Over the past two decades, Kolkata's medical facilities have transformed significantly, reducing the exodus of patients to Chennai and Vellore
The hordes of medical pilgrims filling up berths in Coromandel Express and Madras Mail have thinned substantially over the years, as Kolkata’s private healthcare sector scrambles to make up for lost time. Kolkata was not always best served in matters of healthcare, and for patients with serious ailments and often with not-so-serious conditions, Chennai, Vellore or Mumbai were the default destinations. It was also a matter of perception as most Kolkatans believed they would receive superior care in outstation hospitals only.
However, the healthcare landscape in Kolkata has been undergoing a paradigm shift over the past two decades, riding the tailwinds of private sector initiatives, as the bed count continues to soar. The availability of able doctors was never a problem in the city and now that the pool of healthcare experts has increased significantly with a steady reverse traffic of medical practitioners coming back from the NHS in the UK and other advanced countries’ health systems to cater to the growing demand back in their hometown.Over time, the city has gradually regained its confidence in its private hospitals seeing that they aren’t short of modern facilities and latest equipment anymore. The faith is beginning to trickle back, ounce by ounce, and the Coromandel isn’t as packed with south-bound patients as before. Of course, it hasn’t happened overnight, and there is still a long way to go.
Kolkata’s progress in terms of private sector participation is in sync with the national scenario as analysts say between 2016 and now, the country’s healthcare industry has grown at a CAGR of 22% and the Centre’s allocation of Rs 90,658.63 crore for the sector in the interim Budget for 2024-25 reflects this uptrend.However, restoration of faith in any service, not the least healthcare delivery, takes a lot of commitment and meticulous planning. After all, like any other customer, a patient has a retail choice and can switch allegiance if expectations are not met.
It is well known that a big and significant milestone in this medical makeover of Kolkata was the unveiling of the Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences in 2000 by Narayana Health Group’s Founder, Dr. Devi Shetty. This set the ball rolling and many other world class hospitals started their services in Kolkata. It was the flagship venture of the founder which he started in his favourite city, Kolkata.
The journey began over two decades ago with a single speciality hospital and has grown into a network of four super-speciality hospitals in Kolkata. Now Kolkata can boast of super-speciality tertiary care, these facilities offer over 35 specialities such as Cancer Care, Mother & Child Care, and Orthopaedics. The healthcare sector in India, serving a vast population of 1.4 billion, faces challenges like inadequate infrastructure, doctor shortages, poor rural facilities, and limited health insurance access.
Addressing these issues, the Group plans a 1,000-bed hospital in New Town and a 100-bed facility in Mukundapur. The New Town hospital will treat 5,000 to 7,000 OPD patients daily. Kolkata’s hospitals also serve patients from neighbouring countries, managing a growing load of non-communicable diseases.
The adoption of cutting-edge technology and modern treatment protocols has reduced the average hospital stay from six to four days, optimizing resources. A future-ready approach aims to increase smiles by saving lives. Healthcare evolution, on desirable lines, is crucial in the region. This would lead to a higher stage of advancement, guided by the principles of compassion, innovation, and deep dedication that were envisioned over two decades ago.
(The Author is the Group Chief Operating Officer of Narayana Health. Views expressed are personal)
