Dr PR Sodani, President of IIHMR University, Jaipur, talks to Muskan Jain about providing skilled administrative personnel to manage the flow of services in healthcare sector

What is the present scenario of the management of the healthcare sector in India?

India’s healthcare sector is expected to be worth $372 billion by 2022. Hospitals alone accounted for $ 61.79 billion in 2017 in India, growing at a rate of over 16 per cent every year. Clinics, diagnostic chains and other institutions that require administrative personnel to manage the flow of services between patients and healthcare staff will be the other key drivers of growth in the demand for health managers in the industry of tomorrow. The Ayushman Bharat programme needs managers with vision, commitment and integrity to ensure care to about 50 million people, thus creating many new consumers.

Can you put a number on the skilled management healthcare experts required in the industry?

The healthcare industry is expected to add 3.8 million new jobs by 2024 and 40 million by 2030. As of June 2018, the number of primary health centers (PHCs) increased to 32,743 and number of sub-centres reached 167,732in India. The Ayushman Bharat Scheme is expected to add 1,50,000 new health and wellness centres that would require professionally trained personnel to have expected outcomes.

What are the skills required?

Planning, monitoring and evaluating health outcomes; directing, coordinating stakeholders; oversee departments and groups without error; analysing and interpreting data; being a team player; negotiating skills; high-end technology.

What are the new career options emerging in the sector?

With a degree in health management, hospital management or public health, graduates can work towards managing hospitals or national level health programmes and projects. They can take-up roles like State/district level consultant, M&E consultant, quality and accreditation manager, patient services, human resources, programme coordinator, supply chain, chief information officer, communications, chief operating officer, and chief executive officer.

What changes would you like to see in the health sector?

Many factors are involved in implementing and enforcing change in healthcare. Complex and slow-to-change policies are an obvious factor, but environmental and technological factors also contribute to changes in healthcare management.

What are the latest developments that have taken place at IIHMR?

Promoting and strengthening edible oil and milk fortification in Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. To reduce micronutrient deficiencies, we have successfully implemented a food fortification project — Integrated Programme Strategy — in Rajasthan, during 2011-15, with technical and financial support from Gain. Another initiative, the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey aims to obtain information on micronutrient status, worm infestation, and the nutritional risk factors for NCDs.

What is your USP?

It has emerged globally as a unique model of an autonomous non-profit and self-sustained organisation that is focused on the social sector through research and education. We strive to improve standards of healthcare in India and abroad through excellence in academic, research, training, consulting, and technical assistance activities. Over 800 research studies and projects have been undertaken with high impact and relevance on health policy and programme strategies.

What are the popular courses?

They include MBA in hospital and health management, pharmaceutical management and field-oriented rural management programme. Master of Public Health is offered jointly with Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. There is a full-fledged multidisciplinary PhD programme. The university’s School of Development Studies offers fully-funded inclusive education to marginalised tribal students in partnership with Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation.

What new courses you are planning to introduce?

Master of Public Health, Master of Health Administration and Master of Population Science are some of the courses we are working on to introduce in the near future.

How is the curriculum module of the courses different?

The research we conduct provides solid inputs in the teaching of our courses. We specialise in industry ready methodologies and skill building.

Do you provide scholarships?

Meritorious students get up to 11 per cent waiver in fees and tuition fees waiver for all serving defense personnel at 40 per cent.

Where do the students get placed after the completion of their course?

Government agencies, insurance organisations, hospitals, diagnostics and consulting firms.

What are the growth plans?

The university will continue to provide innovative new research and training methodologies and build on capacity.

‘There’s need for healthcare managers’