No external interference required to regulate private healthcare system: Justice Santosh Hegde
Emphasising the need for ushering in transparency in hospitals-patients relationship, former Lokayukta of Karnataka and judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice N Santosh Hegde lauded the efforts of the doctors in introducing self-regulation in the medical fraternity.
Justice Hegde made this remark while delivering the keynote address of the Plenary Session of PHANA – Private Hospitals And Nursing Homes Association in Bengaluru.
Justice Hegde in his keynote address at PHANA’s Plenary Session said, “Organisations like PHANA working towards effective self-governance with the primary intent of public interest will go a long way in addressing the irregularities of the system. When policies are administered keeping the interest of the public in mind what can be achieved is phenomenal”. Appealing the organisation to grow in strength Justice Hegde said that no external agency is required to interfere in the affairs of the private healthcare system.
The Plenary Session delved at length and extensively on the issues faced by the hospitals and nursing homes on streamlining and standardising services and procedures.
“80 per cent of the nation’s healthcare needs are being met by the private healthcare sector. We recognise the magnitude of this responsibility and the relevance of quality and affordable healthcare in the scenario. PHANA aims to initiate an official chapter in each district of Karnataka to instigate measures for inducing an environment for self-governance in hospitals and nursing homes across Karnataka leading to ethical conduct, professional healthcare standards and quality healthcare options for patients,” pointed out Dr Nagendra Swami, Honorary President, PHANA, after the Plenary Session of PHANA.
“PHANA is not an organisation that exists merely to protect and safeguard the interest of Private Hospitals and Nursing homes in Karnataka, PHANA is for the welfare of all healthcare stakeholders and for us the most important stakeholders are the patients and their wellbeing. The organisation will be the custodian for self-governance and excellence in healthcare. Under the aegis of the organisation various initiatives and standardisation drives will be carried out to ensure responsible and quality healthcare across Karnataka,” stated Dr. C Jayanna, Honorary VP, PHANA.
Achievers from the medical fraternity were felicitated by PHANA on the occasion. They included Dr K Ramdev, Professor of Surgery, PES Institute of Medical Sciences, Kuppam; Dr Chikkananjappa, Former President, Karnataka Medical Council and Dr P Shivananda Maiya, Founder, Maiya Nursing Home.
During the occasion, Justice N. Santosh Hegde launched the new upgraded website of PHANA and their e-Newsletter in the presence of over 200 eminent doctors, hospital owners and CEOs of reputed hospitals from Bengaluru and Karnataka.