The Government of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP), Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) and Religare Enterprises signed an MoU to support the development of the state’s healthcare services. Dr Rashmi Saluja, Executive Chairperson, Religare Enterprises in interaction with Kalyani Sharma talks about the objective behind this MoU and the partnership’s long term impact on the state
Can you elaborate on the key objectives and motivations behind the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and your organisations?
As an organisation Religare through the Religare Care Foundation (RCF) is committed to the cause of healthcare, education, and sports. Our MoU with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) is rooted in this commitment. The broad objectives encompass strengthening tertiary care facilities, addressing the healthcare skills gap, and ensuring affordable and equitable healthcare for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
The agreement and its goals are in line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to enhance the healthcare infrastructure in the Northeast. This endeavour will not only bolster healthcare initiatives in the region but also improve social infrastructure.
The first initiative under the MoU is to establish a “Centre of Excellence for Renal Sciences” at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (TRIHMS). The objective is to bring advanced medical care closer to residents of the State, thereby reducing the need to travel to other cities to avail of medical services related to renal health problems.
We are thankful to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh for choosing RCF and SGRH as esteemed partners in its ambition to develop the healthcare infrastructure and services in the State.
What do you envision as the long-term impact of this partnership on the healthcare landscape of Arunachal Pradesh?
The partnership is poised to have a transformative and lasting impact on the healthcare sector in the state. The establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Renal Sciences marks the beginning of a comprehensive healthcare transformation, potentially leading to the creation of additional specialised medical facilities. This approach will significantly increase access to advanced healthcare services for state residents, reducing disparities and financial burdens associated with seeking specialised care outside the state.
Religare has onboarded SGRH as a technical partner in the agreement. SGRH is a leading healthcare service provider in the country. The institution will play a crucial role in providing necessary advice to the relevant health agencies of the State. It will also support by providing training and sharing medical protocols with the healthcare staff of Arunachal Pradesh.
Over the long term, this partnership will work towards making Arunachal Pradesh a hub for specialised medical care in the Northeast, attracting patients from neighbouring regions and contributing to the state’s economic development. Additionally, the enhanced healthcare infrastructure could drive medical research and innovation within the state, propelling advancements in healthcare practices.
The positive spill-over effect may extend to medical education, as improved healthcare facilities often attract educators, students, and professionals, potentially fostering the growth of medical education institutions within the state.
This partnership, driven by a commitment to affordable and equitable healthcare, can potentially bring about a comprehensive healthcare evolution, positively impacting the health and well-being of citizens in the region and solidifying the state’s position as a leading healthcare destination.
We share a vision with the State to develop it as a hub for medical services in the region, and all our initiatives under this agreement will be for achieving this vision. Moreover, it will also make the state’s healthcare system future-ready to tackle COVID-like pandemics.
How do you believe this collaboration will further contribute to closing the skills gap? Can you provide examples of the training and skill development programs that will be implemented to elevate the capabilities of healthcare professionals in the state?
This collaboration holds great potential to significantly contribute to closing the skills gap in the state’s healthcare sector. The technical advisory support from SGRH will play a pivotal role in enhancing the capabilities of local healthcare professionals. By sharing best practices, advanced medical knowledge, and specialized clinical techniques, this partnership can empower local doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to offer a higher standard of care.
Possible examples of training and skill development programs that will be implemented under this collaboration include specialised medical workshops. These workshops could cover a range of critical areas, such as advanced surgical techniques, diagnostic procedures, and patient management protocols.
Additionally, mentorship programs led by experienced medical professionals from SGRH could provide invaluable guidance to local healthcare practitioners, helping them navigate complex cases and stay updated on the latest medical advancements.
Furthermore, capacity-building efforts might involve improving the knowledge and application of cutting-edge medical equipment and technologies, ensuring that healthcare professionals in Arunachal Pradesh are well-equipped to handle diverse treatment scenarios.
What challenges do you anticipate encountering during the execution of these healthcare projects, and what strategies have been put in place to overcome them?
We don’t see any significant challenge in executing healthcare initiatives under this partnership. Our confidence is based on the strong commitment we have been witnessing right from the start of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and its officials towards improving healthcare services in the State.
Additionally, we have a very strong technical partner in SGRH, which is an institution of global repute. The hospital has dedicated its resources, including doctors, to this work.
However, Arunachal Pradesh is a large state with a dispersed population. Providing universal access to quality healthcare will involve innovative use of technology and resources. Already the government has deployed drones for supplying medicines to remote areas in the state. This initiative can be further augmented through the use of telemedicine, which will allow quality medical advice to reach the remotest corners of the state in a cost-effective way. Such interventions can be planned with the backing of the government machinery. We are confident that with the support of the government and our technical partner, we will be able to register progress. Also, quality healthcare is dependent on quality medical staff. We have identified this as a gap and are already starting work on that in the form of training and skilling.
Kalyani.sharma@expressindia.com
journokalyani@gmail.com