RP Khandelwal, Chairman, HLL Lifecare, started off by outlining the current scenario of public health in India. He raised concerns on the rising out-of-pocket expenditure in healthcare and said that need of the hour is to come up solutions to provide, affordability medicines and services to all. He also recommended the creation of a comprehensive care delivery system for India on a priority basis. He was also in favour of adopting technology to make our country’s healthcare system smarter.
He then shared the story of HLL’s growth trajectory from a condom manufacturer to a PSU involved in a range of activities. Today, its services range from pharmacies to contraceptive manufacturing and diagnostic centres. HLL not only provides affordable pharmacy products but also affordable services. As a government-owned organisation it has made a difference by providing drugs, diagnostic services, maternal care, opthalmalogy supplies and health promotions in terms of educating patients on various health issues and making them aware of the available government facilities.
Khandelwal also divulged HLL’s future growth strategies. “Going forward, we will be bringing down the price of medical device and will be setting up 300 AMRIT stores to increase access to medicines. We will also be partnering with the governments of Maharashtra and Assam to provide diagnostic services. We see a huge opportunity in diagnostics and medicine distribution. We will be setting up a medtech park in Chennai for providing business opportunities to companies who wish to manufacture high quality devices and provide it at affordable rates,” he disclosed.
He also spoke about the Lifecare hospitals that focusses on providing dignified child delivery care for women living below poverty line.
Key announcements
- Setting up 300 AMRIT stores to increase access to medicines
- Setting up a meditech park in Chennai