Despite the slump seen in most sectors, Bangalore’s health industry seems unaffected by the recession. On the contrary, there has been a steady increase in business.

Private hospitals are also coming forward with opportunities for health sector professionals. Narayana Hrudayalaya has recruited 29 doctors, 23 paramedical staff, and 34 administrative staff since July, 2008.

“The health care industry is relatively more resistant to the ups and downs of the economy. The effect of a global meltdown may be evident in hospitals that offer five-star health care facilities or in luxurious maternity hospitals. But a hospital like ours, which deals with the working class is not affected,” says Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, chairman, Narayana Hrudayalaya. “Corporate hospitals in Delhi and Mumbai have seen a decline in single-room occupancy,” he adds.

Hospitals remain gung-ho about expansion plans as well. “Recently, we launched another hospital at Nasik. In this phase of recession, the health sector continues to remain healthy and shows growth mainly because health care is fundamental to people’s lives,” says Vishal Bali, CEO, Wockhardt Hospitals. In the last six months, the chain of hospitals has recruited 350 to 400 people including doctors, paramedical staff and other hospital staffers, across India

Government hospitals are in the process of hiring more staff, finally bringing the staff shortage to an end. “We have appointed 815 medical officers in government hospitals across the state. We are also in the process of appointing 5,245 paramedical staff,” says Madan Gopal, health secretary.

While earlier, doctors recruited by the health department were appointed on a contract basis and posted as medical officers after three years, this year’s batch of 815 doctors has been appointed as medical officers directly by the department. This was decided in November, 2008, between the government and the Karnataka Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA), after the association members had gone on a strike.

The department is also planning to have one trained health worker per 1,000 population, and is in the process of recruiting them. These health workers, known as Ashas, will be assisting the nurses and paramedical staff with various immunisation programmes. Over 12,000 health workers have already been appointed in this regard.

Illnesses come uninvited, irrespective of the economic condition, and have largely worked to the advantage of the health sector.

Experts, however, hold the view that a prolonged impact of the meltdown is bound to rub off adversely on the global health sector.

“Though there’s no direct connection between the

recession and the health care sector, the situation does

affect people. Those working in MNCs get health insurance from the company. If their jobs get affected, it will in turn, influence the health care industry. Unlike in

the West, there are only around 20 to 25 per cent people in India who have health insurance,” says Dr Anil Kumar, secretary, Indian Medical Association.

Soumita Majumdar/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication