Public-Private Partnership will be Strengthened in Healthcare: Veena George

KOCHI:
Health Minister Veena George said that the public-private partnership in healthcare sector in the state will be strengthened and the Kerala brand healthcare system will be taken forward effectively.

Although complex post-covidal diseases are reported, Kerala has been able to set an example in the field of covid resistance. In the last few years, the state has invested and developed the infrastructure in Health sector. The Health Minister said the inclusion of sanitary napkins and diapers in the list of essential items would be taken seriously. The Minister was speaking at a virtual meeting organized by FICCI Kerala State Council.

Ficci Kerala State Council Co – Chair Dr. M.I. Sahadulla and Chairman & MD KIMS Health Care Ltd requested the Minister that the private sector must also be trusted to implement reforms and developments in the health sector.
“There are indications that we will have to live with the corona virus again next year,” said Aster DM Healthcare CEO Dr. Harish Pillai. The only solution is to implement complete vaccination for all in Kerala, including guest workers. He also called for the implementation of comprehensive life and health insurance for health workers. He said that oxygen production should be accelerated through public-private partnerships. He said that many states were offered subsidy for oxygen generation and the state government should take this seriously. More virology labs and district level monitoring centers should be set up. He also demanded that data collection be made flawless.

The Managing Director of Baby Memorial Hospital, K.G. Alexander said that the availability of the vaccine should be increased and private hospitals should be taken into confidence. Leading neurosurgeon Dr. K.S. Jayakrishnan said action should be taken on a war footing to bring back medical tourism. Thomas John, managing director of Agape Diagnostics, called for the establishment of specialized diagnostic manufacturing parks in light of the growing importance of lab testing. More research centers should be set up in collaboration with private hospitals. He also demanded to ensure the manufacture and availability of quality control products required for the labs.

Shishir Gupta, Director, Roche Solutions, said that the disease management system needs to be effectively implemented and modernize the healthcare sector through public-private partnerships. Dentcare Dental Lab Managing Director John Kuriakose said currently he is providing employment to large number of Keralites and would be more than glad to provide more employment opportunities in the State. P.M. Ravindran. M.D. Palaghat Surgicals Industries P Ltd stated through more closer collaboration of Hospitals and Medical Devices manufactures in Kerala would benefit Hospitals and Medical and Manufactures and also they would be able to undertake R&D for hospitals in Kerala

Dr. Joseph Benayan, Executive trustee of the Lourdes College of Nursing said the Covid era was a testament to the need to build hospitals with more facilities in the future. He added that changes in the design itself were inevitable. He said the Covid period should be an opportunity to learn about the changes that need to be made in the health sector. Dr. K.M. Navas, President of the Kerala Private Medical College Management Association said that medical learning facilities should be improved and children should not have to travel to other states and countries for education.

FICCI Kerala State Council Co-Chair Deepak L Aswani welcomed the gathering. Bibu Punnooran, FICCI KESCHealth Committee Co Chair and Head FICCI Kerala State Council Savio Mathew also spoke.