NHPS: The way forward

Healthcare Senate 2018 saw several leaders and game changers of the India’s private healthcare sector come together to converse and contemplate on vital issues shaping the future of the healthcare industry, with a focus on the theme Healthcare 2.0: Strengthening Values for Sustainable Growth.

One such discussion was on ‘NHPS: The way forward’ by an eminent panel comprising Lokesh Sharma, Senior Principal & Practice Leader – Public Health, AMESA at IQVIA; Joy Chakraborty, COO, Hinduja Hospital; Dr Shaktivel Selvaraj, PHFI and Alexander Thomas, President, AHPI.

The panel discussion saw experts and veterans of the industry discuss on the impact of initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat on the private healthcare sector. While they lauded the intent of the government, the experts were also of the view that it should be implemented in a manner which would benefit all stakeholders. They also mulled on the need to find and create alternate revenue streams for healthcare organisations to make them sustainable and profitable.

Stressing on the importance of all stakeholders collaboration, the experts also reviewed various approaches to remain profitable and sustainable in these times. They drew inferences from similar schemes adopted by state governments and examined their successes as well as failings. They also advocated that the quality of treatment at public sector hospitals should be improved to make the scheme more effective.

The panelists concluded the discussion with the unanimous view that putting effective systems in place to bring in efficiencies as well as to reduce misuse and frauds would be crucial to making NHPS successful.

Key takeaways

• Out-of-pocket spending for healthcare in India is very high and the role of every government funded insurance scheme is to bring this down. However, any scheme which only targets hospitalisation will not succeed in reducing out-of-pocket spending.
• It is important for all stakeholders to collaborate and find common meeting ground to make Ayushman Bharat a successful initiative.
• There is a need to find and create alternate revenue streams for healthcare providers to make schemes like Ayushman Bharat successful and sustainable.
• It is imperative to improve the quality of healthcare services provided at government hospitals. Healthcare services in India should be provided with a 70:30 ratio, with the government providing 70 per cent of the services.
• Putting systems in place to bring in efficiencies and reducing misuse and frauds of NHPS. Proper regulations are also very pivotal to the scheme’s success.

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