The World Health Day brings to focus the raising inequities in health care within the country. India accounts for a substantial part of the global burden of disease, and a majority of the affected people come from remote communities and economically weaker sections. To ensure health care to the needy, Piramal Swasthya draws on its core strengths and values to address challenges, respond to crises, and support long-term interventions for sustained improvement in health systems.
Building blocks to delivering health care to the people
A health system is a set of inter-connected parts: Services, staff, technology, information, partnership, and governance, all of which help in determining the success of any initiative. These inter-connected parts are the building blocks for designing a strategic framework that addresses challenges in delivering health care services. The linkages between the different parts come under strain when significant attention is given to one part at the expense of another. Piramal Swasthya places equal emphasis on each of the health system pillars to ensure accessible, affordable, and available health care to all.
Service delivery: Piramal Swasthya provides effective, safe, and quality care to the most vulnerable sections of the society under both community- and physician-driven delivery models. We have implemented large-scale programs and innovative initiatives to improve services for the poor and other disadvantaged groups. By working closely with the community and the government—at the state and national levels—we have brought about a behavioural change on a range of issues. This has been possible only because of our service delivery models that are ably supported by innovation and technology.
Data-driven decision-making: Information, intelligence and research on health and health systems form an integral part of the leadership and governance at Piramal Swasthya. Technology-driven integrated platforms like AMRIT (Accessible Medical Records via Integrated Technology) show the way forward for cost-effective technologies to manage complex health data. Our health information system ensures that the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data takes place in such a way that appropriate decisions can be taken at different levels. With an effective surveillance mechanism, it is possible to effectively support national information systems in reporting, tracking performance, synthesis and analysis of regional and local data. By measuring progress on multiple fronts, we are able to allocate resources judiciously and improve accountability.
Trained workforce: Enhancing staff competencies and capacity is Piramal Swasthya’s solution for a more responsive approach to the numerous challenges affecting the health care of the people. By developing a professional network of staff working on health systems, we foster informal and formal interactions to address opportunities and challenges.
Partnership: Managing services, resources, and partners is crucial to the success of any initiative in health care. Partnerships play an important role in building advocacy and facilitating support systems. Piramal Swasthya’s partnerships are built on bringing together the competencies of corporates and community-based organizations. Such partnerships cater to both the transitional needs of participants as well as longer-term support for success in the community. Our projects with our corporate partners are committed towards building a transformational ecosystem that lasts long.
Governance and leadership: Managing the health system requires both leadership and technical action. Although there is no blueprint for effective health governance, Piramal Swasthya leads in formulating strategies, directions, and priorities across the health care ecosystem. By collaborating and building capacities with the civil society, government, and partners, we influence action on key determinants of health and access to health services. This shows us the way to scale operations and ensure a fit between strategy and structure.