'The Conference Will Highlight Importance Of  Multisectoral Approach In Healthcare'

A three-day 'International Conference on Planning and Designing of Healthcare Facilities' is being jointly organised by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi as part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations. The conference will be in collaboration with School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi and Indian Institute of Architects (IIA). The conference will be held at Hotel Cidade-de-Goa, Goa from 15-17 September, 2006. One of the chief organisers, Dr Shakti Kumar Gupta, who is Medical Superintendent, Dr RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi, spoke to Express Healthcare Management about the importance of the conference.

Please tell us the significance of the conference.

Globally, healthcare systems are experiencing increasing fiscal, demographic and consumer pressure. There have been metamorphic changes in recent past in the sphere of healthcare delivery. Planning, design and final architectural expression in healthcare is reflective of the gradual shift in outlook of healthcare institutions from merely treating the sick to a concerted approach to harness healthy living. This has been triggered by globalisation, increased expectations of seekers and providers of healthcare, and the participation of private players in the health sector. In our pursuit for knowledge and vision for the profession, this conference has me and Dr R Chandrashekhar, Senior Architect, DteGHS, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MHFW), as the chief organisers. More details about the conference can be obtained at www.healtharchcon.com

What are the objectives of the conference?

The main objectives are to:

• Deliberate emerging trends in planning and designing of healthcare facilities.
• Highlight the changing role of future hospitals in evolving healthcare environment.
• Establish dynamic networks between diverse disciplines of medicine, architecture, finance and management; and integrate them for evolving patient-focussed and environment-friendly trends in hospital planning and design.
• Assess future projections for healthcare sector and financing of healthcare facilities.
• Explore avenues for integration of IT in healthcare delivery as a virtual outreach arm of multi-specialty care.
• Deliberate on issues concerned with strengthening of healthcare facilities in urban and rural setting at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Who will participate in the conference?

The World Health Organisation has highlighted the importance of a multisectoral approach in delivery of healthcare. It has floated the concept of 'Working together for health' as the theme for sixth year of this millennium. The conference is a stepping stone in this direction. In view of the above, 350 select experts are expected to participate in this conference which includes hospital promoters, healthcare/ hospital policy-makers, representation from financial institutions, facility managers, health and hospital administrators, hospital planners, project consultants, engineers, architects, equipment manufacturers and distributors and experts from the construction industry.

We have also extended invitation to health ministers, health secretaries, principals of medical colleges from public as well as private institutions and Director Health Services besides our architect and engineer colleagues.

Who are the speakers and guest of honour?

Dr A Ramadoss, Hon'ble Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare has consented to be chief patron for the conference and will address the experts. Dr Samlee Pliangbangchang, WHO (Regional Director for South-East Asia Region) has agreed to be the Guest of Honour and will deliver the Keynote Address. P K Hota, Secretary, MHFW; Deepak Gupta, Additional Secretary Health; Dr RK Srivastava, Director General Health Services; Rajesh Bhushan, Director International Health, MHFW have already confirmed their participation in sharing their views and experiences.

Dr N K Sethi, Advisor Health, Planning Commission; Prof P C Choubey, HOD, Hospital Administration, AIIMS; Prof Vijay Sohoni, President, Council of Architecture; Prof Gurunath Dalvi, President, IIA; Divya Kush, Chairman, Board of Architectural Education, IIA; Prof Subir Saha, Director, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi; Prof KT Ravindran, Dean, SPA, New Delhi; Prof Satish Khanna, HOD (Architecture),SPA, New Delhi; Dr JC Mehta, National President, Institute of Hospital Engineering (IHE), Chandigarh have also confirmed their availability.

Experts from India, architects, project consultants and senior faculty from US, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Sweden, UK and South Asian countries are also participating.