Jaynarayan Vyas
The Healthcare Sector is rapidly changing in Gujarat. The Pro-active and supportive State policies, Inter-Departmental Facilities, Super-Specialty Services and the able leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi have facilitated significant achievements in this sector. These achievements of Gujarat have put the State as a preferred destination for investment in Healthcare for the Investors. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit being organized next year will have significant opportunities for investment in the Healthcare.
The Minister informed the members of Press and Media that in order to provide guidelines and directives to the investors’ an International Seminar on “Fostering Healthcare for All” is being organized tomorrow i.e. on 14 December, 2010 at the PDPU Auditorium. The Seminar would thematically address contemporary and futuristic topics such as “Evolving Innovative Investment Ecosystems in Healthcare”, “Emerging Trends & Transformational Opportunities”, “Gujarat: Marching towards a New Paradigm in the Healthcare”. The Seminar will have the presence of Health Minister of Punjab, Mr. Tikshan Sud and eminent experts such as Mr. Marvan Abdul Aziz, Business Director, Dubai Health City, Mr. Prem Jigyasi, International Consultant, Medical Tourism and other eminent personalities of international repute in the Healthcare domain. Ms. K Sujata Rao, Immediate Past Health Secretary, GoI will also remain present.
The Minister further added that Gujarat has progressively become an economically sound State. The fruits of progress and development have reached each and every individual in the State. The availability of Hospitals and Healthcare facilities in all areas of the State has enhanced the health of the citizens of the State. It has also led to increase in demand of Super-specialty services. This has also led to huge investments by the Corporates in the Healthcare Sector and in sophisticated technology, latest Machinery and Insurance.
The Minister informed that the Department of Health & Family Welfare has adopted a holistic approach towards Health Services. Elaborating on the same he informed that the determination and clear vision of the State has made it possible for Gujarat to bring in a positive change in the entire country. Gujarat’s Gender Ratio in 2007 was 879 Girls to 1000 Boys. As a result of the “Beti Bacho” campaign of the State Government, this figure has rose to 905:1000. The State has initiated various measures to give healthy life to its citizens. The major initiatives are on Mother and Child health front and reduction of mortality rate. The present Mortality Rate for Mother is 160 and that of Child is 50, which is expected to reduce to 130 & 47 respectively by 2011 and 100 & 30 respectively by 2015.
He further said that citizen oriented healthcare activities cannot be handled alone by the State Government. He shared that the State Government has through Public Private Partnership (PPP) successfully implemented many projects. The Government has achieved excellent results from initiatives like “Bal Sakha Yojna”, Chiranjeevi Yojna” and “Extended Bal Sakha Yojna”. At the same time in terms of quality the State Government has been proactive in undertaking NABH, NABL Accreditation. The 108 Ambulance has not only enabled effective delivery of emergency services in urban areas but also in the rural areas of the State. The Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC), U N Mehta Cardiology and Research Centre and Gujarat Cancer Research Institute, etc. have effectively delivered quality services under the PPP mode. The State Government has invested in Healthcare Infrastructure like 1072 Primary Health Centres, 7274 Sub-Centres, 273 Community Health Centres and 85 Mobile Healthcare Units are providing effective services in the State. In the urban areas the State has 1 Infectious Disease Hospital, 2 Eye Hospitals, 4 Mental Health Hospitals, 26 Subsidiary Hospitals, 24 District Hospitals and 112 Grant-in Aid Hospitals.
Healthcare Opportunities in Gujarat
Informing about the growing opportunities in the area of Healthcare Education and Services, the Minister informed that there are several opportunities such as, ‘Modern Health Education’, ‘Medi-City’, ‘Out Sorucing of Health Services’, ‘Health Insurance’, ‘Accreditation Services’, ‘MRI and CT Scan’ centers, strengthening of Primary and Community Healthcare Services, Physiotherapy, Accu-pressure, Clinical Research, etc. Moreover, Gujarat is also welcoming World’s leading medical institutions to join hands.
Important Areas for MoU:
* Healthcare Infrastructure
* PPP for Healthcare Facilities in Rural Areas in Gujarat
* Healthcare Education & Training
* Healthcare Facility Management
* IT Services for Healthcare
* Setting-up of Super-Specialty Hospitals
* Hospital Supplies (Hi-tech State of Art Medical Equipments)
* Diagnostics
* Ambulatory Care/ Services
* Medical Insurance
* Medical Systems/Equipments (Imaging/Radiology/Diagnostics)
* Hospital Waste Management
* Tele-diagnostics
* Alternative System of Medicine (AYUSH)
* PPP for Urban Healthcare Centers
* Quality Accreditation
* Medicities
Medical Tourism: Fast Developing Health Centres
Recently there has been a phenomenal growth in the Medical Tourism Sector in Gujarat which includes: ‘Sophisticated Technology and Capability’, Gujarat’s Hospitality and affordable rates. Not-only NRGs but NRIs as well as Foreign Nationals are also attracted due to the peace and security that the State offers.
Factors that promote Medical Tourism in Gujarat:
1. Suitable Tourism Destinations
2. Excellent Infrastructure
3. Modern Hospital Facilities
4. Convenience of time and services
5. Excellent Services at Low Cost
6. 32% of NRIs are Gujaratis
Department of Health & Family Welfare have many projects in the pipeline for the benefit of the citizens. The upgradation and renovation of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital at the Cost of Rs. 1000 Crores is in the offing. Cancer Society is posed to commence Super-Specialty Services and a Medical College. Additionally, medical colleges at Sola, Gotri, Patan and Valsad are likely to start soon.
In the School Health Programme, during the last 10 years, 96774055 children’s health has been inspected out of which 37394 children with ailments of heart, kidney and cancer have been provided free services. This year the School Health Programme has started from 3rd December in which more than 1.5 Crore Children’s Health will be inspected. In the first week itself inspection of 14 lakh has been undertaken.