Exploring the strategic advantages and opportunities in Nashik’s thriving healthcare sector
Nashik, a thriving tier II city in Maharashtra, is rapidly emerging as a prominent center for advanced medical services, showcasing remarkable growth and development in its healthcare sector. A city surrounded by Maharashtra’s lively scenery, stands out not only for its rich culture and history but also as a promising player in the healthcare sector.
Lately, Nashik has gained attention as a growing healthcare destination, providing distinct benefits and prospects for enterprises aiming to excel in the healthcare domain.
The factors driving Nashik’s journey towards becoming a leading healthcare hub and contributing to its rise and the opportunities it presents for stakeholders in the healthcare industry:
Strategic location and connectivity
The transformation of Nashik into a healthcare hub didn’t happen overnight. It was a gradual process marked by strategic investments, infrastructure development, and a focus on quality medical services.
One of Nashik’s key strengths as emerging healthcare hub is its strategic location and excellent connectivity. Situated in close proximity to major cities like Mumbai and Pune, Nashik enjoys robust transportation networks, including highways, railways, and airways. This connectivity not only facilitates the movement of goods and services but also enables easy access for business stakeholders, making Nashik a convenient and accessible hub for healthcare activities.
Sharing his views, Abrarali Dalal, Director and CEO, Sahyadri Group of Hospitals, Pune shares, “Nashik has transformed significantly from being recognised primarily as a spiritual city to becoming a rapidly developing healthcare hub over the last five years. This shift occurred as local residents began seeking quality healthcare within Nashik instead of traveling to cities like Pune or Mumbai. The entry of corporate hospitals marked a pivotal change, dispelling previous apprehensions about corporate healthcare. These hospitals introduced a blend of affordability and quality, attracting both local talent and patients from surrounding areas.”
Dr Raj Nagarkar, Managing Director and Chief of Surgical Oncology & Robotic Services, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik also highlights, “The availability of good connectivity by road and rail, and now air connectivity as well, offers add-on benefits to the patients who get appealed to or attracted to Nashik. Nashik is blessed as far as its ecosystem is concerned, and being in Nashik is a blessing because of its weather and surroundings, which make it a perfect destination for wellness and alternative medicine practices such as Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy. All of us know that the Vipassana Kendra located at Igatpuri has been in existence for more than 2–3 decades. This holistic approach to healthcare attracts individuals looking for non-conventional treatment options as well.”
State-of-the-art infrastructure and comparatively lower cost of healthcare have fueled the growth of medical tourism in Nashik. It attracts patients not only from within the state but also from other regions.
On this, Dr Nagarkar added, “Recently, the Indian government has definitely made a significant push to promote medical tourism in tier-2 and tier-3 cities as well. These are likely to benefit Nashik. Initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Yojana can also enhance healthcare accessibility and affordability in the North Maharashtra region.”
Thriving healthcare ecosystem
Nashik’s healthcare ecosystem is thriving, with a diverse range of stakeholders contributing to its growth. The city is home to world-class hospitals and specialised clinics. This ecosystem fosters collaboration, innovation, and synergies among healthcare players, creating a conducive environment for business expansion and development.
Dalal also mentions, “Nashik boasts over 400 licensed hospitals within a 10-kilometer radius, with facilities ranging from 20 to over 100 beds. Major corporate hospitals have gained the community’s trust, and there is a noticeable trend of local healthcare providers expanding their services. This expansion is driven by a desire to offer comprehensive services under one roof, a demand accentuated by the post-COVID era’s shift towards healthcare insurance and preference for multi-speciality facilities. The competition among hospitals encourages improvements in infrastructure and service quality, bridging the gap between small local hospitals and larger corporate entities.”
Infrastructure and technology
One of the pillars of Nashik’s healthcare success story is its robust infrastructure and modern facilities. The city boasts state-of-the-art hospitals, specialised clinics, diagnostic centers, and rehabilitation facilities, equipped with advanced medical technologies and staffed by skilled healthcare professionals. This infrastructure has been instrumental in elevating Nashik’s status as a healthcare destination.
Infrastructure plays a crucial role in Nashik’s appeal as a healthcare hub. The city boasts modern healthcare facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, making it an attractive destination for companies involved in medical equipment, digital health solutions, telemedicine, and healthcare infrastructure development. The availability of advanced infrastructure accelerates business operations and enhances competitiveness in the healthcare market.
“The growth in healthcare infrastructure, including small nursing homes and corporate hospitals, has made Nashik a significant healthcare destination. Nashik’s appeal is further enhanced by its role in the government’s Smart City project and its strategic location, offering a blend of spiritual and healthcare services to both local and international visitors. The city’s vast periphery serves a significant population looking for quality healthcare at affordable rates, differentiating Nashik as a critical milestone in the healthcare industry”, Dalal added.
Skilled workforce and talent pool
Nashik’s skilled workforce is another asset that draws healthcare businesses to the city. With a strong emphasis on education and training in healthcare disciplines, Nashik produces a talented pool of healthcare professionals, researchers, technicians, and administrators. This abundance of skilled talent enables businesses to recruit top-notch employees, drive innovation, and deliver high-quality products and services to clients and customers.
Research and development opportunities
Nashik’s focus on research and development presents lucrative opportunities for healthcare companies. Collaborations with academic institutions, research centers, and healthcare providers enable businesses to engage in cutting-edge research, product development, clinical trials, and innovation projects. The city’s conducive R&D environment stimulates creativity, fosters partnerships, and drives advancements in healthcare technologies and solutions.
Specialised healthcare services
From cardiac care and neurosurgery to oncology and fertility treatments, Nashik offers a comprehensive range of specialised healthcare services. Leading hospitals in the city have established centers of excellence in various fields, attracting patients seeking high-quality treatment and personalised care. The availability of skilled specialists and advanced medical technologies has been a key driver in this regard.
Cost-effectiveness and competitiveness
Cost-effectiveness is a significant advantage that Nashik offers to healthcare businesses. Compared to major metropolitan areas, the cost of operations, real estate, and skilled labor in Nashik is relatively lower, allowing companies to achieve cost savings without compromising on quality or efficiency. This cost-effectiveness enhances competitiveness and profitability, making Nashik an attractive destination for healthcare investments and operations.
On affordability, Dr Nagarkar shares, “As compared to major metros in India and definitely as compared to other international healthcare destinations, Nashik offers healthcare services at a much more affordable rate with personalised care. This affordability, combined with quality care, makes it an attractive destination for patients seeking cost-effective treatment. Nashik’s geographical proximity to major cities like Mumbai and Pune enhances its accessibility for patients seeking specialised medical care.”
Challenges
According to experts, intensifying competition is one of the main challenges.
Dalal mentions, “The main challenge facing Nashik’s healthcare sector is the intensifying competition, which risks compromising patient care if not managed responsibly. However, the focus remains on providing high-quality, comprehensive services. The future of healthcare in Nashik looks promising, with several major players planning to enter the market. Specialties such as oncology, cardiology, nephrology, and infectious diseases are expected to grow, addressing the health needs of Nashik’s population and those in the surrounding areas.”
Dr Nagarkar also opines, “Nashik continues to face stiff competition from established healthcare hubs in larger cities, like Mumbai and Pune. Building awareness of Nashik’s healthcare offering and changing perceptions to position it as a go-to destination for medical needs requires significant marketing efforts and success training as well. Streamlining the processes and providing clear guidelines can help mitigate the issues with healthcare infrastructure in Nashik.”
Experts also point to a surprisingly large number of cases where patients not eligible for the state insurance cards, under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) scheme, manage to procure such cards and insist on being treated under this scheme. A larger than normal share of patients under this scheme makes it unviable for any hospital to function as the reimbursement time lag eats away at the hospital’s cash flow.
Another problem is the propensity of consultant doctors to moonlight at various hospitals and at their private practices, while national chain hospitals would whole-time exclusive consultants. While this practice is easy to implement in major metros, it becomes difficult to track such practices in smaller locations like Nashik.
Way forward
The transformation of Nashik into a healthcare hub reflects its vision, perseverance, and collaborative endeavors. Through harnessing its strengths in infrastructure, education, research, and affordability, the city has established a unique position in the international healthcare arena.
As Nashik progresses, its pursuit of healthcare excellence inspires and sets a benchmark for aspiring healthcare destinations globally.