M S Ramaiah Memorial Hospital has entered a 10-year collaboration with Mount Sinai Hospitals in New York. The primary aim of this partnership is to bring a change in healthcare delivery in India by integrating advanced technologies and establishing Centres of Excellence in various specialities.
Dr M R Jayaram, Chairman of Gokula Education Foundation (GEF), and Shreenivasa Murthy (Chief Executive, Gokula Education Foundation (Medical) ), in an exclusive conversation with Harbinder Narula, CEO, BW Healthcare World, talk about the collaboration of M S Ramaiah Memorial Hospital with Mount Sinai Hospitals.
How did you decide to collaborate and bring systems from institutions like Mount Sinai to India, given your long-standing experience in healthcare delivery and education?
M R Shreenivasa Murthy: Over the past decade, our medical college has transformed significantly, thanks to our chairman's vision of keeping pace with global advancements. We now offer a full range of specialities, including super specialities and even an Ayurveda hospital, all on one campus. His focus has always been on bringing in the latest technologies and innovations. He'll elaborate on how he's achieved this on-site.
Dr M R Jayaram: I think it was the need of the hour. Because we work in academics, we are the institution. And our history goes back to 60 years. In the last 60 years, we have established numerous institutions in medicine and social sciences. We offer a wide range of branches catering to various needs. For example, in this campus itself, at least 6 out of 18 institutions are highly rated by NIRF in engineering, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy among others. That's because we have done our best as far as the excellence is concerned and we have to still improve. And I think we are now going forward to meet those standards and most of our institutions will come at high ranks.
Now when you come to healthcare, it is very highly complex and too vast. At present, we have two hospitals - we started the M S Ramaiah Teaching Hospital in 1984 and the Ramaiah Memorial Hospital in 2004. So even though we are almost 30 years old in healthcare and have all the specialities, super specialities, where do we stand in terms of our excellence?
I think we have just met our standards and have been able to keep it patient-first and economical. But beyond this, there is a saturation. Unless the technology comes in or you are at par with the latest technological advancements around the world.
So, we were in search of transformation, especially in health care. Fortunately, a serendipitous meeting with renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Samin Sharma in New York sparked a transformative collaboration. His familiarity with our institution and willingness to partner with us has paved the way for remarkable progress in just nine months.
Is it only the AI and the technology part that you're looking at bringing to India or is it more than that?
Murthy: It’s far more comprehensive. It is a 10-year collaboration for quality upgradation and building in Centres of Excellence for different specialties like cardiac sciences, neurosciences.
We have selected super specialties where clinical advice experts will be available to our doctors. While we will be treating the patients here, we have the benefit of obtaining consultancy or advice from the best experts in their system. Mount Sinai is ranked among the best hospitals in the United States. And they have 8 hospitals, large hospitals in New York City with something like 3300 bed capacity and about 7000 technicians working for them. It's not going to be just limited to use AI. It covers all aspects of patient care.
How can India enhance patient care and safety over the next decade despite its large population and doctor shortage?
Dr Jayaram: Improving healthcare requires a multifaceted approach, focusing on strengthening nursing care, addressing technician shortages, and providing continuous training. We've successfully implemented training programs before. In 1984, we partnered with a doctor from Chicago to establish a neonatal ICU and training centre, a rarity in India at that time. This initiative helped disseminate critical knowledge and skills throughout the country. We're eager to replicate this success and collaborate with experts to share knowledge and elevate the standard of healthcare in India.
Given the high cost of advanced medical treatments like bone marrow transplants in the US, how does your institution manage to offer similar quality care at a fraction of the cost in India?
Dr Jayaram: The cost of a bone marrow transplant here is about 10-12 lakhs, which is less than one-tenth of what it costs in the US. Despite the lower cost, we provide the same quality of care. This is possible because most people in India pay out of pocket, unlike in the US where insurers cover the costs. Our goal is to make advanced, high-quality care accessible to patients in India while ensuring that the business remains sustainable.
With technology rapidly evolving in healthcare, how do you balance the need to retain experienced doctors who are set in their processes and standards with the imperative to train the next generation in cutting-edge advancements like robotics and AI?
Dr Jayram: In academic settings like ours, knowledge flows freely. The continuous exchange between experienced faculty and residents fosters a culture of shared learning and readily embraces new technologies. This open environment contrasts with private hospitals, where individual reputations and financial incentives can sometimes hinder knowledge sharing and technology adoption.
Considering the rapid advancements in healthcare technology, how important is it to balance technology with affordability?
Dr Jayram: Technology is critical, and while it might not be at the level of corporate hospitals, it should be something more affordable for the Indian context. People are aware of the available technology and want the best treatment, but the question is at what cost. If institutions can provide advanced technology at a lower cost than corporate hospitals but still maintain quality, that is the best outcome for India. This is exactly what we are aiming for.
Sustainability is crucial for any institution, especially in healthcare where technology plays a vital role. We must prioritise efficiency and learn from best practices to make quality care accessible and affordable in India. This requires significant investment, potentially in cutting-edge technology and upgrading the infrastructure. While not everyone may be prepared for this level of commitment, it's essential for achieving long-term success and providing patients with the best possible care.
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