The Hindu Business Line : `Healthcare sector must self-regulate'

THE healthcare industry was called upon to bring in a self-regulation mechanism that will enable various players in this growing industry bring in necessary internal control and also streamline its overall functioning that was necessary to bring in much-needed credibility.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the Andhra Pradesh Private Hospital and Nursing Home Association (APNA), the State Minister for Home, Mr Devender Goud, said the private healthcare providers were playing a significant role in the healthcare administration and they have helped bridge the gap of supplementing the effort of the Government as it was not possible for Government hospitals alone to meet such a huge requirement.

With regard to some of the concessions that the healthcare industry representatives have been articulating lately, Mr Goud said that the State Government can provide land and other related infrastructure and facilitate them to locate good centres, but it was not possible to bring down some of the imposts laid on the sector.

Earlier, the Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, Dr C. Prathap Reddy, said that it was high time Indian hospitals sought global opportunities as India has become a healthcare provider of choice for the world. The time is ripe for small- and medium-sized nursing homes and private hospitals to move up the value chain and grow in both size and the range of specialities that they could offer to people.

Dr Reddy called upon the Government to extend sops to the healthcare industry as was being extended to the IT sector. If this were done, the healthcare sector players would be in a position to play a more significant role in realising the potential of the sector.

Dr T.V. Balakrishna, in his presidential address of APNA, said that the healthcare sector had to confront several tax-related issues and the Government has to look at addressing them to enable a congenial atmosphere for growth.

He referred to cases filed by APNA against the commercial taxes department regarding dual system of professional tax and how the organisation had forced the Government to adopt a single window system.

Regarding the implementation of biomedical waste, Dr Balakrishna said, "Our State was among a select few who have implemented the Pollution Control Board norms. Yet some issues regarding bio-medical waste, and establishment tax continue to dog the private players in the healthcare industry."

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
Attestation counters sought for overseas jobseekers

Tropical systems hinder weather forecasts

Pension funds: Private sector to play key role
Govt settles for one public sector entity

Orissa bid to expand mangroves

Sanitation at Sabarimala

`Philippines may relax visa rules'

Commonwealth official coming

Rs 250-cr plan to upgrade KSRTC bus stands

Kerala: Infrastructure needs on exports front stressed

Govt, pharma cos to discuss AIDS drugs price-cut today

IT could help reduce power losses: Expert