Events

‘Not-for-profit organisations are the only way forward for Healthcare’

The International Healthcare Leadership Summit, held in collaboration with the Madras Medical Mission (MMM) and the International Hospital Federation, centred on the theme of 'The role of not-for-profit organisations in the Development of Healthcare'. Held at MMM campus, this conference saw an array of international experts from 25 countries and speakers from the national forum. The conference also marked the completion of 25 years for MMM since its inception in 1982. The chief guest of the International Healthcare Summit was Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, the First President of the Republic of Zambia, who is now an active participant for anti-AIDS Campaign and the founder of the Kenneth Kaunda Peace Foundation.

Discussions commenced with Dr Paul R vanOstenberg, Managing Diretcor, Joint Commission International (JCI), Asia Pacific Region, Singapore, who spoke about patient safety goals, national capacity building, the reluctance of Indian hospitals at large to follow JCI standards despite five hospitals in the country receiving the accreditation and most importantly the importance of patient awareness for quality standards to be followed.

Dr William L Aldis, Co-ordinator, Health Policy and Research, WHO Asia Pacific Office, spoke on 'Leadership and Governance of not-for-profit organisations—Why, What and When'. However, the highlight of his presentation was when he asserted, "Doctors should not be members on the governing body of the hospital."

This automatically gave room to a heated discussion among the audience who reflected on both sides of of the statement. Successful case models by different organisations were discussed post-lunch like Society For Education, Action and Research in Community Health (SEARCH), Karachi- based SIUT, Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMC) Vellore, Health World Vision, Tanker Foundation and MMM.

Prior to these presenations, Dr V Shanta, Executive Chairman, Cancer Institute, Chennai and Dr Ferdinand Siem Tjam, Ministry of Health, Suriname, South America, South America and WHO, gave the keynote address for this session. While giving a profile of her organisation, Dr Shanta informed, "Dr Reddy founded the cancer institute way back in 1954 with just a cluster of huts, but today the institute has reached a stage where we have 426 beds for cancer patients alone and 298 beds in general ward. This is all because of his vision and zeal to make a difference." Dr George M Chandy, Director, CMC, Vellore while presenting before the audience the journey (from 1900-2007) and modus operandi of CMC, Vellore remarked, "Today, I foresee that the not-for-profit organisations is the way forward for healthcare in India."

The evening saw the silver jubilee commemoration function of MMM. The function was presided over by Dr Anbumani Ramdoss, Minister for Health and Welfare, Government of India and KKSSR Ramachandran, Minister of Health and Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu (who later released the Silver Jubilee Souvenir), Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Dr Vergese Eapen and H G Yakob Mar Irenaios, President MMM.

Dr Ramadoss opined, "Indian healthcare has a long way to go. I have repeatedly warned doctors to be cautious and not to hike up the cost at any rate just to cater to international patients. This is where not-for-profit organisations have an important role to play."

Said Dr K Ganapati, Head, Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation, Chennai, while speaking on telemedicine facities practised at Apollo, "Technology has advanced to such a level that soon you will be getting all the facilities and reports on your cell phone. A hospital in your pocket!"

EH News Bureau