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The roundtable discussion on "Improving Maternal and Newborn Health: Balancing Economics, Demand, and Quality for Cost-Effective Care," held at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, brought together a distinguished panel of experts and stakeholders from various sectors. The event aimed to address the pressing issues surrounding maternal and newborn healthcare, focusing on achieving a balance between cost-effectiveness, quality, and demand.
The session was led by Dr Vikram Datta, President of NQOCN and Director-Professor C Head of Neonatology at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, alongside Dr Sanjeev Singh, Medical Director of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.
Dr Narottam Puri, Chief Mentor of FICCI, highlighted the critical importance of collaboration among various stakeholders. Dr Puri emphasised that effective engagement with government bodies, NGOs, private healthcare providers, and international organisations such as WHO SEARO is essential for improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Speakers also highlighted programs like the Suraksha Yojana have successfully reduced maternal mortality rates through quality interventions and investment. Also, Dr YSR Aarogyasri Health Insurance Scheme, Andhra Pradesh, which originally aimed to cover 40% of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) population but now covers 83%, leading to resource strain.
Dr Girdhar Gyani, Director General at the Association of Healthcare Providers (India), followed with insights on effective strategies for policy implementation. He addressed a common misconception about universal health coverage (UHC), emphasising that it doesn't mean providing free healthcare to everyone. Instead, UHC involves offering health support to all, with free healthcare for those below the poverty line, while others may have to contribute financially.
Dr Pawan Kapoor, Vice Chairman at Rus Education and Vice Chancellor of Lincoln American University, addressed the challenges of balancing cost-effectiveness with quality in maternal and newborn healthcare. He discussed the often conflicting demands of providing high-quality care while managing financial constraints, and suggested strategies for achieving a sustainable balance.
Lt Gen Daljit Singh, Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services, offered a unique perspective on the delivery of maternal and newborn healthcare within the armed forces. He highlighted the distinctive challenges faced in this sector and the innovative strategies employed to overcome them. Lt Gen Singh's insights provided valuable context for understanding how different sectors can contribute to broader healthcare goals.
Dr Atul Mohan Kochhar, CEO of NABH, addressed the role of accreditation in enhancing the quality of maternal and newborn health services. He discussed the benefits of quality improvement programs and accreditation processes in ensuring that healthcare providers meet established standards and deliver consistent, high-quality care. “We should focus more on herd immunity to herd quality,” Dr Kochhar stated.
In the roundtable, Dr Vijay Agarwal, President CAHO, riased the issue of preventable medical errors leading to the deaths of thousands of children. He emphasised that being a free service should not be the measure of a hospital's quality.
The session concluded with Dr Rajesh Khanna, Medical Officer for Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health at WHO SEARO, and Dr Abha Mehndiratta, CEO of IHI & CGD, discussing plans for publishing a white paper summarising the session’s discussions. They outlined a strategy for disseminating the findings through conferences, workshops, and online platforms to reach a broader audience and drive further action.
Harbinder Narula, CEO of BW Healthcare World, emphasised recognising that media’s role is not just to deliver information, but to share useful and actionable content. He said that much of the health information online is unreliable because it's often provided by unqualified sources. Further, he highlighted the need for media to have a clear purpose, particularly in influencing opinion and driving action on important issues like maternal and newborn health.
The event concluded with an open discussion moderated by Dr Vikram Datta, allowing participants to share feedback and additional insights. Dr Narottam Puri wrapped up the session by summarising key takeaways and outlining the next steps, including the completion of the white paper and other actionable items.
The roundtable at Amrita Hospital successfully addressed critical issues in maternal and newborn health, offering actionable recommendations on collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The insights and strategies discussed are expected to contribute significantly to advancing cost-effective, high-quality care in this vital area of healthcare.
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