Public Private Partnership or PPP as it is usually called is a widely discussed topic these days. It plays a very significant role in increasing the access for quality healthcare by making it readily available.
Understanding its feature, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has conducted a special discussion on PPP on Wednesday.
One of eminent speaker at the discussion was Pradeep Vyas, principal secretary of Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of Maharashtra. He enumerated about how PPP’s have been hugely successful in the state already.
“We have been working very well in terms of PPP in healthcare. We are also seeing a successful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) participation from private sector like PD Hinduja Hospital and its doctors coming to health camps in rural areas like Jawahar Mokhada and Palghar and treating the patients free of cost,” added Vyas.
He further said, a lot more can be done in terms of PPP in healthcare. “It is wrong to say that we haven’t developed a successful PPP model. However, yes, a lot more can be done. If the private sector is willing to help us, then the best way is through various projects like the recent one on Tuberculosis.”
Vyas mentioned about having call centres for TB that could help eradicate the disease from the state. “We have small call centres to call and remind patients about their dosages. And, we need more private players to help us with such call centres,” he added.
Dr Smita Sharma, President of AMC Mumbai, who was part of the PPP panel discussion said, “We are ready to work in the partnership. However, we need more incentives in terms of easy policies, remuneration that is relevant to the current times as well as a tailor-made insurance schemes.”
Another panelist, Dr Ashok Mehta, medical director at Brahma Kumaris Global Hospital and Managing BSES at MG Hospital suggested, “forums of discussion should be setup for finding a middle ground for PPP.”
The moderator of the session, Parijat Ghosh, Partner in Bain & Company India Pvt Ltd said, “PPPs can play a very significant role in increasing access to quality healthcare in an affordable manner. Both the government and the private sectors are stakeholders in making this a success.”