTNER TO BRING LUXURYCARE BEDS TO INDIA
Regd.With RNI No.MAHENG/2007/22045.Postal Regd.No.MCS/162/2022 - 24.Printed and Published byVaidehi Thakar on behalf of The Indian Express (P) Limited and Printed at The Indian Express Press,Plot No.EL-208,TTC Industrial Area,Mahape,Navi Mumbai-400710 and Published at Mafatlal Centre,7th floor,Ramnath Goenka Marg,Nariman Point,Mumbai 400021.
Reproduction in anymanner,electronic or otherwise,in whole or in part,without prior written permission is prohibited.
Will consolidation among India’s hospital groups benefit all patients equally?
It’s that time of the year again, when we analyse the hits and misses over the past 12 months, and get set for the next year, with an eye on trends and market shifts.
Tracking the trends, it's a no-brainer that private equity-driven consolidation of the healthcare sector in India will continue. KKR is reportedly closing in on Healthcare Global Enterprises, following its recent acquisition of Baby Memorial Hospital. Care Hospitals, backed by PE firms Blackstone and TPG, merged with Aster DM Healthcare, to become India’s third largest hospital chain.
Private hospitals, both promoter and PE driven, are expected to fuel an expansion in the number of hospital beds, and this will hopefully bridge the gap between available and recommended beds per 1000 people, an accepted global standard of care. A November 2023 report from global real estate consultancy Knight Frank and their US partners Berkadia, estimated that 2.4 million additional beds were required to bridge the gap between the 1.3 available beds per 1000 people (private and public hospital beds included) and the recommended ratio of 3 beds per 1000 people.
However, will consolidation among India’s hospital groups benefit all patients equally?Are the beds being added affordable for both India (broadly considered the urban areas, tier-1/2 metros)and Bharat (tier 3/4 cities, rural areas)? Are the growth plans of hospitals destined to put a certain category of patients - the uninsured, patients in smaller cities, for instance - further back in the admissions queue? Most of these patients tend to seek out smaller healthcare facilities, but these hospitals are reportedly facing increasing challenges.
The ‘Hospitals for Bharat' report by LoEstro Advisors and Medium Healthcare, which analyses India's Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) hospital sector, reveals that while SME hospitals (less than 200 beds) deliver 60 per cent of India's healthcare and account for over 90 per cent of hospital beds, they face mounting pressures that threaten their sustainability.
As per the report, larger hospitals are acquiring SME hospitals and expanding to tier-II and tier-III cities, drawing high and middle-income patients away from SME hospitals, impacting their business performance.
Clearly, SME hospitals need a mix of high and middleincome patients, to balance the care cost of low-income patients and this balance has been skewed by the inroads of larger players into the traditional turf of SME hospitals.
Even though there is a clear opportunity, with SME hospitals reportedly growing at a 12.9 per cent CAGR, outpacing the overall hospital market CAGR of 11.3 per cent, the Hospitals for Bharat report outlines considerable challenges faced by them.
For example, larger chains outpace SME hospitals in marketing spends, with the former spending as much as Rs 4,22,000 per bed in FY24 versus Rs 10000 per bed by smaller hospitals.
Secondly, as per the report, SME hospitals have on average approximately 40 per cent less Average Revenue Per Occupied
Are the growth plans of hospitals destined to put a certain category of patients - the uninsured, patients in smaller cities,for instance - further back in the admissions queue?
Bed (ARPOB)and 33 per cent more Average Length of Stay (ALOS) than large private chains. While large hospitals strive to reduce ALOS for better patient turnover and lesser variable cost per patient, with the industry average around 4 - 4.5 days for listed players, SME hospitals’ ALOS is 5-6 days, as they have a very heavy focus on OB-GYN.
While the the Hospitals for Bharat report proposes solutions for each challenge, will such strategies make them pricier for low-income patients, even as their revenues stabilise? While government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat do drive patient volumes to SME hospitals, the delayed reimbursement makes it unsustainable.
Thirdly, the report points out that currently, general medicine accounts for 45 per cent of volumes; surgery (e.g., Obstetrics & Gynecology) drives 65 per cent of surgical revenue in smaller hospitals. As a solution, the report suggests that introducing specialities like Cardiology, Orthopedics, Oncology, Gastroenterology, and Neurosurgery improves revenue through higher ARPOB (Rs 50000–Rs 150000) and contribution margins (30 per cent-70 per cent). But won’t investments in these specialities force SME hospitals to nudge more patients towards these facilities, regardless of the actual need?
Similarly, while the report suggests that price optimisation and effective strategies to ensure the right prices can be achieved via bundling diagnostics with therapy, tiered bundling of services, market benchmarking and pricing transparency and expanding ancillary services, will having diagnostics as a revenue stream result in overuse of lab tests, with unnecessary tests adding to the economic burden on patients?
One could argue that adding in-house pharmacies and diagnostics serves a patient need, as they can access more services within a single facility. While the LoEstro Advisors-Medium Healthcare report estimates that these services contribute 40-45 per cent and 15-30 per cent respectively to patient bills, tapping this potential should not be at the expense of patients.
SME hospitals serve a need for low-income patients in the so-called micro markets. Their existence helps patients, especially those not covered by insurance, deal with medical expenses in their home cities, rather than traveling to larger cities.
While SME hospitals have as much of a right as the bigger national chains to improve their revenues and meet the aspirations of their promoters, healthcare promoters and their funding partners will need to balance their growth plans with patient needs. Let's hope 2025 sees a conscious attempt on this front.
Lupin’s Patient Support Programme,Humrahi,was recently enhanced to add heart health to its diabetes focus.With Kapil Dev as a brand ambassador,the programme aims to increase awareness, democratise holistic diabetes and heart health,take preventive care beyond the metros and address medical inflation concerns,reports Viveka Roychowdhury
Regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket, Kapil Dev lifting the 1983 World Cup is an image difficult to forget in cricket-crazy India. These days, he bats for health, and as the brand ambassador for Lupin's Patient Support Programme (PSP), Humrahi, the cricketing icon was part of a panel discussion organised by global pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) as they launched an upgraded version of Humrahi at the recently held Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) conference in New Delhi.
Already trusted by over 64,000 patients, Humrahi’s diabetes management support programme has been enhanced to support heart health patients as well as diabetic patients managing their cardiac ailments. This is a logical extension as diabetes has a significant impact on heart health.
Thus the refreshed programme bundles diabetes management with cardiovascular care, providing patients with insights into heart-healthy practices, regular monitoring, and expert guidance on managing cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes.
Timed to mark World Diabetes Day, the cricketing icon shared his journey as a diabetic during the panel discussion, urging patients to control their carbs, exercise, take their meds on time and test regularly.
“Trusting Humrahi is like trusting your best teammate. It’s a reliable programme that provides consistent support for managing chronic conditions,” stated Kapil Dev.
Other panelists during the discussion included Rajeev Sibal, President – India Region Formulations, Lupin, Dr B M Makkar, Organising Chairman,
Azariah,VP- Corporate Communications,Lupin (moderator),Dr Anuj Maheshwari,RSSDI National President Elect 2024,Dr B M Makkar,Organizing Chairman,RSSDI’24,cricketing icon Kapil Dev,RajeevSibal, President – India Region Formulations,Lupin,and Dr.Banshi Saboo,Chair-Elect IDFSoutheast Asia Region
Humrahi is a unique initiative designed to improve patient outcomes by addressing one of healthcare’s biggest challengesnon-adherence to therapy.It actively supports patients in managing their conditions through value-based support and care,raises awareness, bridging gaps that often prevent adherence and,ultimately, improves health outcomes
Rajeev Sibal
President India Region Formulations,Lupin
Trusting Humrahi is like trusting your best teammate.It’s a reliable programme that provides consistent support for managing chronic conditions
Kapil Dev Cricketing legend and Humrahi’s brand ambassador
RSSDI’24, Dr Banshi Saboo, Chair-Elect IDF Southeast Asia Region and Dr Anuj Maheshwari, RSSDI National President-Elect 2024.
Moderated by Rajalakshmi Azariah, VP, Corporate Communications, Lupin, the panel discussion spanned the challenges of therapy adherence, the holistic approach of Humrahi and how the PSP harnesses new age tech to address these challenges, increase access, reduce costs and result in better treatment outcomes.
Besides cardiovascular and anti-diabetes medication, Lupin’s market presence in India and the U.S. spans multiple therapy areas, including respiratory, anti-infective, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and women’s health. Its subsidiaries, such as Lupin Diagnostics, Lupin Digital Health, and Lupin Manufacturing Solutions, add breadth to its presence in the healthcare space.
Aholistic solution to therapynon-adherence
Sibal stressed that Humrahi is more than just a healthcare app, quoting studies that non-adherence to prescribed therapy is as high as 40 to 50 per cent in chronic conditions like cardiovascular and diabetes therapy. This non-adherence, primarily due to a lack of awareness of the consequences, leads to poor treatment outcomes, increasing complications and higher morbidity.
Non-adherence has a higher impact, especially in a pricesensitive market like India, where most treatment costs are out of pocket. This is where programmes like Lupin’s Humrahi provide financial relief. Once enrolled, eligible patients
Industryexperts share insights on the challenges of therapyadherence in chronic conditions like cardiovascular ailments and diabetes, and howthe holistic approach of Humrahi,which harnesses newage tech to address these challenges,results in better treatment outcomes.(From left to right) Rajalakshmi
can avail of free medication every three months and complimentary diagnostic services every quarter.
While the main objective of Humrahi is to raise awareness, drive adherence, and provide patients with access to medication for better health outcomes, it also reduces the financial burden of diabetes and heart medications. The programme allows free downloads, with no registration fee or any monthly subscription fees, while offering bespoke counseling sessions on diet, exercise, and stress management via calls, blogs, recipes, podcasts, and videos.
Recalling his own experience, Kapil Dev underlined the importance of raising more awareness about the condition, stressing that awareness enables patients to care for themselves much better.
Dr Maheshwari pointed out that even though India is the ‘pharmacy of the world’, medicines are not the solution as they can only manage diabetes. The aim should be to prevent diabetes. He singled out lack of exercise as the topmost cause of the exponential rise in India’s diabetic population, pointing out that our waking hours have gone from ‘sunrise to sunset’ to a 24x7 life, leaving our bodies little to no time to rest.
Commenting on Humrahi, Dr Maheshwari noted, "Humrahi's unique approach to ensuring patient privacy and offering tailored support and guidance makes it one of the most patient-friendly platforms."
Adding that lifestyle changes are the need of the hour, Dr Saboo revealed that studies have showcased that sitting for more than 90 minutes, categorised as prolonged sitting, is considered more dangerous than smoking, as it adds to abdominal obesity. He mentioned a simple marker by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), which states that if a person's central obesity/abdominal width (waist circumference) is more than half of their height, there is an increasing risk of developing diabetes. Thus, lifestyle changes such as moving from sitting to standing are much required.
Dr Saboo pointed out, "Humrahi focuses on NCDs through a customised unique approach highlighting the importance of education and awareness in a patient’s journey. It is a complete solution that we have long needed in healthcare."
Dr Makkar outlined that diabetes treatment must go beyond prescriptions, underlining the importance of lifestyle interventions like increasing physical activity, eating healthy etc. He tied it to the 24x7 support provided by the Humrahi programme, which helps patients stick to their
Humrahi stands out as it empowers patients to take charge of their own health journey with ease
Dr B M Makkar
Organising Chairman,RSSDI’24
The programme focuses on NCDs through a customised unique approach highlighting the importance of education and awareness in the patient journey.It is a complete solution that we have long needed in healthcare
Dr Banshi Saboo Chair-Elect,International Diabetes Federation for Southeast Asia
Humrahi's unique approach to ensuring patient privacy and offering tailored support and guidance makes it one of the most patient-friendly programmes experienced by us
Dr Anuj Maheshwari
RSSDI National President Elect 2024
medication regime with pill reminders, alerts for quarterly diagnostic tests and customised diet, nutrition and physiotherapy counseling sessions.
Dr Makkar believes that "Humrahi stands out as it empowers patients to take charge of their own health journey with ease."
Aticking time bomb
As per a recent report published on World Diabetes Day in The Lancet, India now has the largest number of diabetes patients, surpassing China. A quarter of adults living with diabetes globally are in India
(212 million of the 828 million), according to the study conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) in collaboration with WHO.
Based on data till 2022, the other nations with the most diabetics are China (148 million), the US (42 million), Pakistan (36 million), Indonesia (25 million) and Brazil (22 million). The study is the first global analysis of trends in both diabetes rates and treatment.
The launch of the refreshed Humrahi programme was on the sidelines of the 52nd International Annual Conference of the RSSDI, Delhi. This year's
RSSDI report sheds light on India's growing diabetes challenge. With over 101 million diagnosed cases and an additional 136 million individuals in the prediabetic stage, the report calls for urgent intervention. It highlights the narrowing gap between rural and urban diabetes prevalence due to lifestyle changes and limited access to healthcare. As per the report, the national diabetes prevalence rate now stands at 11.4 per cent, underlining the urgency of targeted, community-based prevention strategies.
The stats for heart disease are equally concerning. Cardiovascular diseases, which are a leading cause of death globally, are responsible for 60 per cent of adult deaths in India. By 2030, cardiovascular disease prevalence is expected to rise to 5.26 per cent, as per an analysis of cardiovascular rates in India between 1990 and 2017. The authors of the study published in May 2020, titled Time-series study of cardiovascular rates in India: A systematic analysis between 1990 and 2017, propose increased investment across the continuum of care to promote, prevent, and rehabilitate cardiovascular disease efficaciously.
As per Fortune Business Report 2024, the global diabetes care market is projected to grow from USD 56.5 billion in 2024 to USD 95.6 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 6.7 per cent. The global cardiovascular devices market is expected to grow from USD 54.3 billion in 2024 to USD 100.8 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 8.3 per cent.
The Humrahi approach
Recounting the evolution of Humrahi, Brijendra Singh, Senior VP-Sales & Marketing and Vertical Head, Diabetes, Lupin informed that the Humrahi programme started a decade ago as a companion for India's diabetic patients to guide them in their journey of living with and managing their diabetes. Initially focused on educating patients on the right technique for insulin injections, the programme expanded over the years to address the main challenge in diabetes management, therapy adherence.
POST EVENTS
Eligible patients enrolled in the Humrahi programme can access personalised diet counseling, medication assistance, tailored lifestyle modification tips, and more. In addition, eligible enrolled patients can access diagnostic services and avail complementary medication.
The platform provides resources such as blogs, recipes, podcasts, and videos and supports 12 regional languages. Currently available in key cities across India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, and other Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, the programme is accessible to diverse patient groups.
By nudging enrolled patients towards healthier lifestyles and preventive care like regular diagnostics, Humrahi seeks to help them manage their conditions more effec-
STATS ABOUTHUMRAHI
From August 2023 to November 2024,the Humrahi app clocked these stats:
◆ Almost 64,000 patients enrolled
◆ Recommended by10,000 physicians across the country
◆ Conducted 2 lakhs patient counseling sessions in the last 8-9 months
◆ Touched 4 lakhs patient lives through screening camps
◆ Addressed 5 lakh patient queries as far as diabetes is concerned
◆ 95 per cent of patients on Humrahi said the programme meets their expectation
◆ 80 per cent of patients found the educational resources veryinformative and helpful
◆ 81.43 per cent patient retention rate over last 6 months on Humrahi platform
◆ 77.6 per cent patients said theywill recommend Humrahi to people
◆ 93 per cent physicians said theywill recommend Humrahi to their patients
◆ 90 per cent physicians said Humrahi has made a verypositive impact in the lives of the patient
◆ 80 per cent physicians said theyare verysatisfied with the effectiveness of Humrahi
(Source:Lupin)
tively. This is reflected in the strong foundation Humrahi has in preventive care, allowing patients to predict and mitigate future complications through adopting lifestyle changes and enabling early intervention
while regular monitoring with health trackers.
Launched in 2023, Humrahi has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification, underscoring its commitment to maintaining the highest data
privacy and security standards. This certification ensures comprehensive tools and access to care for patients and solidifies trust in the programme’s ability to safeguard sensitive health information.
Given the current and projected disease burden and the fact that there is a high level of undiagnosed incidence of both diabetes and cardiovascular conditions in India, Humrahi democratises diabetes and heart health care beyond the metros breaching socio-economic barriers.
The hope is that as a true Humrahi, the programme continues to expand care, spanning therapies, geographies and, most importantly, by reducing the financial stress of mounting medical inflation. Having set the bar high, will Humrahi live up to the promise in the diabetes capital of the world? Only time will tell.
(The correspondent was part of a media interaction at RSSDI 2024 coordinated by Lupin)
viveka.r@expressindia.com viveka.roy3@gmail.com
Creating a system for earlyoutbreakdetection
Gavin Cloherty ,Head-infectious disease research and Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition in an interview with Kavita Jani explains how public-private initiatives can help create a global network to detect outbreaks and minimise the impact of potential threats
How is the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition (APDC) working to transform the way we identify, track, analyse and test emerging health threats? What are the coalition's short- and longterm goals?
The APDC was created to stop viruses before they stop us. It's the first-of-its-kind, industryled network of more than 20 scientific and public health organisations across five different continents focused on identifying, tracking, and responding to known and emerging viral threats to help prevent the next pandemic. Think of the coalition like a sophisticated weather-tracking system. We have infectious disease experts with eyes on the ground using tests and technology to monitor how viruses are changing or even if new ones pop up so we can stay one step ahead of the next viral threat. Our goal is to keep building the strength of our tracking system and ensuring that we are getting information into the hands of the people and organisations who can help ensure outbreaks don't become pandemics.
How can Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) like APDC improve disease surveillance programmes, respond to emerging pathogens, and prevent disease outbreaks?
PPPs like the APDC convene the scientific, industrial, and public health communities to serve as a "frontline" system for detecting emerging and existing viral threats. By connecting these communities, we facilitate the flow of critical information about outbreaks among researchers, local governments, and global health authorities. The Coalition also works with other public health organisations to help create a
INTERVIEW
global network to help detect outbreaks and minimise the impact of potential threats.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the urgent need for increased investment in health infrastructure. So, how has global health infrastructure evolved since then? Which areas still need attention? Among the lessons we can take from the COVID pandemic is that managing the diseases we live with every day, such as HIV and hepatitis, improves public health now and builds infrastructure we can tap into should a pandemic threat emerge.
In India, Abbott partners with the Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE) as a member of the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition. YRG CARE is a Chennai-based non-profit organisation in the space of HIV/AIDS, offering prevention and treatmentrelated services to Indians across the country. The Coalition and YRGCARE have been working to manage the HIV and hepatitis epidemic in India.
Together, we recently inaugurated two new outreach centres in India dedicated to combating HIV and other infectious diseases. Outreach workers in New Delhi visit hotspots that account for new infections to try and provide atrisk individuals with testing and other health services.
The Coalition recently conducted a survey of experts in epidemiology and virology who ranked surveillance programs to identify emerging pathogens, funding for public health infrastructure and a shortage of public health workers as the top three gaps in pandemic preparedness to address - all of which are goals of the Coalition. For example, the Coalition is continuing to build disease surveillance efforts, such as its support for disease surveillance within India's private healthcare network, which hosts over 60 per cent of the country's hospital beds. Creating a system that enables public health authorities to spot
The Coalition has over 20 members in strategically important locations around the world engaged in active surveillance and research on pathogens every day
potential outbreaks in both public and private hospitals will not only help us better understand what public health threats we face today, but also be able to more quickly spot emerging threats.
The Coalition's recent survey highlights gaps in pandemic preparedness. How can they be mitigated?
When it comes to public health, long-term investment and preparing for immediate response do not necessarily need to be at odds. If you're doing a good job of managing current outbreaks, you're simultaneously building the infrastructure you'll need if we face another pandemic. In addition to our work with YRG Care, our work with the TEPHINET training program from the Task Force for Global Health is a great example. We wanted to help train young epidemiologists, particularly in countries with fewer people in that profession. We worked
with TEPHINET to create a fellowship for emerging epidemiologists that provides mentorship and training while fellows work on projects aimed at addressing a current public health need in their country.
What are the opportunities for industry players to improve pandemic preparedness?
Industry has a vital role in pandemic preparedness, as we saw with COVID. Whether it was vaccine manufacturers, medical equipment suppliers or diagnostic companies like Abbott, industry has a central role in ensuring they are aware of the potential threats that exist and can scale up to meet them when required. That's where PPPs are also critical. Ensuring the networks that enable information and expertise to be shared is a very important step. Having those lines of communication open before there is a crisis means we will all be more effective if
one develops.
How is this Coalition contributing towards this endeavour?
The Coalition has over 20 members in strategically important locations around the world engaged in active surveillance and research on pathogens every day. The Coalition has identified very early signs of outbreaks thanks to the collaboration among its members. That information is then shared with local health officials, enabling them to work quickly to start deploying countermeasures to contain the outbreak. This kind of collaboration helps improve management of current outbreaks and identify the early signs of emerging threats.
It has become imperative to build rapid response capabilities to healthcare threats. How are the industry and all its stakeholders leveraging technology to identify and respond to emerging pathogens?
The APDC is an 'eyes on the ground' network, and our global surveillance, research, and testing efforts are helping us build a vast network that helps us keep an eye out for the next viral threat. This is especially important to stay one step ahead, including by assessing whether existing tests detect such infections or gathering information that can support quick test development.
One area we've seen advancements in technology is with next-generation sequencing and its ability to revolutionise how viruses are discovered and tracked. Decoding a genome once took years to complete and can now be done in a day or two. The resulting genetic data enables researchers to not only quickly identify the type of pathogen that made someone sick but to compare that specific pathogen's genetic information to other pathogens like it and determine how it is changing. As a result, we can better predict how an outbreak may change, for example, if a pathogen is becoming more transmissible or is evolving to
be more likely to jump from an animal to a human.
Viral pathogens have emerged as a great threat. How is Abbott addressing the gaps in diagnostics of viral pathogens? Tell us about Abbott's research and solutions to improve early detection of emerging disease outbreaks.
We conduct viral surveillance and discovery and study a wide range of infectious diseases, from SARS-Cov-2 and its variants, HIV and Hepatitis to new and neglected diseases. We have published 97 research papers and studies including research around the COVID-19 variants, antibody levels after COVID vaccines, the genetic diversity of the Picobirnavirus, and the spread of Hepatitis C in India. For example, during the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic, our partner in South Africa quickly alerted us to the threat of Omicron, which helped us analyse the variant and confirm diagnostic tests could detect it and, in the U.S., Abbott was one of the first to detect the delta variant. The key to success is the combination of technology, such as next-generation sequencing, and partnerships that ensure samples get sequenced and that information is shared widely with those who can help mount a response.
Tell us about Abbott's specific initiatives or partnerships that focus on increasing testing capabilities in underserved areas. Our work with the TEPHINET training programme from the Task Force for Global Health is a great example. We wanted to help train young epidemiologists, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We worked with TEPHINET to create a fellowship for emerging epidemiologists in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Uganda, and a dozen others that provide mentorship and training while fellows work on projects aimed at addressing a current public health need in their country.
Kavita.jani@expressindia.com
STRATEGY
Collaborative solutions to chronic disease prevention
Dr Poornima Prabhakaran
,Senior
Research Scientist,Centre
for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) srtesses that all hands need to be on deck to face the challenges posed by environment-induced diseases,which have become more common,cost millions of rupees,and claim millions of lives,every year
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 24 per cent of global deaths can be attributed to environmental causes. Ambient air pollution, household air pollution, unsafe drinking water, the impact of climate change on food crops, exposure to toxic chemicals, and heat stress are a few of the environmental challenges that exacerbate chronic diseases and lead to premature death.
Pollutants in the environment set off health disorders including cancers, kidney disease, bone damage, liver fibrosis, ovarian dysfunction, hormone dysregulation, type 2 diabetes mellitus, compromised antiviral immunity, and several other diseases. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air causes diseases of the respiratory system like asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also impacts cardiovascular health and is known to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Undoubtedly, there is an imperative need to raise public awareness followed by collective action.
Collective
responsibility and collective action
Optimum health and disease prevention are collective responsibilities, with nations, states, government bodies, policymakers, industry, the healthcare sector, research communities, civil society, and individuals playing critical roles in the outcome. All hands need to be on deck to face the challenges posed by environment-induced diseases, which have become more common, cost millions of rupees, and claim millions of lives, every year.
Specific areas that merit attention include the built envi-
ronment, healthy lifestyles, and technological interventions that sustain good health.
The built environment and health
Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have led to several changes in our built environment. While modern conveniences have been added, our built environments have fewer trees, fewer open spaces, fewer water bodies, more construction, and an increased demand for shared natural resources like water and food. Poor planning and cost cutting have given rise to cramped living spaces with inadequate ventilation. Spatial constraints reduce physical activity thereby fuelling the epidemics of overweight and obesity. Transportation, although a
boon, encourages people to take to the wheel rather than walk, and thereby burn fewer calories. Public transport often has its limitations . What is more, with cities growing horizontally, factories that were once in suburban areas are now in the heart of the city. Toxic emissions from these units contribute to much of the air pollution in our metros today. Additionally , the fumes from vehicular traffic, burning of solid waste, legacy landfill waste and growing sanitary waste culminate in deteriorating air quality.
As cities swell and chronic diseases rise, it is vital to have a new approach to urban planning. Health and well-being must be the fulcrum around which everything else is built. For example, top priority must
be given to cities and townships where land use, buildings, and transportation systems work together to reduce pollution exposure and encourage physical activity. By prioritising public health in the design planning phase, we can create healthier residents and minimise the economic and social burden of chronic diseases.
Incentivising good health
Although good health is an incentive in itself, it might make sense to add a few incentives to the fitness game.
For example, the state could offer special concessions for townships that build ergonomic sidewalks and ensure safe walking; schools and colleges could give reward points to students who make healthy food choices; reward mechanisms
for health champions and youth peer-leaders must be instituted; Healthy in-app purchases could be made available to people who incorporate exercise into their daily routine; Companies that score well in wellness surveys could receive special mention in mainstream media and social media platforms.
These are just a few ways in which individuals, family members, educators, corporates, healthcare providers, influencers, media and policymakers can collaborate to create environments that support healthy living.
Technologythat paves the wayfor good health
Technology plays a critical role in our pursuit of good health. Smart technologies now monitor indoor air quality and alert residents to harmful pollutants. IoT sensors, drones, and satellite imagery track pollution levels and provide real-time data, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their outdoor activities. Several online portals as well personal digital devices provide information about air quality and can be of immense value to individuals with existing chronic illnesses like asthma, chronic bronchitis and heart disease to avoid exposure to high pollution levels. Transition to greener , energy-efficient fuels can also help to curtail harmful greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate both ambient temperatures and contribute to poor air quality.
Simple collaborative strategies at individual, household, community and governance level can provide holistic approaches for sustained good health. They revolve around the premise that the real wealth of a nation lies in the health of its citizens.
Smart ICUs hold the potential to bridge accessibility gaps and enhance efficiency in critical care.However,aligning it with robust regulations is critical
By Kalyani Sharma
India's healthcare sector is evolving rapidly, with the Intensive Care Unit (ICUs) at the forefront of this transformation.
Dr Sunil Karanth, Chairman, HOD & Consultant –Critical Care Medicine, Manipal Hospitals, Old Airport Road said, “The demand for ICU beds has surged, driven by the growing healthcare market, projected to expand at a double-digit CAGR of 22 per cent. This increase reflects the increasing need for acute care due to increasing lifespan, advancements in complex surgeries with the addition of technology like robotics, and post-treatment critical care for conditions like cancer and transplants. Another factor behind it is the increasing population in places where there is better access to healthcare. The migration from rural to urban areas has also improved access to healthcare for many. This is supported by enhanced infrastructure in public and private hospitals. Increased affordability, particularly among the middle class, has also contributed to this rising demand.”
Smart ICUs represent a revolutionary shift in critical care, integrating advanced technologies to improve patient outcomes, enhance workflow efficiency, and optimise resources.
Dr Dileep Raman, CoFounder and Chief of Health, Cloudphysician shares, “The key challenge is to ensure that high quality care is accessible and affordable. Meeting the demand for access and quality and a lower cost is only possible by force multiplying clinicians with technology. Smart-ICU solutions play a key role in addressing these challenges by incorporating real-time monitoring, AI-driven analytics, and decision-support tools to enhance the efficiency and quality of care. These solutions help optimise resource allocation, streamline operations, and enable timely interventions, which are crucial for managing complex patient cases effectively. As healthcare systems in India continue to evolve,
Smart ICUs are an advanced type of critical care that has improved patient outcomes through high-accuracy monitoring,low error rates,and improved decision-making
Himanshu
Baid
Managing Director,Poly Medicure
The demand for ICU beds has surged, driven by the growing healthcare market, projected to expand at a double-digit CAGR of 22 per cent
Dr Sunil Karanth
Chairman,HOD & Consultant – Critical Care Medicine, Manipal Hospitals
smart-ICUs enable hospitals to meet the rising expectations of patients for high-quality, efficient, and personalised care.”
Dr Kapil Borawake, Director - ICU and Criticare Medicine, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar, Pune opines that ICUs in India are a bit of mixed bag. He mentions, “While metropolitan hospitals have sophisticated critical care units, smaller and rural hospitals are poorly resourced, have old facilities, and are short of trained intensivists. As the World strived with COVID, there was clamour for devices that improve critical care efficiency and scope. Further compounding the case for smart ICUs is the rising incidence of critical illnesses, such as sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiorgan failure, which necessitate better monitoring, medical intervention and subsequently enhanced patient prognosis.”
As healthcare systems in India continue to evolve,Smart-ICUs enable hospitals to meet the rising expectations of patients for high-quality,efficient,and personalised care
Dr Dileep Raman Co-Founder and Chief of Health,Cloudphysician
ICUs in India are a bit of mixed bag.While metropolitan hospitals have sophisticated critical care units,smaller and rural hospitals are poorly resourced, have old facilities,and are short of trained intensivists
Dr Kapil Borawake
Director - ICU and Criticare Medicine,Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital
Stressing on the shortage of manpower as a significant challenge, Dr Sankalp M Vanzara, Sr. Consultant & HOD-Critical Care & Emergency Medicine, Sterling Hospitals, Rajkot said, “Currently, ICUs in India are staffed by human personnel who operate electronic machines and monitors displaying patient information. This data is interpreted by doctors, nurses, and intensivists to determine appropriate treatments. However, a significant challenge facing ICUs is a shortage of manpower. Many dedicated nurses and doctors are opting for less stressful roles, leading to significant staff shortages in hospital ICUs. This trend not only impacts the quality-of-care patients receive but also places immense pressure on remaining staff. It’s crucial to address the work environment to retain skilled professionals in these vital areas of healthcare.”
“There is a growing need for smart ICU solutions to alleviate human stress, similar to how banks and offices have adopted computers to reduce the need for manpower. Another issue is that when staff has to focus on one critical patient, they may
overlook problems with other patients, leading to delays in identifying and addressing these issues. AI can help by quickly identifying these problems, thereby addressing the challenges faced in ICUs.”
Technologies powering smart ICUs
Smart ICUs are a blend of technologies, aiming at enhancing patient outcomes and optimising healthcare resources.
Technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse large amount of data to predict potantial complications, Internet of Things (IoT) based remote monitoring for constant patient supervision, big data and predictive analytics are shaping this transformation.
Talking about the need for technology, Dr Yash Javeri, Director- CCM and Emergency Medicine, Regency Health, Lucknow said, “Healthcare is fundamentally a human experience. Any technology or platform implemented should aim for greater access & human connection as its end goal. Technology and processes shouldn’t create more abstraction. Tech solutions should promote real connections. Less time on administrative paperwork means more face-to-face time for patient care!”
“There is a growing awareness of the detrimental impact of the ICU environment on patients, families, and staff. Current ICU designs have not kept up with advances in medical technology and models of care, and there is no current ‘gold-standard’ ICU design. Improvements in ICU designs are needed to optimise care delivery and patient outcomes. The key to achieving enhanced patient satisfaction & experience, reduce staff “burn out” & decrease healthcare spending is to have a strategic mix of modernised technologies and hyper personalisation.”
Traditionally resourceintensive and heavily reliant on manual monitoring, ICUs are now evolving into high-tech hubs with the integration of smart technologies.
There is a growing need for smart ICU solutions to alleviate human stress, similar to how banks and offices have adopted computers to reduce the need for manpower
Dr Borawake explains, “At the heart of smart ICUs are technologies that enable seamless integration and analysis of patient data. AI provides comprehensive solutions in predicting complications, establishing ventilator settings, and even assisting in decision making through its interaction with large data sets.”
Kaushal Pandya, Senior Director, Dozee highlights that technology offers a lifeline, enabling healthcare systems to function efficiently in resourceconstrained environments.
Any technology or platform implemented should aim for greater access & human connection as its end goal
Dr Yash Javeri
Director- CCM and Emergency Medicine, Regency Health, Lucknow
Technology offers a lifeline,enabling healthcare systems to function efficiently in resource-constrained environments
Kaushal Pandya Senior Director, Dozee
Traditional ICUs are very resourceintensive with significant investment into infrastructure,equipment,and staff. Manual monitoring and interventions often lead to inefficiencies and a correspondingly high cost of operations
Dr Vatsal Kothari
Director-Critical Care Medicine and Consulting Physician, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital,Mumbai
He explains, “India’s ICU ecosystem is grappling with a dual crisis of capacity and capability. With only approx. 1,25,000 ICU bedsfor a population of 1.4 billion, the numbers starkly highlight the infrastructure shortfall. However, the challenge isn’t limited to infrastructure alone. Asevere shortage of intensivists and skilled ICU nurses compounds the issue, with rural areas facing the brunt of this disparity. While urban centres manage to deliver critical care, rural regions are often left to operate with minimal resources and undertrained personnel. The drivers for adopting smart ICU solutions stem from these very gaps. Smart ICUs, through innovations like tele-ICU models, facilitate ahub-and-spoke approach. Specialists in urban hubs can now remotely guide and monitor rural ICUs in realtime, bridging the expertise divide.”
Explaining how smart ICUs improve patient monitoring, Himanshu Baid, Managing Director, Poly Medicure shares, “Smart ICUs are an advanced type of critical care that has improved patient outcomes through high-accuracy monitoring, low error rates, and improved decision-making. By integrating real-time data collected from monitors, ventilators, and others, it constitutes a comprehensive health profile, finding slight variations in the condition of a patient and enabling response before it occurs. A key benefit is a lack of human error. The automated
system will handle the routine matters like recording vital signs and dosages, reducing mistakes due to fatigue or stress. Advanced alert systems further help doctors by prioritising critical issues and filtering out non-essential information.”
“Smart ICUs offer decision support, also an essential feature for life-threatening situations where every second counts. They analyse enormous quantities of real-time clinical data to provide predictive insights, such as AI-based warnings, which can be used against complications like sepsis or cardiac arrest. This leads to better outcomes and resource optimisation with a reduced workload on healthcare practitioners.”
Smart ICUs: Sustainable and long-term solution?
Since smart ICUs leverage technology, they can help in optimising care delivery, reducing costs and overcome resource constraints, providing a scalable and cost-effective solution tailored to India’s unique needs.
Dr Vatsal Kothari, DirectorCritical Care Medicine and Consulting Physician, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai said, “Traditional ICUs are very resource-intensive with significant investment into infrastructure, equipment, and staff. Manual monitoring and interventions often lead to inefficiencies and a correspondingly high cost of operations. In rural and semi-urban hospitals, there is lack of the trained specialists in critical care, which is a challenge.”
Ruchin Kumar, VP - South Asia, Futurex stresses, “Smart ICUs address these challenges by utilising automation, realtime monitoring, and data analytics to optimise resource allocation and reduce expenses. Additionally, they enable remote monitoring, allowing specialists to oversee multiple units. This reduces dependence on on-site personnel and enhances the efficiency of healthcare providers in
managing resources. These technologies empower hospitals to deliver high-quality care without incurring additional operational costs. By streamlining workflows, improving staff productivity, and reducing patient stays through more effective treatments, Smart ICUs provide a sustainable, long-term alternative to traditional ICUs.”
Traditional ICUs, while indispensable, are no longer sufficient to meet the demands
By streamlining workflows,improving staff productivity,and reducing patient stays through more effective treatments, smart ICUs provide a sustainable, long-term alternative to traditional ICUs
Ruchin Kumar VP- South Asia,Futurex
The challenges that come our way in integrating smart ICU technological advancements include training and integration
Dr Piyush Girdhar
Consultant-Critical Care,Aakash
Healthcare
By addressing current limitations, leveraging technological advancements and fostering public-private partnership, India can improve ICU infrastructure, enable remote access and enhance patient care transforming the healthcare landscape
Dr Prashant Borade
Director-Critical
Care ,Gleneagles Hospital
of a growing and aging population. Smart ICUs offer a transformative solution, blending innovation with sustainability to create a future-ready critical care ecosystem.
Challenges and opportunities
Smart ICUs equipped with advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and telemedicine promise to address longstanding issues in traditional intensive care units. However, the
implementation of smart ICUs comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities that demand attention from healthcare providers, technology companies, and policymakers.
Dr Javeri opines that prospects for critical care may look questionable now, but solutions are available and the future just might be brighter than expected. Smart ICUs must prepare for bigger challenges.
Dr Piyush Girdhar,
Consultant-Critical Care, Aakash Healthcare, New Delhi also shares, “The challenges that come our way in integrating smart ICU technological advancements include training and integration. It also includes data analysis and managing the overload of extra data that needs to be segregated, while maintaining patient privacy. The initial investment cost for all the setups should decrease in the future. There should be clinical acceptance among all the physicians. Ethical and legal issues should be addressed. There should be adequate user experience for all these techniques, as well as compliance among all the stakeholders. And, of course, there should be ethical use of AI, ensuring it does not cause harm to the patient but benefits the patient.”
Dr Raman emphasises, “The healthcare sector has historically been slow to adopt cuttingedge technologies, often constrained by legacy systems and traditional clinical workflows. While advancements in medical equipment have progressed, critical care units have struggled to keep up. It is ideal to work with a team that has both technical and operational expertise while deploying and maintaining a smart-ICU. It is not just the technology alone, but its link with domain experts and outcome centric care delivery that makes a difference. To ensure challenges are minimal the hospital setting up a smartICU must collaborate both at a technology and a healthcare service delivery level with the domain experts.”
Dr Prashant Borade, Director-Critical Care, Gleneagles HospitalParel Mumbai also believes that smart ICUs is the future of critical care. By addressing current limitations, leveraging technological advancements and fostering public-private partnership, India can improve ICU infrastructure, enable remote access and enhance patient care transforming the healthcare landscape.
The transition from traditional ICUs to smart ICUs
is neither seamless nor without hurdles. The journey requires addressing technological, financial, and operational complexities while also tapping into the vast potential these innovations offer.
Gerald Jaideep, CEO, Medvarsity stresses that all the advancements must align with robust regulations to ensure data security, ethical AI usage, and global standards. Innovation must be responsible to truly revolutionise healthcare.
Emerging regulatory frameworks and future of smart ICUs
As discussed above, technologies like AI, telemedicine and robotics will significantly influence the future of smart ICUs.
Explaining in detail, Dr Borawake said, “Developments in AI, robotics, and telemedicine suggest that the future of smart ICUs is bright. It’s easier to imagine AI algorithms taking over day-to-day clinical procedures, such as fine-tuning a ventilator or running dialysis machines, without human intervention. Telemedicine will be enhanced, making it possible to bring critical care resources into the most remote areas of the country. More and more, robotic systems will be responsible for performing minimally invasive procedures, administering drugs, and managing infections.”
However, as technology continues to evolve, healthcare
providers need to stay ahead of emerging regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and protect patient privacy. Kumar explains, “Emerging regulatory frameworks will significantly impact the adoption of these technologies. Governments worldwide are increasingly acknowledging the importance of stricter data protection and privacy regulations
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All the advancements must align with robust regulations to ensure data security,ethical AI usage,and global standards.Innovation must be responsible to truly revolutionise healthcare
Gerald Jaideep CEO,Medvarsity
With a supportive regulatory framework and growing awareness, smart ICUs are poised to redefine critical care in India, ensuring world-class treatment in both urban centers and remote areas
Dr Ajit Pratap
Director
and Head- Critical Care,Asian Hospital,Faridabad
to safeguard sensitive healthcare information. In India, for instance, the introduction of policies like the Personal Data Protection Bill will be crucial in determining how healthcare providers manage and secure patient data within Smart ICU systems. Compliance with these regulations will be essential as healthcare providers incorporate more interconnected
addressing this audience would be given preference.
devices and technologies into their care models.”
Baid stresses, “Simplify compliance with risk-based classifications and streamlined licensing, accelerating market entry under regulatory reforms, such as the 2023 Drugs, Medical Devices, and Cosmetics Bill. Risk-based classification and streamlined licensing will encourage foreign investment
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and domestic manufacturing of affordable, quality solutions. This integration of technology with supportive regulations will revolutionise ICUs, improve patient care, and reposition India as a world leader in med-tech.”
Stressing on the data flow, Dr Javeri explains, “Future paradigm shifts will be in data use rather than data acquisition. Technology-assisted improvements in data management, integration, and presentation that will ultimately transform critical care practice. Man behind the machine is important in generating and analysing complex data. Eaccess to complete and accurate information is must for a smart ICU. Data privacy and confidentiality are pivotal in data management.”
Dr Ajit Pratap, Director and Head- Critical Care, Asian Hospital, Faridabad also highlights, “With a supportive regulatory framework and growing awareness, smart ICUs are poised to redefine critical care in India, ensuring world-class treatment in both urban centers and remote areas.”
Wayforward
Smart ICUs hold the potential to bridge accessibility gaps and enhance efficiency in critical care. However, aligning it with robust regulations is critical.
achievements and a recent photograph,preferably in colour, high resolution with a good contrast.
Email your contribution to: viveka.r@expressindia.com viveka.roy3@gmail.com Editor, ExpressHealthcare
PUBLIC HEALTH
INTERVIEW
Idea of a safe deliveryextends beyond just saving lives
The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) has integrated The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI)’s Manyata maternal health quality standards across NABH Certification programs.This move, forms part of a strategic collaboration inked in 2022 between NABH and FOGSI,to improve the quality of maternity services. Rizwan Koita ,Chairperson,NABH and Dr Hrishikesh Pai , Trustee,FIGO Asia Oceania; Immediate Past President,FOGSI; & Chief Administrator, FOGSI-Manyata Initiative in an interaction with Kalyani Sharma shares more information on the this
Despite a decline in maternal mortality, what are the main challenges in ensuring safe, respectful, and evidence-based maternity care in India?
Dr Pai:
◆ One of the biggest challenges is the concentration of maternity facilities and skilled healthcare professionals in urban areas. As a result, periurban and rural regions often struggle to attract and retain qualified professionals, leaving these areas underserved.
◆ Many healthcare workers in these areas lack ongoing education and exposure to the latest medical guidelines and advancements, leading to outdated practices that may not align with current evidence-based standards. They also have a limited understanding of quality care, and the positive impact it can have on patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.
◆ In remote parts of India, sparse healthcare facilities coupled with inadequate transportation and infrastructure, can delay critical interventions and referrals to specialists or higher-level facilities. These delays not only jeopardize the survival of mothers and neonates but also increase the
risk of preventable complications and morbidities. What one must understand is that idea of a safe delivery extends beyond just saving lives; it should also focus on preserving the quality of life for both mother and child. Every mother deserves a childbirth experience free from lasting physical and emotional scars.
What are the key benefits of
integrating Manyata’s maternal health standards into NABH certification, especially for private maternity facilities?
Koita: Integrating Manyata’s maternal health standards into NABH certification provides significant benefits for private maternity facilities. This integration ensures that facilities are evaluated on a unified set of standards, combining NABH’s
comprehensive framework with Manyata’s focus on safe deliveries and maternal health best practices. The collaboration enhances resource efficiency by enabling facilities to align their training, infrastructure, and operational efforts toward a consolidated maternal care framework. Moreover, the joint accreditation by NABH and Manyata significantly enhances the credibility and
recognition of these facilities. This not only builds trust with patients but also distinguishes these facilities in the healthcare market. Finally, the integration directly aligns with India’s national health goals of reducing maternal and infant mortality.
What measures are in place to ensure that this collaboration is scalable across urban and rural
Rizwan Koita
Dr Hrishikesh Pai
healthcare settings?
Koita: To ensure scalability across both urban and rural healthcare settings, NABH is focusing on expanding its assessor pool through specialised training programs, including Manyata assessors, to enhance their expertise in NABH and maternal health standards. By increasing the number of qualified assessors, the program can accommodate a wider range of facilities efficiently.
Additionally, NABH has set clear certification goals to streamline the rollout process, ensuring consistent implementation of standards across diverse regions and facility types.
What systems are being implemented to monitor the long-term outcomes of this initiative?
Dr Pai:
◆ Firstly, a Steering Committee comprising leaders from FOGSI, NABH, and other partners has been proposed to oversee the initiative’s progress, set measurable goals, provide strategic guidance, and facilitate coordination across stakeholders to ensure integrated efforts.
◆ Secondly, a tech-enabled MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) system will be developed basis the inputs from FOGSI and NABH to collect data on certified hospitals and application statuses, with analytics to track progress, identify trends, and pinpoint areas for intervention.
◆ The Steering Committee and the tech-enabled MEL system will work synergistically to ensure that the initiative's impact is measurable, scalable, and sustainable.
How do you plan to create awareness among healthcare providers and patients about the significance of these certifications?
Dr Pai:
◆ We are looking at a multifaceted outreach plan that taps into both professional networks and digital
platforms to create awareness about the importance of quality in delivery of care and these certifications.
◆ FOGSI is the professional organisation representing practitioners of obstetrics and gynecology in India. With275 member societies and over 43,000individual members spread over the length and breadth of the country.
◆ We will be working closely with the member societies that have established networks and influence, making them key allies in sensitising the healthcare professionals on the relevance of quality care and undergoing certifications. Building on this, we will leverage their CMEs (Continuing Medical Education) and conferences, supported by our fleet of 43,000 federation members and over 3000 Manyata providers, to expand the reach of the certifications. These forums will allow us to present data, success stories, and case studies demonstrating the tangible benefits of NABH & Manyata certification.
◆ We will also organise workshops for interested maternity hospital providers to gain deeper insights into the certification process and its benefits to provide quality maternal care. These sessions, along with dedicated WhatsApp groups to facilitate direct communication and updates, will provide interactive platforms to address questions, share experiences, and stay informed.
◆ On the digital front, we will share media stories and drive social media engagement across LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to raise general awareness on quality care and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on certifications.
Could you elaborate on the findings from the pilot program assessing facilities on Manyata standards? What were the challenges, and how were they addressed?
Dr Pai:
◆ Under the pilot program, 200 facilities trained on the
Manyata standards by FOGSIManyata trainers, were assessed by NABH assessors.
◆ The NABH assessors received training to undertake assessments on the Manyata standards, covering important topics such as patient safety, infection control and documentation. These 200 facilities achieved a success rate of 88 per cent under assessments conducted by the newly trained NABH assessors. This is very close to the typical 90 per cent success rate achieved under the Manyata assessments done by FOGSI assessors. This demonstrates that the success rates remained consistent, regardless of whether the facilities were assessed by FOGSI or NABH assessors.
◆ A major challenge during the pilot was identifying NABH assessors with obstetric and gynaecological background. To address this, NABH identified gynaecologists trained as NABH assessors and around 10 of them were trained on Manyata standards by the National Program Management Unit (NPMU) of FOGSI and empanelled as FOGSI assessors. To enhance the proficiency of the newly empanelled assessors, mock sessions and observer ship opportunities were also organised.
Can you share details about the inclusion of maternal health guidelines in NABH Digital Health Standards and their integration into HIS/EMR systems?
Koita: Over the next 12 months, NABH and Manyata will collaborate to integrate Manyata's maternal health standards into the NABH framework. Together, we aim to develop comprehensive guidelines that focus on enhancing the quality of maternal care across all phases—antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum. These guidelines will emphasise safe deliveries, reducing maternal mortality, and streamlining maternal care processes. Additionally, we will focus on integrating maternal care processes with
our digital health standards, enabling better monitoring and management of maternal health outcomes.
How does NABH plan to ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of this collaboration on maternal health outcomes?
Koita: NABH views this partnership with FOGSI and Manyata as a long-term collaboration aimed at transforming maternal healthcare in India. As part of this initiative, NABH is committed to building organisational capacity to sustain and support the program effectively. The maternal health program will complement other long-term NABH initiatives, creating a cohesive framework for quality improvement. Together, NABH and Manyata will introduce maternal clinical indicators that hospitals will be required to report regularly. These indicators will help monitor adherence to quality standards and ensure continuous improvement in maternal care.
What steps are being taken to train and expand the pool of assessors specialising in maternal healthcare?
Koita: NABH is enhancing its assessor training program to include specialised modules for maternal health, with a focus on Manyata standards. Clinicians, especially OB-GYN specialists, will receive targeted training to ensure assessments meet the nuanced needs of maternal care facilities. By building a strong pool of skilled assessors, NABH ensures that facilities are evaluated against the highest standards, driving improvements in maternal healthcare delivery. This specialisation enhances the quality of care and strengthens the credibility of accredited hospitals, particularly in critical areas like maternal and child health.
Dr Pai:
◆ FOGSI has invited its 250+ Manyata assessors to undergo the NABH Assessor Training
Program, to increase the pool of OB-GYN NABH assessors.
◆ We will extend invitations to other federation members to further increase the pool of qualified assessors.
What are FOGSI’s next steps in scaling the Manyata initiative and expanding its influence in India’s healthcare system?
Dr Pai:
◆ FOGSI plans to scale the Manyata initiative to over 5000 private healthcare facilities across India, adding 2000 more in the next two to three years. To that end, we will engage with regional OBGYN societies, local champions and existing providers within our network to build a strong grassroots movement.
◆ By working closely with national institutions like NABH, NHA, and the National Health Mission, we aim to strengthen governance and align Manyata’s standards with public health systems for a unified approach to quality care. The recent subsumption of the Manyata standards within the NABH certification programs is also expected the nudge the initiative’s visibility and credibility.
◆ We are exploring innovative financing models and publicprivate partnerships to sustain Manyata’s long-term impact. Building on its success, we aim to collaborate with the state and national governments, advocating for policies that prioritise maternal and newborn health. Introduction of cervical cancer screening, climatefriendly practices in hospitals, and advanced digital tools for better data management and quality tracking- are some of the other steps taken to address the nation’s emerging healthcare needs.
◆ We are also strategising ways to replicate the initiative in countries with similar demographics as India, to expand the program beyond national boundaries for improvements in maternal and newborn care globally.
Dr Puneet Khanduja,Lead - Health and Nutrition Practices,MicroSave Consulting (MSC) and Anirooddha Mukherjee,Manager,MSC explains how AB-PMJAYis impacting elderly care in India
Population aging is a global trend, with the number of people aged 60 and above increasing rapidly worldwide. India is also experiencing significant growth in its elderly population, a declining fertility rate (below 2.0), and rising life expectancy (over 70 years). Individuals aged 60 and above comprise just over 10 per cent of India's population, around 104 million people. This figure will rise to 19.5 per cent of the total population by 2050.
The senior care system faces significant challenges due to the lack of a comprehensive, integrated policy for elderly care and support1. Key issues include inadequate infrastructure and capacity for elderly health and welfare, insufficient evidence-based resources for managing geriatric illnesses, and a fragmented social support system. Additionally, physical infrastructure is often inaccessible, and research and development are scarce. The rise of nuclear families has diminished traditional family support, while financial insecurity and vulnerability to financial abuse remain critical concerns. Digital inequalities, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, further complicate access to services. Moreover, there is limited awareness among seniors and caregivers about available welfare services. Currently, senior care primarily focuses on facility-based medical care, neglecting nonmedical and home-based care options.
The
Ayushman Bharat
storyand howit impacts elderlycare in India
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has recently expanded its coverage to include all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their in-
come. This significant policy change aims to enhance healthcare access for the elderly population in India, which is increasingly vulnerable due to age-related health issues.
The expanded scheme will provide annual free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family for senior citizens aged 70 and above. This includes approximately six crore individuals from about 4.5 crore families. The coverage is designed to be utilized on a family basis, meaning that if there are multiple elderly beneficiaries in a household, the Rs 5 lakh limit will be shared among them.
Notably, nearly one-fourth (23.76 per cent) of all hospital admissions under the AB-PMJAY since its inception in 2018 have been for patients aged 60 or older.2
Out of the approximately six crore elderly individuals (70+ years) in India targeted for coverage under the Scheme, individuals aged 60+ years account for about 14 per cent of the total 350 million Ayushman cardholders. However, health insurance coverage remains low among
Awareness of the benefits of PMJAYamong the elderly population remains a significant barrier
the elderly population in India compared to their Southeast Asian and European counterparts due to significant disparities in access, affordability, and comprehensiveness of healthcare services.
Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers (ABHWCs) cater to the healthcare needs of India's elderly population by providing comprehensive primary care services, including preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative interventions, with a focus on community-based care, regular health assessments, geriatric-specific training for healthcare providers, and smooth referrals to higherlevel facilities. These centers now rechristened as Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs (AAM), are also tasked with promoting health literacy, immunisation drives, and cost-effective services, particularly in rural areas, but face challenges in terms of limited awareness among seniors, infrastructure gaps3, and a need to prioritise outpatient care for chronic disease management in addition to hospitalisation.
Opportunities for total value unlockof AB-PMJAY
Despite the country's expansion of PMJAY to the elderly
population, there are several opportunities for unlocking the full value of the PMJAY scheme among the target beneficiaries.
Awareness of the benefits of PMJAY among the elderly population remains a significant barrier. Access to mass media and digital platforms can be challenging for older adults, further complicating efforts to inform them about available health insurance options.
The existing healthcare infrastructure may struggle to accommodate the increased demand from an expanded beneficiary base. Smaller hospitals often operate on tight margins, and the influx of elderly patients requiring more intensive care could strain their resources. Ensuring adequate reimbursement rates that reflect actual costs incurred by healthcare providers is crucial for maintaining service quality.
Currently, the PMJAY primarily covers hospitalisation expenses but lacks provisions for outpatient care. Many elderly individuals require regular outpatient services for
chronic conditions, which are not adequately addressed under the scheme. Expanding coverage to include outpatient services is essential for comprehensive geriatric care.
The financial implications of expanding coverage to a larger population must be carefully considered. While the government has allocated funds for this initiative, ensuring timely payments to healthcare providers is vital to prevent disruptions in service delivery.
Most geriatric services are currently available at tertiary care hospitals, with limited outreach to rural areas where a significant proportion of the elderly reside. Training community health workers and enhancing primary healthcare services will be critical in addressing this gap.
While the expansion of PMJAY to include elderly citizens marks a significant step forward, several challenges must be addressed to unlock its full potential. Increasing awareness among low-income households, expanding outpatient coverage, ensuring adequate reimbursement rates, and timely claim settlements are essential for sustainable healthcare delivery. Additionally, strengthening geriatric care infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, and enhancing the training of healthcare professionals will be key to meeting the growing needs of India's aging population.
References
1. Senior Care Reforms in India: Reimagining the Senior Care Paradigm, a Position Paper by NITI Aayog
2. Calculated from NHA AB PMJAY Dashboard
3. AB HWC Assessment Report 2022, MoHFW
Dr Puneet Khanduja
Dr Anirooddha Mukherjee
FINANCE
Howdoes rural India finance healthcare?
Smriti Tandon
,Co-founder,Online
Chikitsa Mitra,emphasises the need for a focused approach to reduce the financial burden on rural India
In a small village of Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, Vishambhar's life took a tragic turn after falling ill while working as a laborer in Maharashtra. As his medical bills mounted in an unfamiliar city, he returned to his village in search of more affordable treatment. Guided by friends and family, he sought care from local hospitals and untrained practitioners. Coming from an economically weaker background, Vishambhar quickly exhausted his savings and was forced to borrow money from everyone he knew, sinking deeper into debt. To compound his troubles, he had lost his job, leaving him with no means to repay his loans. Vishambhar’s situation is not uncommon. Families in rural India frequently face difficult choices when accessing healthcare, often grappling with significant financial burdens that force them to rely on loans, sell assets, or turn to untrained practitioners.
Healthcare financing in rural India remains a formidable challenge, underscoring the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure, adequate financial support, and increased public awareness.
Means of healthcare financing in rural India:
◆ Government insurance schemes: Health insurance penetration in rural India has been traditionally low, but government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) have begun to change the landscape. PM-JAY is the world's largest health insurance scheme, providing coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year to over 12 crore vulnerable families. However, a significant barrier to the successful implementation of these schemes is the lack of awareness among the population. As of 2024, approximately 50 per cent of rural households in India are still
without government health insurance.
◆ Personal debts and loans: In the absence of sufficient insurance, borrowing becomes a necessity for many. Personal debts from friends, family members, or informal moneylenders are a common way for rural families to finance healthcare needs. Often, these loans come with exorbitant interest rates, placing a significant burden on already strained household finances. According to the 2019 National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report titled Key Indicators of Social Consumption in India: nearly 25 per cent of rural households in India resort to loans to cover their medical expenses. This statistic highlights the financial strain that healthcare costs place on families in these areas.
◆ Selling assets: In rural areas, where people often hold their wealth in tangible assets, selling or pawning jewelry and other assets like land remains an unfortunate yet common approach to finance healthcare expenses. According to the 2019 National Health Accounts report, around 40 per cent of rural households resort to selling physical assets or borrowing at high interest rates to fund medical treatment. This practice creates long-term eco-
nomic setbacks, draining families’ savings and weakening their financial security. The sale of these vital assets perpetuates a cycle of financial instability, making it difficult for families to recover from healthrelated crises.
Challenges in healthcare financing:
◆ Accessibility: Healthcare facilities in rural areas frequently suffer from shortages of medical personnel, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of essential amenities. Only 38 per cent of doctors serve rural areas, despite two-thirds of the population living there, highlighting the stark healthcare professional deficit and infrastructure imbalance between rural and urban regions. As a result, over 60 per cent of individuals from rural regions leave their home state to seek treatment for major illnesses, further increasing costs and the potential loss of wages for families already struggling to access basic healthcare.
◆ Awareness: Awareness of government healthcare initiatives is critically low, which poses a significant challenge in a landscape where these programs could serve as crucial safety nets for rural households. Many eligible beneficiar-
ies are unaware of schemes like PM-JAY due to limited literacy and a lack of targeted outreach campaigns. For example, while South India comprises only 20 per cent of the population, it accounted for over 50 per cent of PM-JAY claims, indicating that awareness in other regions is substantially lower. This gap hinders many individuals from accessing the financial support available to them.
◆ Financial barriers: Out-ofpocket expenditure (OOPE) remains a significant burden for Indian households, although it has declined from 62.6 per cent of total health expenditure in 2014-15 to 47.1 per cent in 201920, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Even when government programs provide coverage, the indirect costs associated with transportation, loss of wages, and other related expenses often deter rural households from seeking timely healthcare.
Solutions to address healthcare financing challenges:
◆ Enhancing awareness: Increasing awareness about government schemes is key to reducing the financial burden of healthcare. Village leaders, ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers, and community health workers can be instrumental in creating awareness. More structured communication campaigns, focusing on educating rural families about their rights, could help improve the situation.
◆ Telemedicine and Mobile Health Units (MHUs) Telemedicine and MHUs have emerged as viable solutions to address healthcare accessibility challenges. Telemedicine can bridge the geographical barriers by providing consultations through technology, while MHUs can bring healthcare to even the most remote villages. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the potential for tele-
health solutions, which could continue to benefit rural populations.
◆ Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and policy reforms: PPPs can play a vital role in strengthening healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. Collaborations between the government and private entities can ensure that more facilities are established, and adequate healthcare services are provided. Further, policy reforms that increase incentives for healthcare workers to serve in rural areas could help address the staffing challenges.
◆ Training programs and budget allocation: The shortage of trained healthcare professionals is one of the most significant challenges. Currently, only 38 per cent of doctors serve in rural areas, where approximately two-thirds of the population resides. Therefore, enhancing training programs and ensuring that rural healthcare centers receive a greater share of healthcare budgets are essential steps in improving healthcare in rural areas. The government should allocate more resources toward healthcare infrastructure to bring facilities in line with the population norms.
Healthcare financing in rural India involves a complex interplay of government schemes, personal sacrifices, and informal financial mechanisms. To alleviate the financial burden, there must be a concerted effort to enhance awareness, improve healthcare infrastructure, and make existing government initiatives more accessible and understandable. Until such changes take hold, rural households will continue to face financial vulnerability, often paying a heavy price for the most basic of healthcare services. Empowering rural communities with the knowledge and means to access formal healthcare support is key to creating a healthier, more financially secure future for rural India.
HEALTHCARE TRENDS
MidmarkIndia and wissner-bosserhoff partner to bring luxurycare beds to India
Midmark India gains access to advanced technology and design,while wissner-bosserhoff benefits from Midmark's established market presence and extensive network
Midmark India, a leading manufacturer of medical furniture & hospital beds, and wissnerbosserhoff, a renowned German manufacturer of hospital beds, have entered a strategic partnership to bring luxury care, aesthetically designed hospital beds to India and SAARC countries. These innovative beds feature advanced technology, superior comfort, and a focus on patient well-being, marking a significant milestone in elevating patient care and comfort in the region.
Midmark India aims to
leverage this partnership to solidify its position in the premium hospital segment and drive market share growth
The partnership, formalised with a product launch in October 2024, introduces a first-of-its-kind offering to the market. wissner-bosserhoff beds are renowned for their focus on patient well-being, going beyond functionality to create a homelike and dignified environment that prioritises patient individuality and comfort.
to deliver world-class healthcare solutions to the markets we serve. By collaborating with wissner-bosserhoff, we are bringing innovation and excellence to top-end hospitals, ensuring better patient outcomes and enhanced care experiences."
Sumeet Aggarwal, Managing Director, Midmark India said, "This partnership marks a new chapter in our mission
Melvin Kong, Area Sales Manager, APAC, wissnerbosserhoff said, "We are excited to partner with Midmark
India, a leader in the healthcare industry, to introduce our cutting-edge products to a new market. This collaboration allows us to extend our reach and impact, bringing high-quality, inn ovative solutions to healthcare providers and patients in India." This long-term collaboration leverages the strengths of both companies. Midmark India gains access to ad-
vanced technology and design, while wissner-bosserhoff benefits from Midmark's established market presence and extensive network. The partnership initially targets premium and boutique hospitals in metropolitan areas and tier-1 cities, with plans to expand further.
Midmark India aims to leverage this partnership to solidify its position in the premium hospital segment and drive market share growth. The company is committed to addressing challenges in the Indian healthcare infrastructure by introducing innovative products that meet the evolving needs of the market.
Srinivas Naidu,Senior Product Manager-Coagulation,Marketing,Sysmex explains about the key features of Sysmex coagulation analyzers
Coagulation testing is a cornerstone of hematology, essential for diagnosing bleeding disorders, monitoring anticoagulation therapy, and guiding surgical procedures. Sysmex Corporation, a global leader in laboratory diagnostics, has developed a range of state-of-the-art coagulation analyzers designed to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of hemostasis testing. This write-up explores the technology, features, and clinical significance of Sysmex coagulation analyzers, highlighting their impact on laboratory medicine and patient care.
Overviewof Sysmex Corporation
Founded in 1968, Sysmex has established itself as a pioneer in the field of laboratory diagnostics, particularly in hematology and coagulation. The company is dedicated to innovation, focusing on advancing laboratory technologies to improve patient outcomes. Sysmex's coagulation analyzers are recognised for their precision, user-friendly interfaces, and ability to integrate seamlessly with laboratory information systems.
The importance of coagulation testing
Coagulation tests measure the blood's ability to clot, which is crucial for diagnosing conditions such as hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and thrombosis. Accurate and timely testing is vital for:
◆ Diagnosis: Identifying bleeding disorders and coagulopathies
◆ Monitoring therapy: Assessing patients on anticoagulants like warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)
◆ Surgical planning: Evaluating hemostatic function preand post-surgery
Traditional testing methods,
such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), can be time-consuming and may involve manual processes that increase the risk of error. Sysmex's analyzers address these challenges by offering automated, efficient solutions.
Keyfeatures of Sysmex
coagulation analyzers
Sysmex offers several models of coagulation analyzers, including the CN-3000, CN-6000, CS1600, CS-2400, and CS-2500. Each model incorporates advanced technologies that enhance the testing process:
◆ Automation and efficiency: Sysmex analyzers are designed for high-throughput testing, allowing laboratories to process a large volume of samples quickly. Automated sample handling reduces the need for manual intervention, minimising the risk of errors.
◆ Advanced analytical techniques: These analyzers utilise various methodologies, including optical and mechanical detection, to accurately measure clot formation. This allows for precise quantification of clotting factors, leading to reliable test results.
◆ User-friendly interface:
The intuitive design of Sysmex analyzers enables easy operation, reducing the training time required for laboratory staff. The touchscreen interface and clear displays streamline workflow, making it easier to navigate through testing protocols.
◆ Comprehensive testing menu: Sysmex coagulation analyzers can perform a wide range of tests, including PT, aPTT, fibrinogen, and thrombin time, as well as specialised assays for specific conditions. This versatility makes them suitable for diverse clinical settings.
◆ Integration with Laboratory Information Systems
(LIS): Sysmex analyzers can connect to existing LIS, facilitating seamless data management and reporting. This integration enhances workflow efficiency and ensures that clinicians have access to real-time results.
Clinical
applications
The clinical applications of Sysmex coagulation analyzers are extensive. They play a crucial role in:
◆ Diagnosing coagulation disorders: The accurate measurement of clotting factors aids in diagnosing conditions such as hemophilia, which requires precise identification of factor deficiencies.
◆ Monitoring anticoagulation therapy: Patients on anticoagulants must be monitored regularly to ensure therapeutic efficacy while minimising the risk of bleeding. Sysmex analyzers provide timely results, allowing healthcare providers to adjust dosages accordingly.
◆ Preoperative assessment: Evaluating a patient’s coagulation status before surgery is essential for preventing perioperative complications. Sysmex analyzers offer rapid results, enabling timely decision-making.
◆ Research and development:
Sysmex analyzers are also employed in research settings, where they contribute to studies investigating new therapies and understanding coagulation pathways.
Qualitycontrol and reliability
Quality control is critical in laboratory testing, especially in coagulation, where results can significantly impact patient management. Sysmex analyzers incorporate built-in quality control mechanisms to ensure accuracy:
◆ Real-time monitoring: Continuous monitoring of analyzer performance allows for immediate identification of potential issues, ensuring that results remain reliable.
◆ Automated calibration: Regular calibration processes minimise variations in test results, maintaining consistency across different testing sessions.
◆ Standardisation: Sysmex adheres to international standards for coagulation testing, ensuring that results are comparable across different laboratories.
Advantages of Sysmex coagulation analyzers
◆ Enhanced accuracy: The combination of advanced detection methods and automated processes leads to highly accurate test results, reducing the likelihood of false positives or negatives.
◆ Increased efficiency: The high throughput capabilities of Sysmex analyzers enable laboratories to handle increased testing volumes without sacrificing quality.
◆ Improved patient care: Rapid and reliable coagulation testing supports timely clinical decision-making, ultimately enhancing patient safety and outcomes.
◆ Cost-effectiveness: By streamlining laboratory processes and reducing errors, Sysmex analyzers can contribute to cost savings for healthcare facilities.
Future directions
The future of Sysmex coagulation analyzers looks promising, with ongoing advancements in technology and integration:
◆ Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Future analyzers may incorporate AI to enhance data interpretation, predict patient outcomes, and improve diagnostic accuracy.
◆ Point-of-care testing: Expanding the capabilities of coagulation testing to point-ofcare settings could further improve patient management, particularly in emergency situations.
◆ Expanded assay menu: Continuous research may lead to the development of new assays, enabling a more comprehensive evaluation of hemostasis.
Conclusion
Sysmex coagulation analyzers are at the forefront of laboratory diagnostics, offering innovative solutions that enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of coagulation testing. With their advanced features, these analyzers not only improve patient care but also streamline laboratory workflows, ultimately contributing to better healthcare outcomes. As technology continues to evolve, Sysmex remains committed to advancing coagulation testing, ensuring that clinicians have the tools necessary to provide optimal patient care. By continually investing in research and development, Sysmex is well-positioned to lead the future of coagulation diagnostics, ultimately enhancing patient safety and treatment efficacy in clinical practice.
Needle-free connectors: Asafe and secure revolution in medical care
Atharwa Mishra, Officer,Ami Polymer Pvt Ltd explains about the rise of needle-free connectors, innovative devices offering a revolutionary approach to intravenous (IV) access and medication administration
Abstract
For decades, needles have been a vital tool in healthcare settings, used for everything from administering medications to drawing blood. However, needles also pose a significant risk of accidental needlestick injuries (NSIs) for healthcare workers and potential bloodborne pathogen contamination for both patients and staff.
Introduction
The concept of a needle-free system for accessing vascular lines can be traced back to the early 20th century. However, the development of practical and reliable needle-free connectors only gained significant momentum in the latter half of the 20th century. Early iterations focused on addressing the
safety concerns associated with needles.
Ahistoryof innovation:
Moving beyond the needle
The primary driving force behind the development of needle-free connectors was the increasing awareness of the dangers associated with NSIs. These injuries can expose healthcare workers to serious bloodborne pathogens like He-
patitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. As the focus on sharps safety grew in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the need for a safer alternative to needles became increasingly evident.
Earlydesigns and considerations
The first generation of needlefree connectors faced challenges related to functionality and potential drawbacks. Some early designs, like split septum connectors, introduced the risk of blood reflux into the catheter lumen during disconnection, potentially increasing the risk of infection. This led to the development of more sophisticated designs like neutral displacement and positive displacement connectors that minimised blood reflux and ensured a more secure and controlled flow of fluids.
Beyond safety: Aholistic approach to patient care
The first generation of needlefree connectors faced challenges related to functionality and potential drawbacks. Some early designs, like split septum connectors, introduced the risk of blood reflux into the catheter lumen during disconnection, potentially increasing the risk of infection. This led to the development of more sophisticated designs like neutral displacement and positive displacement connectors that
minimised blood reflux and ensured a more secure and controlled flow of fluids.
The evolving landscape of needle-free technology
The world of needle-free connectors is not static. As research and development continue, new and improved designs are constantly emerging. Some areas of exploration include:
◆ Self-sealing mechanisms: These mechanisms would further simplify the use of needlefree connectors and minimise the risk of contamination during connection and disconnection.
◆ Integrated medication delivery systems: Future connectors might incorporate features for controlled and targeted delivery of medications, enhancing functionality and potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Making the switch: Balancing costs with benefits
While the initial cost of needlefree connectors might be slightly higher compared to
traditional needle-based systems, the long-term benefits outweigh this initial investment. Reduced NSIs translate to fewer worker absences and lower healthcare costs associated with treating these injuries. Additionally, improved workflow efficiency and minimised medication waste contribute to overall cost savings for healthcare facilities.
Abrighter future for a safer healthcare landscape
Needle-free connectors represent a significant advancement in promoting safety and convenience within healthcare settings. By eliminating the risks associated with needles, these devices contribute to a safer
environment for healthcare workers, a more positive experience for patients, and ultimately, improved healthcare outcomes. As the technology continues to evolve, needle-free connectors are poised to play an even greater role in the future of medical care.
Ami Polymer needle freeconnector
◆ Beyondsilicone : Ami Poly merdelivers precision. painless
Whychoose Ami Polymer for needle-free connector ?
At Ami Polymer Pvt. Ltd , we are dedicated to providing healthcare professionals with the most reliable and innovative needle-free connector solutions available. Our commitment to safety, quality, and performance is evident in every
aspect of our product development and manufacturing process. Here's why you can choose Ami Polymer Pvt with confidence
◆ Unmatched safety & quality: FDA food grade materials
We invite you to explore our range of needle-free connector solutions and discover how Ami Polymer Pvt. Ltd can help you create a safer, more efficient environment for your healthcare staff and patients. Contact us today to learn more or discuss your specific needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, needle-free connectors are revolutionizing healthcare by promoting safety and patient comfort. Ami Polymer, leveraging its silicone expertise, is proud to offer a new generation of these innovative devices. Our commitment to quality ensures a safe and reliable solution for healthcare professionals. Explore Ami Polymer's needle-free connectors and experience the future of care.
atharwa.m@amipolymer.com 9512237379
Hemant Surgical introduces GE refurbished ultrasound machines
These machines are meticulously calibrated in Japan to ensure unmatched accuracy and quality
Hemant Surgical Industries Ltd., a trusted name in the healthcare industry, proudly announces the introduction of GE refurbished ultrasound machines, designed to deliver exceptional performance and reliability. These machines are meticulously calibrated in Japan to ensure unmatched accuracy and quality.
Whychoose Hemant Surgical’s GE refurbished machines?
◆ Calibrated machines by Japan
Each machine undergoes rigorous calibration in Japan, ensuring precision in imaging and superior diagnostic capabilities.
◆ All probes available
A wide range of probes is available to cater to diverse diagnostic needs, making these machines versatile for various clinical applications.
◆ Spare parts availability
Continuous operation is guaranteed with readily available spare parts, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.
Comprehensive maintenance plans
◆ Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC): Ensures regular servicing and upkeep for optimal performance.
The refurbished GE machines are especially suited for the Voulson series, ensuring seamless integration and functionality.
WhyHemant Surgical?
With a legacy of excellence and a commitment to quality, Hemant Surgical is your trusted partner for ad-
vanced healthcare solutions. By offering GE refurbished machines, we aim to bring cost-effective yet high-quality imaging solutions to the market.
Get in Touch
For more details or inquiries: +91 8425840446
Marketing@hemantsurgical.com
Choose Hemant Surgical for reliability, innovation, and world-class healthcare solutions!
REGD.WITH RNI NO.MAHENG/2007/22045,POSTAL REGD.NO.MCS/162/2022 – 24,PUBLISHED ON 8TH EVERY MONTH, POSTED ON 14TH,15TH,16TH EVERY MONTH,POSTED AT MUMBAI PATRIKA CHANNEL SORTING OFFICE,MUMBAI – 400001
