4th NATEv 2017 held in Delhi

Healthcare experts pan India discuss and deliberate on executing sustainable healthcare systems

NATHEALTH (Healthcare Federation of India) recently organised 4th NATEv 2017, a forum for interaction between multi segment stakeholders of Indian healthcare sector. Discussions were held on various aspects of sustainable healthcare systems.

Participating in a panel discussion and giving away the road map of National Health Policy, CK Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Health Welfare (MoH&FW) said, “The policy states the intent, ambition and vision of the government of where we would like to take the health sector. No policy can be written without a backup of operational details of how we will get there. Each and every aspect that is mentioned in the policy has a document to support implementation. There are many aspects which we want to do in two years, a few in five years. As far as funding is concerned we have kept a target of 2025.”

Mentioning that currently between the state and the central government the public spend on health is Rs 2 lakh crores, Mishra said, “If it has to be around 2.5 per cent of the GDP, the public spend on health should touch Rs 8 lakh crores. This has two components, the central government share will need to grow at roughly 19 to 20 per cent per annum, the state government share needs to grow at roughly 23 to 24 per cent that is the calculation we have in our mind. Beyond the public spend, the policy clearly talks about utilising the resources in the private sector for delivering healthcare. The state governments are currently about 19 per cent and the expectations are not unrealistic.”

He also added that that price control has been an occasional aspect of health programme.

Rahul Khosla, President, Max Group, said, “There is no way that these national goals are going to be met without serious co-operation of the private health sector. We need more comprehensive and regular dialogue between government and private sector. Everybody needs to understand that whatever frameworks are put in place we need a thorough data, good analysis and a holistic participation.・

The day-long conference saw several brainstorming sessions and health sector’s top functionaries, government officials and NATHEALTH member engaged in meaningful discussions on digital health, healthcare financing and funding, PPP.

Talking to EH about the event Anjan Bose, Secretary General, NATHEALTH said, “The vision of NATEv 2017 is expected to result in tangible outcomes in the form a concerted national endeavour to equip ourselves to create a healthcare ecosystem, which is capable of effectively handling the disease burden of the country.”

Two papers were released on ‘Aarogya Bharat 2025- Whitepaper’ (Bain & Company- NATHEALTH) and ‘Enabling access to long-term finance for healthcare in India.'(PwC- NATHEALTH).