Speaking about the investment opportunities in the government healthcare sector in Uttar Pradesh, Arvind Kumar, Principal Secretary, Medical, Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, said that NRIs could invest in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in the state, such as, to set up super specialty hospitals in Lucknow, a chain of maternal and child health hospitals across the state, dialysis centers and mobile medical units.
Addressing a panel discussion on the theme ‘Partners in Growth – special focus on health & education’ at the U.P. Pravasi Diwas conference organized in Agra by Government of Uttar Pradesh, NRI Department and FICCI, Kumar said the thrust of the PPP projects is to invite private players including NRIs to invest in the government healthcare sector and deliver quality affordable services to the public. Where services are required to be delivered free of cost, the private partner shall recover the cost from the Government.
Krishan Kumar, Medical Director, Fire Police EMS Academy, Country of Nassau, New York and President, AAPI, New York State, said that NRIs could play a major role in establishing a large number of medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh. He said the state needs ten times more number of medical colleges than the number that exists today.
Kumar also laid emphasis on the need for wide-scale promotion and availability of emergency medicine and care in the state. Army and police personnel need to be trained in administering emerging medicine, he said.
Nandini Tandon, Founding Partner and Group CEO, Tenacity Group Inc, said that there is a huge need for developing customized solutions for the Indian population. Globally, biotech solutions for healthcare are customized for different other populations.
Tandon added that there is also a need for solutions to tackle diseases that are typically present in India. She said that Uttar Pradesh could be a key destination for biotech initiatives to develop healthcare solutions.
Sudhir Parikh, Chairman, Center for Asthma and Allergy and Parikh Worldwide Media, said Uttar Pradesh with its network of state-of-the-art hospitals in cities like Noida, Agra and Lucknow, could be a major destination for medical tourists.
Ataat R Khan, Founder and CEO, Clear Path Healthcare Services, spoke about engaging experienced medical professionals to develop robust medical systems and services.
Piyush Aggarwal, Former Chairman AIA, Vice Chairman, GOPIO International, underlined the need for creating an investor-enabling environment in the state, especially in the area of education.
Rajesh Chandra, Vice Chancellor & President, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji also addressed the session.
Image Courtesy: Ehealth
