The Human Touch in a Digital Age: How Hospitals Can Balance Tech and Empathy

Introduction

Healthcare is rapidly evolving with technological innovation transforming hospital workflows, diagnostics, and patient engagement. Yet, amidst this digital revolution, hospitals must fiercely protect what AI and automation cannot replace: the human touch. Empathy, compassionate communication, and emotional support remain critical to patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and brand loyalty.

The Current Landscape of Healthcare Technology Digital tools have made staggering improvements in reducing human error, streamlining appointment systems, and enabling remote consultations. From electronic health records (EHRs) to AI-powered diagnostics, technology drives efficiency and extends care reach. In India and abroad, telemedicine platforms are expanding access for rural and underserved populations.

However, technology can never fully replicate human connection. Patients want more than accurate data and fast appointments—they want to feel heard, trusted, and respected. A recent survey found that while 75% of patients appreciate telehealth convenience, 62% still prefer an empathetic in-person consultation when possible.

Risks of Over-Reliance on Technology

Overdependence on technology risks depersonalizing care. Automated messages may come off as cold or generic. Excessive screen time by clinicians reduces direct eye contact and listening quality. In some hospitals, workflow automation has inadvertently increased patient wait times due to system glitches or poor integration.

Such gaps risk eroding patient trust and satisfaction, with consequences for hospital reputation and retention. Healthcare leaders must address these risks proactively.

Practical Strategies to Balance Tech and Empathy:

1. Train Staff in Compassionate Communication. Technology can support, but empathy depends on people. Regular training programs should emphasize listening skills, respectful tone, and personalized explanations. Role-playing common scenarios boosts staff confidence in navigating sensitive conversations, whether virtual or face-to-face.

2. Use Technology to Free Up Time for Human Interaction. Automate administrative tasks—scheduling, billing, basic inquiries—so clinicians can allocate more time to meaningful patient engagement. For example, AI chatbots can handle FAQs before appointments, allowing doctors to focus on building rapport.

3. Design Workflows that Prioritize Patient Interaction. Hospitals should measure not just efficiency metrics but “human connection” indicators such as time spent on direct patient communication. Feedback systems should solicit patient perceptions of empathy, not only speed.

4. Employ Hybrid Models of Care. Combine digital and in-person care pathways based on patient needs and preferences. For routine follow-up or counseling, telehealth may suffice. For complex or emotional cases, prioritize personal consultation with supportive staff.

5. Incorporate Patient Voices in Tech Design. Involve patients in developing or selecting healthcare technologies to ensure user-friendliness and cultural appropriateness. Co-creating tech solutions fosters trust and avoids alienating users unfamiliar with digital tools.

Impact of Balanced Care on Patient Satisfaction and Brand Loyalty. Hospitals investing in empathetic technology integration see higher patient satisfaction scores and repeat visits. Brand loyalty improves when patients consistently experience respectful treatment enhanced—not replaced—by technology.

Leaders who champion the human-tech balance also inspire staff engagement, reducing burnout by focusing on meaningful patient relationships rather than administrative overload.

Conclusion

The future of healthcare depends on harmonizing innovative technology with genuine human care. Indian and global hospitals must lead with heart as well as hardware, ensuring that every digital advancement serves to deepen—not diminish—the healing connection.

#DigitalHealthcare #EmpathyInCare #HospitalLeadership #PatientExperience #HealthcareInnovation #IndiaHealthcare #hospitals #patients #patientcare #treatment #medicine #healthcare #healthcaretechnologm #aiinhealthcare #ai #HumanTouch #CompassionInCare #HealthcareLeadership #DigitalCompassion #HealthTechIndia #SmartHospitals #FutureOfHealthcare #MedicalInnovation #PatientCentricCare #HealthcareTransformation #DigitalEmpathy #TechWithHeart #HealthcareRevolution #ConnectedCare #HealthEquity #DigitalWellbeing #HealthcareExcellence #HealingWithEmpathy #CareBeyondTechnology #HealthSystemInnovation #HealthcareForAll #DigitalHumanism #HealthTechReform #PatientSafety #HealthcareResilience #TrustInCare #MedicalEthics #HealthcareFuture #DigitalCareIndia #HolisticHealthcare

Importance of building rapport with Patient Party Author Dr. Indu Arneja

Doctor-Patient Communication

 

Building quick rapport with the patient is one of the initial prerequisites of any professional relationship.  It lays the foundation stone of the therapeutic alliance.

Incidentally, studies suggest that we don’t make much effort to build rapport with the patients and their families as we believe that the patient is here for treatment and our primary responsibility is to only treat the patient.

This is true to an extent but let us remember that building rapport with them makes our task easy.  Building rapport creates much needed familiarity and comfort between the two parties.  It helps win patient’s trust and confidence.  It facilitates and fosters our treatment by aligning the patient with us.  Patients start listening and agreeing more with us.

The primary objective of building rapport is to earn patient’s cooperation and compliance for our treatment to work.  For e.g. many of the procedures like inserting I/V cannula, passing Ryle’s tube etc., are very painful and uncomfortable but if we have good rapport with the patient, it becomes easy to do the procedure as the patient would listen to you and cooperate.  Studies also suggest that building rapport improves treatment adherence.

Contrary to our misperception, building rapport does not require time, it requires INTENTION.  Simple gestures like making eye contact, greeting the patient, smiling when appropriate and speaking in a non-aggressive tone are some of the good ways to build rapport with the patient.  These small gestures go a long way in facilitating your job and earn patient’s cooperation.

Building rapport also reduces aggressive reactions and prevents violence in healthcare.  Studies suggest that the doctors and treating team are less likely to experience aggression when they are able to create familiarity and build rapport with the patient party.


Some simple and quick ways to build rapport with the patients-

1.    Making eye contact as soon as the patient enters
2.    Greeting the patient / responding to the patient’s greetings
3.    Attending to patient’s comfort by showing the place to sit
4.    Obtaining/confirming the patient’s name and the attendant
5.    Introducing self (if meeting for the first time)
6.    Starting with small talk before the big talk (e.g. who is this with you or where are you from)
7.    Demonstrate attention and interest in attending the patient by limiting interruptions and distractions.
8.    Accepting the legitimacy of a patient’s views and feelings, without being judgemental.
9.    Using empathy to communicate understanding and appreciating the patient’s feelings or predicament
10.   Expressing concern, understanding,  and willingness to help the patient
11.   Dealing sensitively with embarrassing and disturbing topics.
12.   Respecting patient’s privacy and confidentiality.

Building rapport may seem a waste of time and unnecessary to some of us but it is also a great safety tool for the rainy days.  Creating familiarity and building rapport goes a long way in controlling aggressive reactions and violence.  Most importantly, you win the confidence of the patient for a life-time.  It facilitates and fosters treatment by creating a good work environment for everyone. It does not require time, it requires intention.  My question to you is – Do you have it?

 

About: Dr. Indu Arneja is Founder-Director of Indian Institute of Healthcare Communication, A pioneer in the field of Healthcare Communication in India
She has conducted around 1500 Clinical Communication programs for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in more than 100 hospitals and medical colleges across the country.

She is an external assessor for NQAS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and NABH (IRCA), QCI, India.

She is a core group member of Advisory Board on Health and Mental Health for Nation Human Rights Commission.

She is also a visiting faculty to some of the very prestigious organization like IIM Ahmedabad, Delhi Judicial Academy, Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi University, IGNOU and PHFI.  She has over 30 years of experience in the field of health and training.

She is a regular invitee at National and International Conferences.  Recently, she was invited to attend Annual Summit on "Patient Experience and Empathy" by Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA, 2019.  She has been awarded scholarship to attend a prestigious communication course ‘ENRICH’ organized by Academy of Healthcare Communication at Pittsburgh, USA in 2019.

She regularly conducts webinars for national and international audiences. She has conducted multiple webinars for Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado, US.
She has a YouTube channel in her name Dr. Indu Arneja and has an on-going series under the titles - "Heart to Heart talk with Dr. Indu Arneja" and "Master Stroke with Dr. Indu Arneja".

#hospital #hospitals #accreditation #nabh #jci #treatment #medicine #medicationerros #patient #patientengagement #patientsafety #patientsrights #communication #patientcommunication  #effective #right #doctors #family #relatives #technology #medicalpractitioners #nursing #nursingcare #healthcareworkers
 

Communication in Healthcare is not just about niceties! By Dr. Indu Arneja

Friends,

Patient Communication

According to a report by Joint Commission International (JCI) (2013), communication failure is the lead cause of medical errors.  The Report reveals that 70-80% of errors in patient care are the result of communication failure.  It is because all interactions in patient care are based on communication.  It could be with the patient, their family members or with other healthcare professionals.  Communication has become a cornerstone of quality healthcare and patient satisfaction.  Still communication is not considered an essential skill in patient care.  

The biggest hurdle in accepting communication skills as an integral part and parcel of patient management is the thought process that considers communication as just simple niceties and basic courtesies in handling patients.  There is no doubt that we need to be courteous and well behaved with the patient and their family but that is not the end of it.  Communication in healthcare is a lot more than that.  Communication in healthcare is not just about niceties, it is about the serious communication that happens between the healthcare professionals and the patients, where the patient has a set of information about his health and disease that needs to be collected in a systematic manner and a set of information that the healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses and other caretakers that they need to share with the patient in a manner that the patient understands it and is able to apply it to recover from the illness and regain health.  

Patient care is teamwork.  

Sharing the Treatment Plan

A lot of information about the patient’s medical condition is shared amongst the team members managing the patient.  The team includes consultants, residents, nurses, technicians and other paramedics.  This exchange of information is also a part of the clinical communication.  A major chunk of the errors in patient care are the result of communication failure amongst the healthcare professionals.  Careful, accurate, systematic, and timely exchange of information is the basis of quality healthcare.  So, in nutshell, clinical communication is an exchange of health related information either with the patients and their family or with the fellow healthcare professionals and is not just about niceties.

Communication with a patient is not the regular communication between two healthy individuals.  This is the communication between a trained and qualified healthcare professional and a person (patient), who is not feeling well, who is in need of help, and who is seeking your attention, care and advice.  In such a situation, communication can not be a simple exchange of conversation.  It has to be a mindful effort from the healthcare professional to proactively connect with the patient, understand his/her health needs and meet them in the best possible manner.

There are a lot of communication opportunities with the patients and their families like collecting patient history, informing and explaining about the diagnosis, discussing about the options available to treat an illness and the pros and cons of each treatment modalities.  Each of this communication requires understanding of quick ways of building rapport, getting all important health related information in the shortest span of available time, winning patients’ trust to reach a mutually acceptable treatment plan and answering patient’s queries in a manner to create patient satisfaction.  There is a huge knowledge differential between the treating doctor and the patient.  The treating doctor is expected to acknowledge this gap and make sure to design the communication in a manner that is understandable to the patient.  This requires the knowledge and understanding of principles of communication and effective tools to communication.  Clinical communication is learning and practicing all about it.

Patients may have unrealistic expectations from the treating doctor or the treatment modality.  It is helpful to be aware of these expectations and how to help them accept realistic expectations.  All this needs understanding of the fact, how the human mind does not accept anything less than the best and how to fine tune it to match with the reality.  This is the negotiation and persuasion aspect of communication and is required in everyday handling of patients.

At multiple times the communication with the patient is very sensitive in nature and requires real experience in terms of handling challenging situations like asking personal sensitive information, taking sexual history, communicating with suicidal patients, communicating with rape and abuse victims, informing about treatment failure or medical error, handling aggressive patient, or breaking bad news like serious diagnosis, or announcing death.  Managing these communications require training and experience and these are part and parcel of healthcare communication.  Understanding, learning, practicing and demonstrating these skills need training.

In an average stay of 3 to 4 days, a patient’s information exchanges 50 to 60 hands.  A lot of errors in patient care are the result of internal communication failure.  When two or multiple healthcare professionals with different educational, professional, and experience backgrounds work together, there is a risk of miscommunication or missed communication.  Unless you have standardized ways of communicating to bring uniformity and minimize the impact of individual difference in communicating, lapses are bound to happen.  Most of these lapses in the care of patients, leading to fatal consequences are the result of communication failure amongst the healthcare professionals.  Clinical communication is all about learning and practicing communication protocols to prevent these errors, and ensure continuity of care, patients’ safety and quality health outcomes.

Communication needs of patients have changed drastically over the last couple of decades.   Today, they wish to know their disease and actively participate in choosing treatment options considering their suitability as well.  They don’t want to be a mute spectator of their treatment planning and management.   It is time that we respect patients’ autonomy and give it due importance without compromising the clinical goals.  Involving the patient in decision making, answering their queries, addressing their concerns and acknowledging their experiences is the basis of modern medicine practices.  Now the patient is an important team member in healthcare delivery.  Engaging them in planning and management of their health condition is a definite way to create patient satisfaction and would also enhance professional satisfaction of the care providers.  After all, the purpose of all our actions is creating happiness and satisfaction.

Considering these facts in the background, it is time we realize the importance of clinical communication in providing quality healthcare including continuity of care, patient safety and patient satisfaction and take these skills seriously!

Dr. Indu Arneja is Founder Director of Indian Institute of Healthcare Communication, A pioneer in the field of Healthcare Communication in India
She has conducted around 1500 Clinical Communication programs for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in more than 100 hospitals and medical colleges across the country.

She is an external assessor for NQAS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and NABH (IRCA), QCI, India.  Is a core group member of Advisory Board on Health and Mental Health for Nation Human Rights Commission.

She is also a visiting faculty to some of the very prestigious organization like IIM Ahmedabad, Delhi Judicial Academy, Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi University, IGNOU and PHFI.  She has over 30 years of experience in the field of health and training.

She is a regular invitee at National and International Conferences.  Recently, she was invited to attend Annual Summit on "Patient Experience and Empathy" by Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA, 2019.  She has been awarded scholarship to attend a prestigious communication course ‘ENRICH’ organized by Academy of Healthcare Communication at Pittsburgh, USA in 2019.

She regularly conducts webinars for national and international audiences. She has conducted multiple webinars for Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado, US.  She has a YouTube channel in her name Dr. Indu Arneja and has an on-going series under the titles - "Heart to Heart talk with Dr. Indu Arneja" and "Master Stroke with Dr. Indu Arneja".

arnejaindu@gmail.com
www.iihcglobal.com

#hospital #hospitals #treatment #medicine #patient #communication #effective #right #patientsrights #doctors #relatives #family #accreditation #technology nabh #jci #technology #patientcommunication  #patientengagement #medicalpractitioners #nursing #nursingcare

 

 

Communicating With The Family of the Patient by Dr. Indu Arneja

This article would help healthcare professionals understand the importance of communication to reduce and eliminate confusion and aggressive reactions in patient-care.

When the patient is unwell, it is the family who acts on behalf of the patient. Especially in the Indian context, you don’t treat the patient, you treat the family.  To the extent, most of the decisions about the patient are taken by the family of the patient.  On the other side, studies suggest, we look after the patient but refuse to attend to the family of the patient or address their concerns.  Communicating with the family of the patient is important as family being the primary caretaker of the patient needs to be not only engaged in patient care but also need to be explained and updated on a regular basis about the patient’s ailment, recovery and prognosis.

Some of the practitioners are really good at developing rapport with the family, while others find it cumbersome and unnecessary.  Developing rapport with the family is a helpful way to earn cooperation, compliance and adherence to the treatment protocol.  It also helps win their trust and avoid aggressive and violent reactions. Following are some of the helpful guidelines to communicate with the family of the patient:

1.    Identify the primary caretaker: It is helpful to identify the primary caretaker/s of the patient.  Through little effort and observation, you will be able to identify the primary caretaker/s of the patient.  It is better to communicate with the same set of members to avoid any communication gap.  One can also ask the patient and family whom they wish to identify for regular communication.  This will also save you of the hassle of communicating with multiple people.  As per the patient’s rights, it is better to ask the patient to ensure the confidentiality of the patient’s medical information before sharing any confidential information. There will be multiple visitors who might act as caretakers but we need to identify and know clearly whom to communicate. Knowing the name and relationship of the caretaker with the patient helps develop essential rapport.
 
2.    Engage the patient’s family: Family members are often essential in providing support and care for the patient. Identified family members should be involved in the patient care right from the beginning.  Since they are close to the patient they will know the finer details and have a set of information useful for making the diagnosis and planning the treatment.

Involving the patient’s family in decision making by explaining the patient's condition and discussing the options for treatment is helpful in obtaining their cooperation and adherence. The family feels empowered when they are involved in decision making.

A lot of care of the patient can be managed by the family with little training and supervision.  For e.g. Changing patient’s position, keeping an eye on the I/V fluid bottle, care of the back of an elderly bedridden patient, physical exercises, etc.  Engaging the family in these simple activities can help them learn these under the supervision of hospital staff and prepare them for home care.

3.    Empathize with the caretakers:  When a member of a family falls sick, it is the family who faces the brunt of the situation.  Looking after the patient while performing all other daily responsibilities can be quite exhausting for the family.  With no proper place to sit, relax, eat, or sleep in the hospital, family members are literally lying in the corridor or vacant places in the hospital.  Family members are usually under tremendous stress and expect us to be kind and nice to them.  It is important to be aware of their challenges and being more empathetic towards them.
 
4.    Address their concerns:  The family members would have a lot of concerns about the patient.  They may be concerned about the well-being and comfort of the patient. They may be apprehensive about the recovery and complications.  They may have financial concerns and may be worried about the expenditure.  It is essential to address their concerns and fears through regular communication.

They would also have a set of expectations like prompt care, quick recovery, best treatment, etc.  Addressing and fine-tuning these expectations is helpful in making these expectations realistic and unburdening the doctor and healthcare team.  It will also help avoid conflict and aggressive reactions to any unexpected outcomes.  Keeping them in the loop by regularly updating the family of the patient’s condition is helpful in letting them know the present situation and prepare for any eventuality.

5.    Prognosticate clearly:  It is very important to prognosticate clearly as the family should know the seriousness of the condition and the likely outcome of the treatment.  When we fail to prognosticate clearly, the family assumes the outcome of the treatment to be good and can over-react when the patient deteriorates.

While prognosticating it is important to be sensitive but straightforward as any attempt to give unrealistic hope can be counterproductive and create confusion.  Answering their questions with patience and honesty will further help them take a realistic decision and build trust on the treating team.  Their decision for second opinion, shifting the patient to another set up or going LAMA should not be viewed as an insult or offense.
 
6.    Seek formal permission from the patient before sharing any information with the attendants:  While sharing a patient’s information, it is best to exercise all precautions and seek formal permission from the patient before sharing the information with anyone other than the patient.  It is important to ask privately to the patient so that the patient can give an honest reply. 
 
Even while handling couples, it is best to treat them as two individuals, and information of the patient should not be shared with the partner, without seeking formal permission from the patient.  Don’t assume that the other partner would know everything or should know everything.  It is completely the patient’s choice whether to share the information with the partner or not.
 
In case of breaking bad news like complication or death, it is advisable to communicate with the family member, whom you are familiar with and have a rapport.  Breaking bad news to a new or unfamiliar member can lead to aggressive and violent reactions.

Communicating with the family of the patient is one of the primary responsibilities of the healthcare providers.  Effective communication with the family helps build rapport and win their trust essential for treatment compliance and better healthcare outcomes.  Involving them in decision making, addressing their concerns, and keeping them in the loop by regularly updating them are some of the essential communications with the family of the patient.

Dr. Indu Arneja is a visiting faculty to some of the very prestigious organization like IIM Ahmedabad, Delhi Judicial Academy, Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi University, IGNOU and PHFI.  She has over 30 years of experience in the field of health and training.

She is a regular invitee at National and International Conferences.  Recently, she was invited to attend Annual Summit on "Patient Experience and Empathy" by Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA, 2019.  She has been awarded scholarship to attend a prestigious communication course ‘ENRICH’ organized by Academy of Healthcare Communication at Pittsburgh, USA in 2019.

She regularly conducts webinars for national and international audiences. She has conducted multiple webinars for Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado, US.

She has a YouTube channel in her name Dr. Indu Arneja and has an on-going series under the titles - "Heart to Heart talk with Dr. Indu Arneja" and "Master Stroke with Dr. Indu Arneja".

#hospital #hospitals #treatment #medicine #patient #communication #effective #right #patientsrights #doctors #relatives #family #accreditation #technology nabh #jci #technology #patientcommunication  #patientengagement #medicalpractitioners #nursing #nursingcare

Analysis of COVID 19 impact on lives and its implications – Strategies to fast track back to prosperity through Smart Governance

By Dr. Sanjay Pattiwar

Ex. Add. Commissioner, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC),

National Level Monitor, Health Mission NHSRC, Government of India, New Delhi.

Consultant, Tata Trust Mumbai

and

By Dr. P. Sekhar,

Chairman of Global Smart Cities Panel,

Micro Tech Global Foundation

Introduction

We are facing a global health crisis unlike any in the 75-year history of the United Nations — one that is killing people, spreading human suffering, and upending people’s lives.  But this is much more than a health crisis. It is a human, economic and social crisis.  The Novel corona virus disease (COVID-19), which has been characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), is attacking societies at their core. Through these article strategies to fast track the impact of COVID 19 back to growth and development through the Doctrine of Secured Governance.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak was first diagnosed, it has spread to over 190 countries in the world.  The pandemic is having a noticeable impact on global economic growth. Estimates so far indicate the virus could trim global economic growth by as much as 2.0% per month if current conditions persist. Global trade could also fall by 13% to 32%, depending on the depth and extent of the global economic downturn.

Source: Unknown

After understanding the magnitude of the attack which is rightly called World War III all authorities first saving humans and are engaging in an on-going series of interventions in financial markets and national governments are announcing spending initiatives to stimulate their economies.  International organizations are also taking steps to provide loans and other financial assistance to countries in need.  These and other actions have been labelled “unprecedented,” a term that has been used frequently to describe the pandemic and the policy responses. 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that government spending and revenue measures to sustain economic activity adopted through mid-April 2020 amounted to US$3.3 trillion and that loans, equity injections and guarantees totalled an additional US$4.5 trillion.  As a result, the IMF estimates that the increase in borrowing by governments globally will rise from 3.7% of global gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 to 9.9% in 2020, as indicated in below image.

Among developed economies, the fiscal balance to GDP ratio is projected to rise from 3.0% in 2019 to 10.7% in 2020; the ratio for the United States is projected to rise from 5.8% to 15.7%.  For developing economies, the fiscal balance to GDP ratio is projected to rise from 4.8% to 9.1%.  According to the IMF, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom have each announced public sector support measures totalling more than 10% of their annual GDP.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Projected Government Fiscal Balances Relative to GDP (In % shares of Gross Domestic Product).

Source: Unknown

The government of India has already taken few measures and is planning to announce a stimulus package which would help India to tied over this crisis. Initially, the economic effects of the virus were expected to be short-term supply issues as factory output fell because workers were quarantined to reduce the spread of the virus through social interaction.  The drop in economic activity, initially in China, has had international repercussions as firms experienced delays in supplies of intermediate and finished goods through supply chains. 

Concerns are growing, however, that the virus-related supply shock is creating more prolonged and wide-ranging demand shocks as reduced activity by consumers and businesses lead to a lower rate of economic growth.  As demand shocks unfold, businesses experience reduced activity and profits and potentially escalating and binding credit and liquidity constraints.  

While manufacturing firms are experiencing supply chain shocks, reduced consumer activity through social distancing is affecting the services sector of the economy.  In this environment, manufacturing and service firms are hoarding cash, which affects market liquidity.  In response, central banks have lowered interest rates where possible and expanded lending facilities to provide liquidity to financial markets and to firms potentially facing insolvency.

COVID 19 Impacts in Rural India

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the entire nation to a halt.  Health officials and medical professionals are struggling with containing the disease, and testing and treating affected people.  The risk of spread in rural areas is heightened.  This is due to a number of factors, including lack of awareness, a limited supply of clean water, low levels of nutrition, and most importantly, ill-equipped and insufficient public health centres and district hospitals.  The informal industry in cities being badly affected has resulted in loss of rural income because a significant proportion of rural household incomes come from migration and daily-wage labourers. What’s more, massive layoffs and lack of relief measures are pushing migrants to return to their villages, which would increase the risk of the spread of the virus.

Necessary of Health Education

Health emergencies put health systems and their ability to deliver health care services under strain.  Currently, health care services in Asian Region are being confronted with increased demand generated by the COVID-19 outbreak.  To minimize the consequences of disruptions to the delivery of essential health care services, national health authorities and health service planners will need to ensure dedicated planning structures are in place, rural population risks are stratified, delivery settings/platforms and provider arrangements are modified or reconfigured, and financial and physical resources are made available accordingly.

As you know a new respiratory disease called COVID-19 is spreading across the world.  India has also reported cases from states and the government is trying to contain the spread of the disease.  As an important primary healthcare worker, play a major role in preventing its spread.  Training the entire health workforce is essential in recognizing and managing the symptoms of COVID-19 and repurposing the workforce for priority services – both for the COVID-19 response and to support essential health care services – will be critical areas that will need attention.  It is an effort to promote awareness on the pandemic and the need to take precautions for common people, which will prevent the disease spread in community at lower level, by decentralizing can minimise the burden on hospitals.

COVID 19 Impacts in Urban India

Mobility is an essential part of urban life.  People travel for various reasons, such as going to work, educational institutions, recreation and shopping.  Asian cities offer diverse means of commuting: walking, cycling, motorcycles, public and mass transport, micro-mobility, para-transit, private cars, public taxis and ride hailing systems.  On the other hand, we have seen improvement in air quality and reductions in CO2 emissions due to the decrease in transport activity. But these are short-term gains and air pollution and emissions are expected rise again once the situation is resolved.  

The novel corona virus (COVID-19) crisis in India may disproportionately hurt millions of urban poor living in slums across major cities. Over 65 million or 22% of India’s urban population lives in urban slums, which are characterized by acute poverty, over-crowding, unhealthy living conditions, and a weak urban public health setup.  A majority of the families living in slums are migrant workers who living under or near poverty may not have disposable cash to stockpile food or basic necessities for a more than 5 weeks lockdown, leaving them vulnerable to hunger, malnutrition, and increasing their vulnerability to the virus.  

A potential outmigration of the urban poor back to the villages may also exacerbate the extent of the outbreak in India.  The implications of a Covid-19 outbreak in the urban slums can be disastrous for the urban poor and the public health setup.  In the absence of affordable and quality public healthcare, families living in slums run the risk of deep impoverishment, disease, and death.  On the other hand, the public health system runs a high risk of getting overrun by patients.  The health systems are experiencing increasing challenges in absorbing the impact of the disease, flattening the curve of virus expansion is critical to reduce the pressure on hospitals.

The pandemic is likely to impact the country’s economy through the following four vectors

A. Supply disruptions:

• Dependence on China for imports of raw and intermediate materials;

• Higher input prices and reduced profitability, leading to decline in capacity building;

• Supply – side disruptions may be temporary as China revives production units.

Source: Unknown

B. Global & Domestic Demand:

• Consumer spending to take a hit due to movement restrictions and fear of falling sick;

• Reduced wealth effect due to falling share prices.

• Hospitality and aviation sectors are impacted the most at a short span of time;

• Low profitability and production disruptions impact business sentiments and investments;

• Loss of employment, especially in the informal sector and for contractual workers, reduces consumer spending;

• Demand in top few export destinations (China, the United States, and Europe) accounting for 40% of India’s export is severely hit.

Source: Unknown

C. Stress on banking and financial sectors and parameters

Banks:

• Exposure to stressed industries and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs);

• Rising consumer loan default because of high unemployment and household leverage;

• Stress on banks impact credit growth.

 

Capital Market and financial parameters

• The stock market has fallen 30% since pandemic started spreading in the west;

• A sharp depreciation of rupee against the dollar worsens trade deficit as exports contribution to GDP is low;

• Rising bond yields make borrowing more expensive, thereby reducing bank margins.

Source: Unknown

D. Falling Oil Prices

• Oil prices have fallen sharply. Brent crude oil fell from US$68.5 per barrel on 3rd January to US$28.2 per barrel on 20th March.

• Lower Oil prices could be a boon for India’s twin deficit (the fiscal and current account);

• Gives policymakers some headroom to act;

• The rupee depreciation may partially offset the gains. Rupee has depreciated from INR. 71.7 per US$ on 3 January to INR. 75 per US$ on 20th March.

 

How best to fight the Economic Impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic?

We know that nations need a healthy population to prosper. Stepping up investment in public healthcare is pivotal to sustaining India’s economic growth. Government has announced a series of measures including distribution of essential commodities, actual cash and incentives which should be through state and central PSUs to make then long term benefit to the beneficiaries.  These enterprises should be incentivised through policy measures of giving them operational benefits including extra FSI and preferences with commitments to long term growth.  

Many Global companies want to set up base in India and they should play a catalytic role for their successful expansion in India.  The healthcare access to all patients should be complemented by setting up manufacturing systems in the upcoming Smart cities which should be Hubs for development. Secured Governance strategy designed to minimise the gap of Healthcare infrastructure of the social sector and promote private participation in infrastructure development. The value and valuation strategy offers sophisticated funding mechanism and tailored to the economic growth and generate huge employment opportunity.

The Secured Governance strategy designed to help government through the private & foreign sector investment, and non-profit organisation when to open their economies, and the second outlines an approach for how to do so in this COVID – 19 pestilence period.  This is a novel strategy that consists in promoting infrastructure (Healthcare HUB) development that integrated with all key supporting sectors such as transport, power, telecom, banking, education, etc.

We all know when development takes place there is valuation in property.  Who benefits from this?  More often than not it is incidental and taken advantage of by land and property sharks.  Imagine a model where this valuation can be ploughed back into the project and also benefit the people around.  

First, the development cost of the Healthcare HUB is reduced, and can actually be at negligible cost to the government if carefully planned.  Next, the population sees it as benefitting them and so they participate more enthusiastically, helping with early completion of the project rather than being an impediment.  The strategy could provide a generic pathway to capture a part of the increased value by investment made by private stakeholders and helps repayment of loan for infrastructure (HUB) development.  This mechanism could help to bridge the gap of healthcare population ratio drastically and could provide effective control of COVID - 19 spread and public – health response in this critical time.

India needs to be becoming a major international HUB for the global healthcare industry. It is already home to the world’s largest medical tourism zone.  The HUBs would stimulate private investment in new developments from domestic and international players, Research & Development in medical field, advanced technology zone including global University for Healthcare sector and its focus on becoming a global medical tourism HUB.  

The HUB of a diverse healthcare economy that includes the life sciences and a digital health cluster that leverages the strong private investment/venture capital landscape, major academic medical centers, institutions of higher learning and a highly skilled and educated workforce to meet the shortage of healthcare workers in India. 

Around 700+ Mini medical HUBs with 50 bed facilities and more than 10,000 nano medical HUBs need to be developed in all the districts of India.  Rural people could get easy access in this healthcare mini and nano HUB. There could be a strong commitment from both the public and private sectors. Players from both sides are working together and investing to continue building an ecosystem that fuels innovation in the life sciences and digital health industries.  

The healthcare innovations and unprecedented public-private support could boost the healthcare economy in India and lead the sustainable economic growth in the post COVID - 19.  With this India could have quick regrouping of its growth strategies and cater to the Global expectations to War to victory through good leadership skills.

Article contributed by Dr. Sanjay Pattiwar

SARFARAZ LAKHANI

CALIBRE CREATORS

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