AHPI Global Conclave 2023: Government health schemes affect the growth of private healthcare sector

Jaipur: Major discussions have taken place in the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) Global Conclave 2023 on February 10th and 11th regarding how the Central and State Government’s health coverage schemes affect the growth of the private health sector. 

Considering that the private sector is catering to 85% of tertiary/ quaternity care, it has an opportunity to expand the base in tier-III towns and remote locations using technology and to adopt alternate healthcare delivery models, synergizing with government infrastructural initiatives.

However, the growth has been compromised due to the schemes which limit the private hospitals to charge less amount since most of the costs are covered by insurance, which is a major loss for the private sector.

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For instance, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) provides cashless cover of up to Rs 5 lakh to each eligible family per annum for listed secondary and tertiary care conditions. The cover under the scheme includes all expenses incurred on the following components of the treatment.

Senior healthcare executives, clinicians and experts in the healthcare industry present at the conclave claimed that they are facing problems in providing super specialty services to the patients and urged the government to fix the prices of health coverage.

Commenting on the issue, AHPI president Dr Alexander Thomas said, “The government should fix the prices of government health insurance schemes on the basis that private hospitals can benefit from quality medical services. It can be made available to the general public uninterruptedly.”

Director General of Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) Dr Girdhar Gyani said that they used to provide 80 per cent of super speciality services to patients in India.

Speaking at the 10th conclave of AHPI, Dr Gyani said that the cost of treatment services per bed in government hospitals comes to around Rs 8500 which was more in private hospitals. He demanded that billing must be done in government hospitals to give information about the treatment cost so that the patients could get information about the cost of their treatment.

The experts pointed out that AHPI has followed the recommendations of the government policies with more than 21000 members in the 20 States. However, the private sector is now facing challenges when it comes to implementing health insurance plans.

The AHPI Global Conclave 2023 held at Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology focused on technology, cost and patient well-being. The sessions were held to present high-level, transformational strategies and innovative approaches for delivering appropriate care at a greater value while ensuring financial stability, enhancing public trust and confidence, addressing workforce challenges and improving the healthcare consumer experience through operational excellence, creative partnerships and redefined delivery models.

Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari and Dr ML Swarnakar, Emeritus Chairperson of the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital jointly inaugurated the conclave by lighting the traditional lamp.

Speaking to the Statesman, Dr Ashok Khandaka said that the concept of making India a Vishwaguru of health care in the coming 20 years, artificial intelligence, efficient economic management, maximum use of IT and data, advanced technology, patient satisfaction and safety of health care workers were the prime areas to be developed.

The Association of Healthcare Providers (India) represents the majority of healthcare providers in India. It works as "not for profit" organization and advocates with the government, regulatory bodies and other stake holders on issues, which have bearing on enabling its member organizations to deliver appropriate healthcare services to community at large.

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