Healthcare expo in Bangalore focuses on innovations

The fourth Healthex International expo-cum-conference got underway here Thursday with focus on innovations in healthcare, improving patient safety and reducing cost of treatment.

"Healthcare in India is going through a transition, with the private sector playing a major role in innovations to ensure safety of patients and lower cost of treatment," Healthex chairman and Narayana Health founder Devi Shetty said at the inaugural event.

With disease burden shifting to non-communicable arena from communicable types, Shetty said patient safety and reducing the cost of healthcare have become imperative for all the stakeholders.

Organised by the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) and the Bangalore International Exhibition Services (BIES) at the international convention centre on the city's outskirts, the three-day event has attracted 120 healthcare firms, 25 hospitals and 30 research and development (R&D) centres from India, China, Singapore and Italy.

"As the country's IT hub, Bangalore is also emerging as an innovation centre for healthcare, as evident from the participation of many city-based R&D organisations in public and private domains with their innovative products and solutions," state Medical Education Minister S.R. Patil said on the occasion.

The innovation pavilion at the expo is showcasing the latest healthcare products, equipment, unique procedure methods by research organisations, including the premier Indian Institute of Science, M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology and medical electronics division of Dayanand Sagar College.

Noted speakers and delegates will deliberate on cost competitiveness in hospitals and productive maintenance of equipment and facilities at the conference over the next two days.

"The event provides a platform to connect with funding agencies for promoting universal healthcare and explore affordable solutions to benefit patients," Shetty said.

As a conglomeration of healthcare providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, diagnostic centres, medical equipment and insurance, the AHPI works with other stakeholders like governments and society to realise universal health coverage.