Many small hospitals and nursing homes, especially in tier-II and III cities, have been forced to close down their operations since their cash flows have dried-up stated the report

NEW DELHI - The already strained healthcare industry has been feeling the negative economic impact of COVID-19 with sliding bed occupancies and uncertainty of the burden of the virus.

These were the observations made in a study by FICCI and EY which assessed COVID impact on the private hospital and diagnostic sectors basis the study of immediate impact in the last week of March 2020, post the nation-wide lockdown. It studied median performance across 91 private healthcare players (pre-COVID). It also analyzed March week-wise revenue and occupancy levels of 10 hospitals and 5 diagnostic chains

The study noted , private hospitals and nursing homes, that constitute more than 60% of beds at 8.5-9 lac, 60% of inpatients and 80% of doctors in India, have been investing heavily over the past month in additional manpower, equipment, consumables and other resources to ensure 100% preparedness for safety in the healthcare facilities and eventual treatment of patients, if needed.

While the government is taking cognizance of financial strain in sectors like hospitality, tourism, construction, little is being discussed regarding the distress felt by the private healthcare sector.

Dr Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI and Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, "The private healthcare sector in India has stood beside the government firmly to contain the virus and is deeply committed to the war against COVID-19.

However, there is an urgent need to consider the healthcare industry's triple burden viz. low financial performance in the pre-COVID state; a sharp drop in out-patient footfalls, diagnostic testing, elective surgeries and international patients across the sector is impacting cash flow; and the increased investments due to COVID-19; which has impacted the hospitals and laboratories like never before."

The Prime Minister's call to the nation to honour the healthcare professionals has indeed been a morale booster.

However, with dwindling revenues, government measures in terms of liquidity infusion, tax reliefs and other waivers have become crucial for the survival of health services providers of the country.

Dr Alok Roy, Chair- FICCI Healthservices Committee and Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals, said, "The financial distress accentuated by COVID-19 lockdown has forced several standalone and small nursing homes in tier II and III cities to down the shutters. Many others are at high risk of closing down soon since their cash flows have dried up, due to steep decline in patient footfalls, and they are facing liquidity crisis for even sustaining their staff salaries."

In view of this, FICCI in partnership with EY, carried out a study of the economic impact of COVID-19 on private healthcare sector.

The report reveals that the private hospitals and laboratories, which were already facing multiple challenges, will witness an acute crisis due to COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown, which has resulted in occupancy levels to fall to a mere 40% by late-March vis-a-vis pre-COVID occupancy levels of ~65-70%.

This is expected to reduce even further.

The impact on diagnostic labs is even worse, with almost 80% fall in patient visits and revenue.

Mr Kaivaan Movdawalla, Partner- Healthcare, EY India, said, "While the private sector stands fully committed to partner with the government as a national duty, it truly finds itself in a compelling situation to beseech the government for 'differential' financial forbearance measures and to be supported well, in order to best utilize its capabilities and capacity to serve the nation in this hour of crisis."

FICCI-EY report recommends government support through Liquidity infusion for financing the operating losses through short term interest free/ concessional interest rate loans to address the liquidity gap to the tune of Rs 14,000 -24,000 Cr.

Although the government has issued a notification for the release of government dues under CGHS and ECHS schemes to private hospitals, which is in the range of Rs 1700-2000 crores, the payment is yet to be processed. Immediate release of such dues is crucial.

Other recommendations for providing urgent financial stimulus for the sector include:

1. Indirect tax reliefs/ exemptions/ waivers like- recoup amount equivalent to ineligible GST credits paid on procurements for a stipulated period; Customs duty / GST exemption on essential medicines, consumables, and devices for treatment of COVID patients; Waiver or reduction of health cess on medical devices, Extension of time under the EPCG scheme, etc.

2. Income tax benefits and deferment of statutory liability payments without interest, the penalty for a stipulated period (3-6 months)

3. Rebate on the commercial rate of power for a stipulated period