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Health Matters is the quarterly newsletter of Max Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM) and curates the latest healthcare-related research and events at ISB.

In this edition of Health Matters, we bring you stories of how our alumni have been leading the fight against the pandemic through some of their pioneering startups and initiatives. We feature the transformational stories of six alumni doctors who we spoke to on Doctor's Day. We also cover the impact of research with stories on the development of a flexible cost-effective vaccination model, tech-driven impact in small and mid-sized hospitals, financial incentives-based disease management in urbanising areas, upcoming events, and more. Happy reading!

COVID-19 RESPONSE Cost-efficient COVID-19 testing in India We determined the unit cost of various COVID-19 testing technologies being used in India and estimated the average cost of RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests to be ₹643 and ₹578, respectively, in November 2020. Based on the cost drivers, we assess that further reduction in unit costs can be achieved through consolidated procurement and pooled testing. Further reduction can happen through efficient sample collection and lab network optimisation. The whitepaper was published as a book chapter in the Rockefeller Foundation’s recent report 'The Road Ahead for Smart COVID-19 Testing and Tracing in India'. An adaptive, cost-effectiveness model for COVID-19 vaccination in states MIHM in partnership with Center for Global Development Europe developed a flexible model to calculate the incremental unit costs and resources required for COVID-19 vaccination. We estimate the incremental cost per dose at ₹31-34 to vaccinate 18+ population. Approximately, 95% of the incremental cost is incurred due to HR. Our model estimates detailed resource requirement and can be used to estimate the same for a target vaccination rate, or to estimate the maximum vaccination rate that can be achieved for the given resources.

NCD MANAGEMENT Incentives for healthy dietary intake in peri-urban areas Fruits and vegetables are important components of a healthy diet. Less intake is linked to poor health and increased risk of non-communicable diseases. MIHM, with The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, has developed a financial incentives programme and is evaluating its feasibility in the peri-urban areas. We are mapping the supply systems, understanding the economic considerations for the suppliers and consumers, noting preferences for incentives, and will create a business model and a delivery mechanism for the incentive scheme.

HEALTHTECH Digital tech driving transformation in small and mid-sized hospitals We interviewed 21 owners and top-management administrators in small and medium sized NABH-accredited hospitals across seven cities to examine their state of healthtech capability. Our findings indicate that while 97% of small and medium-sized hospitals were healthtech savvy, with 73% having high sensing capability. 90% of these also scored high on transformation capability. Our survey instrument, a systematic healthtech capability assessment tool, can be used by small and medium-sized hospitals to measure their current state towards developing a technology strategy.

PUBLICATION SPOTLIGHT Investment in hypertension care can reduce overall healthcare expenditure The paper published in Global Heart shows that scaling up hypertension treatment coverage to 70% can reduce hypertension-related deaths by 5% and save India’s overall healthcare expenditure. Such a scale-up would require an annual investment of 4% of India’s current health budget. BRINGING INDUSTRY INNOVATION TO CLASSROOM Technology decision-making in a semi-urban ICU: An intensivist's dilemma A case describing the critical challenges afflicting the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital and how it overcame those by leveraging tele-ICU solutions, published and distributed through Harvard Business Publishing. OPINION PIECES How to make Covid tests more accessible, affordable  |  Indian Express Making the case for Lean Six Sigma in the healthcare sector  |  Business Times Augment testing capacity  |  The Hindu Business Line Phase 3 of our vaccination drive pushed for too much too soon  |  Mint Improving testing availability alone not enough; mitigating uptake barriers equally crucial  |  Forbes India Let’s aim for affordable and sustainable corona testing  |  Mint

Lean Six Sigma for healthcare Professor Vijay Sunder M, Assistant Professor (Practice), Operations Management, ISB in an interview with Sowmya Shashidhara, Associate Director, Max Institute of Healthcare Management, ISB discussed why is process improvement important in healthcare, the concepts of Lean Six Sigma, how it can be applied in healthcare/digital healthcare, and shares his top three tips for new-age technology-driven professionals. A PPP model for public healthcare In a Business & Policy Dialogue organised on Doctor’s Day, Professor Sarang Deo, Executive Director, MIHM & Professor, Operations Management, ISB discuss how the private sector can substantially support the government's tertiary care and primary healthcare efforts through a PPP model with Smt. Arti Ahuja, IAS, Additional Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.

#DOCTORSOFISB Watch the tribute video where we celebrate doctors from ISB and beyond. You can also read six inspiring stories about alumni doctors who have transformed their careers to management, entrepreneurship and more. Dr. Ramya Gujjula PGP Co 2014 Read Story > Dr. Mahesh Joshi PGPMAX Founding Class Read Story > Dr. Sujata Das AMPH Founding Class Read Story > Dr. Sayed Moulana AMPH Founding Class Read Story > Dr. Meinal Chaudhry AMPH Co 2019 Read Story > Dr. Avinash Nanivadekar AMPH Co 2020 Read Story >

ALUMNI BUZZ Leading the fight against COVID-19: Alumni initiatives Doctor on Wheels A collaborative initiative founded by AMPH Co 2020's Dr. Neelam Mohan that provides free consultations and medicines to Covid+ patients in rural Uttar Pradesh Oxygen4BLR A free-of-cost sharing model for oxygen concentrators by ISB alumni Pawan Kumar Dasaraju, PGP Co 2014 and Gurpreet Walia, PGP Co 2007 Rewards and Recognition AMPH Founding Class’s Dr. Sujata Das awarded the K R Dutta Award 2021 for her contribution to community eye banking. Read her story. CoWidows.in A 24*7 counselling service for women who lost their spouse during COVID-19 and are sole breadwinners of family by AMPBA Co 2019's Yudhvir Mor GetJab.in A website that lets you sign up for email alerts when vaccination slots open up in your districtby ISB alumni Shyam Sunder and Azhar Hussain

ALUMNI STARTUPS

Dr. Sateesh Kumar Thammiraju, AMPH Co 2020 cofounded EMedSavers for tele-ICU monitoring for COVID-19 patients at home Dr. Marur Sujeer Basha, AMPH Co 2020 founded Aryam Healthcare that offers traditional home healthcare services across Hyderabad Dr. Ramesh Maturi, AMPH Co 2020 cofounded Cancer Care India Consortium that works for cervical cancer screening in public health domain

IN THE NEWS COVID-19: Hyderabad had positive rate of 0.78% last week, 47% PCR tests  |  The Times of India The emergence of new variants can undo the progress made by vaccination: Professor Sarang Deo  |  Economic Times Is India testing enough in the second Covid wave?  |  The Quint COVID-19 will be with us for a long time, countries need billions of doses: Rockefeller Foundation's Rajiv Shah  |  CNBC TV-18 Coronavirus India update: Centre's slow response mechanism responsible for acute vaccine shortage?  |  India Ahead News Country to face vaccine shortages till July: ISB study  |  The Times of India

ABOUT US Max Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM) is an interdisciplinary research centre at the Indian School of Business (ISB) that provides deep insights on healthcare delivery and management to policymakers, public institutions and corporates, and enables the creation of better health systems through the integrated elements of Research, Education and Outreach. Its focus areas are (a) Managing healthcare delivery systems, (b) Financing and public policy, (c) Innovation and entrepreneurship, and (d) Patient-centricity. Write to us at maxinstitute@isb.edu.

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