Can higher purchase be implemented in curative medical care in some way? After much deliberations we came together and formed “The Healthy Heart for All” group and the project was named “Healthy Heart For All” [HHFA]. Dr David Green, the renowned social entrepreneur was with us in formulating the modus operandi for the project.
We launched the pilot in April 2011. Initially, we started with offering a small amount of down payment followed by remaining payments on equated monthly installment basis for ill affording patients who came in for pacemaker implantation. The response initially was guarded but in last few months this has increased phenomenally. It has helped many patients to get this life-saving device who would could not have afforded it. When we found it workable with pacemakers we extended the same to angioplasty and stents. It was an organised effort to help the underprivileged adults, and not just a few anecdotal gestures, where underprivileged adults requiring pacemakers can go home with one spending as low as Rs 37500/- all inclusive, and which can be paid onetime or in easy monthly installments. If they need an angioplasty then with a nondrug stent the cost is only Rs 67500/- and with drugs it is Rs 97500/- all-inclusive, and again which can be paid onetime or a part as easy monthly installments. Today, any body stepping in at the hospital can get the best treatment in cardiology. The hospital helps them to achieve it by sharing their burden of initial payment for which most Indian middle class is still not prepared as medical insurance is still at its infancy and only a handful has medical facilities provided by their companies. We have already catered to more than 200 beneficiaries and the need for this is growing with the inreasing awareness. The repayments have been adequate with quite a few loans closed with prepayments. We hope to extend it to other departments encompassing as many patients as possible – setting an example to the world to replicate.