Adani-run hospital, a lifeline in Kutch
New Delhi: Nearly a decade before the National Institution for Transforming India or the NITI Aayog, envisaged private partnership in rural healthcare, a PPP-run hospital in Gujarat's Kutch district – India's largest - has transformed hundreds of lives. The Adani Foundation-run Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences (GAIMS) in Bhuj – was ostensibly India's maiden successfully operating PPP model in the healthcare sector.
From earthquake rubble to a state-of-the-art hospital that caters to more than 1000 patients a day, it's a historic journey of community empowerment and nation building. Over the years the successful model has contributed in creating confidence which led to roll out plans of six brownfield self-financed medical colleges in Tapi, Dahod, Panchmahals, Banaskantha, Bharuch and Amreli districts by upgrading the government hospitals through PPP.
Its healthy ripple effects can now be felt at the national level. Last year, the NITI Aayog also accepted the merits of the model and invited private players to partner with government hospitals at the district level.
The government approached many corporates such as Narayana Hrudalaya and Manipal Education, to adopt the hospital on PPP basis. But none of the proposals worked owing to feasibility challenges.
Since 2009, when the Adani Group entered into a PPP partnership the group invested a Capex of around Rs. 100 crore in ramping up infrastructure among other things. A decade since then the cumulative operating deficit stands at 25 crores.
"Adani GK General Hospital caters specifically to the healthcare needs of the poor and marginalized sections of the society. People from special and deserving categories receive further specialized and free IPD services. In addition, the hospital also connects people with various government schemes such as Ayushman Yojana, MA Yojana, students' healthcare programme etc." said Vasant Gadhavi, Director Administration – GAIMS.
