Aravind Eye Hospital - Speciality Business Model - World needs to learn

Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Center is doing is similar to the Madurai-based Aravind Eye Hospital.

Deceased management guru CK Prahalad had trumpeted how the Aravind Eye Hospital had created a new hospital business model. Aravind’s founders use a tiered pricing structure that charges wealthier patients more for fancy meals or air-conditioned rooms, letting the firm cross-subsidise free care for the poorest. Aravind rotates its staff at its five hospitals to deal with both paying and non-paying patients so there is no difference in quality.

Madurai an Emerging Health Care Destination - Cheap, Best and Caring

Madurai is fast emerging as the destination for quality healthcare. And, at affordable costs too. Patients from as far away as from West Bengal visit the hospitals. The frequency of visits of Indian–origin patients from abroad, from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai, is also on the rise.

Advantage Madurai:

According to hospital sources, the cost of treatment is less in Madurai. A heart surgery is done just for Rs.1.25 lakhs, whereas, at Chennai, the same is done for Rs.2.5 lakhs. While an Angiogram is performed for Rs.13,500, the same costs Rs.30,000 in Bengaluru . In addition, there is a human touch and personalized service by senior doctors throughout. Major portion of the cost, anywhere is spent by patients on purchase of medicine but there is a definite 30% to 40% operational cost advantage to the patients at Madurai, the sources vouch.

Connectivity:

The increase in the flow of patients is attributed to the improving connectivity to the city through road and rail. The moment the Airport here becomes an international airport, which is planned soon, Madurai could as well combine healthcare and tourism in a significant measure, says a report from Confederation of Indian Industry. 'We see a good potential. Only thing lacking is an international airport', according to Dr. Pugalagiri Vadamalayan, Managing Director, Vadamalayan Hospitals (VH).

Mix:

The chemistry of the city is undergoing a change and a composite culture is in the process of evolution as the numbers of doctors from outside the State, serving in the hospitals are on the rise. There are quite a few visiting consultant doctors from abroad such as Canada, adds Mrs.Hemalakshmi.S., Chief Operating Officer, VH.

Evolution:

Patients from southern districts, earlier used to visit Madurai for treatment at the Government Hospital. The scenario has changed with the emergence of corporate hospitals in the last two decades. Apart from the Aravind Eye Hospital, known worldwide for eye care and Apollo Hospitals from Chennai, there are two home grown corporate hospitals –VH and Devadas Multi-speciality Hospital (DMH). The Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC), a charitable institution is run in a corporate way. The Iswarya Women Care and Fertility Centre (IWCFC), in the nearby Palani, is gaining in attention.

Distinction:

These hospitals have earned distinct recognition. Evolving over time, they have attained and set standards in patient care, academic and research and community development.

Source: iStockAnalyst/HinduBusinessLine

Madurai-based eye facility Aravind Eye Hospital chosen for USD 1.5mn Hilton prize

Madurai City based Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) has been chosen for the US Dollars 1.5 million Conrad N Hilton Humanitarian Prize, given annually to an organization that makes extraordinary contributions towards alleviating human suffering.

Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai has been chosen from among 400 nominees for the prize for its "extraordinary work" in the field of eye care, according to a release by the eye care facility.

The international prize is awarded each year since 1996 by the Hilton Foundation established by the late hotel entrepreneur Conrad N Hilton, for the purpose of providing humanitarian aid to the poor.

Isn't it great about Aravind Eye Care Hospital!? I am really proud about being from Madurai!! Dr.V was a visionary person and he did it? When are we going to do a similar contribution to the society like Dr.V!? Five people like Dr.V is enough to improve/change Madurai or take it into a positive direction!

Hats off to you Dr.V!! Your seeds which were sowed in 1976 are growing into big trees today!!

Aurolab: Aravind Eye Care Unit: Madurai

AUROLAB, Madurai

In Madurai, a facility is being built to take on the best in the world in ophthalmology. The company: Aurolab, a unit of Aravind Eye Care (AEC), Madurai. The product: intra-ocular lenses, which are implanted in the eye to help cataract patients. And the price: very cheap. Compared to an average cost of Rs 5,000 for a lens from mncs, Aurolab's most expensive hydrophobic foldable lens costs a mere Rs 1,800. The cheapest non-foldable ones are priced at Rs 90-100—lenses distributed through the government network cost Rs 50.

Please read more in outlook