AHEL Accepts LHCL's Invitation To Assist With Management Of Apollo Hospital, Colombo

EHM News Bureau

Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, AHEL

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (AHEL) and Lanka Hospitals Corporation Limited (LHCL) recently signed a fresh 'Licensing and Support Services Agreement' that marks the start of a fresh partnership between the two companies.

Over the last few months, LHCL has seen significant restructuring, both in their Board of Directors as well as in the operations of Apollo Hospital, Colombo. In and during this period, on request from the management of LHCL, AHEL had agreed to support the medical team of the hospital for a brief time to enable a smooth transition.

However, the newly-constituted Board of Directors of LHCL reviewed the operations of the hospital, and deemed it essential to continue to have an affiliation with AHEL.

Said H Jayawardhane, Chairman, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC), "We recognise and acknowledge Apollo as being a pioneer in healthcare, and in establishing and uplifting the standards of healthcare in Sri Lanka. I give full credit to Apollo for spearheading the upgrading of healthcare infrastructure in India, Sri Lanka and other parts of the world."

Under the terms of the new agreement between the two companies, new Board of Directors of LHCL will have control over the operational management of the hospital. However, the hospital will continue to be called Apollo Hospital, Colombo. The use of the reputed Apollo Hospitals brand will ensure that the hospital maintains highest standards of service delivery.

LHCL has also requested assistance from AHEL for obtaining accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI) for Apollo Hospital, Colombo. Towards this end, a senior team from Apollo will be assisting and advising LHCL for stimulating continuous and systematic improvements in the hospital's performance and outcomes of patient care on all measurable elements, prior to the stringent evaluation process.

Apollo will also assist LHCL with the recruitment of medical personnel as and when required. Specialists in various disciplines, consultants, surgeons, nurses and other medical staff to be employed by Apollo Hospital, Colombo, will be recruited by Apollo, based on the high delivery standards set jointly by both companies.

In addition, top medical consultants from Apollo Hospitals in India will conduct periodic surgical camps in collaboration with the Colombo Hospital for patients who cannot afford treatment outside Sri Lanka. This will be for the mutual benefit of both Indian centres and the Colombo Hospital, while also proving beneficial to the patients.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership, Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, AHEL said, "Over the past 23 years, Apollo has developed significant strengths to conceptualise and manage international standard hospitals. We have built tremendous management depth, which is reflected not only in our large pool of human resources, but also the international quality standards including the JCI certification that our hospitals have achieved. We are pleased to be able to offer this heritage of expertise to our latest franchisee partner — the Lanka Hospitals Corporation. I hope that this agreement marks the start of a long and mutually-beneficial association for all stakeholders involved."

The agreement between AHEL and LHCL will be valid for a period of five years, subject to periodic medical audits conducted by Apollo.