Costs big concern for health care industry: Preetha Reddy

Costs are a big concern for the health care industry and all kinds of irrational costs are imposed on the industry, from procedures and outcomes to what doctors can charge, Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice-Chairperson of the Apollo Hospitals Group said.

“Everything done at hospitals has a cost attached to it. Hospitals need to survive because they have a responsibility to stakeholders, she said speaking on the topic of “will healthcare sustain its nobility and ethos?” at the conference organised by Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO).

“Healthcare is amongst the largest job providers in the country. We need to remember that quality comes at a cost, and hospitals simply cannot afford to shut down because they are not allowed to recover their costs. That said, it is the responsibility of the healthcare industry to eliminate waste of all types from their operations to keep costs as low as possible,” Ms. Reddy said.

She also said doctors are the unsung heroes of healthcare and people should not grudge on their lifestyle.

“Today is the World Health Day.. Half of the world today lacks healthcare access. More than 100 people are pushed below poverty line because of healthcare costs,” Ms. Reddy noted.

On Modicare, she said it is a good idea but the key is in execution and all stakeholders have to work together to make it a success.

K. Srinath Reddy, president Public Health Foundation of India, inaugurated the two-day CAHO conference in the presence of Ms. Reddy, Vijay Agarwal, President CAHO and other members.