“Implementation of e-Health has been one of our major focus areas in recent past as we are aiming for a lot of vertical growth in coming years. We are currently in the process of implementing e-Health services for Republic of Mauritius and Surat Municipal Corporation,” says Gyanesh Pandey, Managing Director, HSCC (India) Ltd., in conversation with Souvik Goswami of Elets News Network (ENN).
Q How is HSCC (India) Ltd performing after merger with NBCC?
Let me clarify that HSCC (India) Ltd has not been merged with NBCC rather it has been made a subsidiary of NBCC. It is working as a separate company, thus maintaining its core area of operation i.e. health sector. As you are aware that the Strategic Disinvestment of similarly placed CPSU’s has been conceived to ensure the strategic guidance of the companies in identical field of operations to expand reach and scale up operations quicker, gain large number of new clients right away, and to provide a broader geographic footprint to operate. All these factors ultimately add up to achieve growth goals faster.
Despite initial coordination glitches related to finance & accounting standards and business model synergy, the transition has been smooth till now. HSCC has been able to overcome odds to maintain steady growth. We have been able to expand our reach by adding new clients. HSCC has achieved highest ever turnover of over Rs. 2000 cr. in the financial year 2018-19.
We are also looking towards our parent company NBCC to scale up health sector business, filling up of business gaps to achieve higher growth in years to come. To sum- up, our performance has been fairly steady till now despite harsh business environment, stiff competition and pressure on margins.
Q How can new age technology be leveraged in effective manner when it comes to building hospitals?
Technology adoption and modernisation is a major area where large number of public sector enterprises are lacking & thus losing their market position. Contrary to this, HSCC since its inception has always strived to introduce new age technologies for better patient- doctor- nurse & technician interface. Presently, by introduction of newer technologies, we are looking forward to integrate various healthcare delivery platforms such as primary healthcare facilities, general hospitals, tertiary hospitals, drug ware houses & medical teaching facilities with sole aim to enhance operational efficiencies, better patient care and plugging pilferages and wastages. Energy efficient green hospitals are in the core of our design philosophy.
We are designing and delivering paperless hospitals by introduction of latest IT tools. This transition has its own share of challenges as well as resistance. The main challenge in introduction of new age technologies is its acceptability, adoptability and invariable usage by stakeholders.
To mitigate this challenge, HSCC has developed detailed training modules to introduce various stakeholders to newer technologies. We at HSCC not only construct technologically advanced hospitals but also conduct training to range of hospital professionals in hospital IT, specialised hospital services like CSSD, fully Integrated modular OT’s, Medical Gases Manifold System, state of art kitchen & laundry equipments, pneumatic tube system, medical Equipments, modern electrical & HVAC systems, advanced fire alarm & fire fighting systems, hospital cleaning & hygiene etc.
Implementation of e-Health has been one of our major focus areas in recent past as we are aiming for a lot of vertical growth in coming years. We are currently in the process of implementing e-Health services for Republic of Mauritius and Surat Municipal Corporation.
Q Shed some light on major projects undertaken by HSCC in recent past?
In recent past, HSCC has completed a number of healthcare & research facilities in different parts of the country in time bound manner. These are National Cancer Institute (NCI) for AIIMS New Delhi at Jhajjar, Super Speciality & Emergency Blocks for Safdarjung Hospital (doubling the existing bed strength of the hospital), Kalpana Chawala Government Medical College at Karnal for the Haryana Government, State-of–the- art GMP compliant animal vaccine manufacturing facility at Pune for the Government of Maharashtra, National Institute of Animal Bio-Technology at Hyderabad, Super Speciality Hospitals (at 19 locations) spread all across country under PMSSY, Super Speciality Hospital for IIT Khargpur, Power Grid Vishram Sadan at AIIMS, New Delhi under CSR funding etc.
Lately we have also started construction of Chandrapur Government Medical College for Government of Maharashtra and Neuro-Science Centre for PGI Chandigarh. AIIMS Manglagiri, AIIMS Kalyani, AIIMS Nagpur & AIIMS Raebareli, are at the advanced stage of construction. Recently awarded AIIMS Rajkot is another prestigious project for which we are working in time bound manner.
Q What are the landmark projects executed by HSCC outside India?
Besides above, HSCC has also designed, constructed & delivered overseas project ‘New ENT Hospital’ for Republic of Mauritius. This 110-bedded paperless world class hospital has been completed in a very tight schedule of 15 months including supply and installation of ultra modern medical equipments. Mauritius is an important client and we have been entrusted responsibility to revamp whole healthcare infrastructure. Construction of ‘New Cancer Hospital’ is also at the advance stage of completion.
Q You are now the longest serving head of PSU. What is your vision for HSCC?
Indian health sector, which was of US$73.92 billion in 2011, is growing at a tremendous pace owing to its strengthening coverage, services, and increasing expenditure both by public and private players. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16 percent to US$280 billion by 2020, throwing open a host of opportunities for HSCC. The future plans essentially relate to effectively utilising company’s resources – inherent strengths and its core competencies – by adopting a multi- pronged approach including:
- Acquiring competencies in public health and management consultancy, and enhance delivery capacity in traditional areas of its business.
• Health facility management through PPP modelling.
• Training of Healthcare manpower particularly paramedics, nurses & doctors and introduction of newer technologies through collaborations.
• Leveraging core competencies in other infrastructure projects as well.
Increasing geographical spread and visibility across the country; and also explore new markets abroad such as Africa & far East. • Diversifying company operations into building engineering & maintenance services of the buildings designed & engineered by HSCC; development of information technology; undertaking turnkey consultancy for high-end & mid-end modular operation theatres, Medical Gas Manifold System and Oxygen Concentrator System, CSSD, laundry, kitchen from concept to commissioning;
In doing so, the HSCC expects to maintain a high-growth path, attained over the last 7-8 years, and becomes a Rs. 5000 cr company in next 2-3 years.
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