<div>There is a huge shortage of doctors and nurses across the globe. As per WHO estimates, the shortfall stands at around 7 million, says <strong>Mark Britnell</strong>, chairman and partner, Global Health Practice, at KPMG.</div><div> </div><div>In his book "In Search of the Perfect Health System", he analyses 25 countries' healthcare systems, including India's, starting from the demographic burden of aging populations to making healthcare affordable and universal without bankrupting the state. Britnell talked about these issues in an interview to BW Businessworld's <strong>Paramita Chatterjee.</strong></div><div> </div><div>Excerpts:</div><div> </div><div><strong>How would you define a perfect health system and what is India's status?</strong></div><div>There is nothing called a perfect healthcare system and it definitely does not reside in one country. However, having said that, there are fantastic examples of health and healthcare around the world which can offer inspiration and learning for countries across the world. Take for instance, the US. It has excellent R&D, while the UK is known for its universal healthcare and values. As far as India is concerned, there are some great hospitals here. Further, it has an advantage in terms of application of smart IT systems. This is a combination which in turn works out as a great advantage.</div><div> </div><div><strong>Going forward, how can India contribute to the world in terms of its health system?</strong></div><div>Currently, there is a mammoth shortfall of doctors and nurses across the world. In fact, if you take the WHO figure, the shortfall stands at around 7 million. India certainly can take advantage of this and try to fill in the gap thereby becoming the world's cradle for training doctors and nurses. In fact, it can partner with flagship medical institutions across the world and start training here. In my view, whichever country makes this move will stand to gain going forward.</div><div> </div><div><strong>In India, one of the biggest challenges is to make healthcare affordable to the masses. What are your views on it and how can that be achieved?</strong></div><div> </div><div>First of all, let me clarify that it cannot be done overnight. However, having said that, in the current situation where resources are anyways scarce, the government and the hospitals should come forward and work together instead of operating in silos. There should be a synergy in the way they operate. In that way, they will be able to make healthcare not only affordable but reachable too even in remote areas.</div><div> </div><div><strong>A host of day care centres have come up in recent times which are also attracting significant investor interest. Alongside, there are the multi-specialty hospitals. How do you think the two will co-exist?</strong></div><div>Well, day care centres are extremely popular in the West, In fact, I would say as much 70 per cent of all the planned procedures today can be done in day care centres. However, this is not to say multi-speciality healthcare chains will cease to exist. Currently, the opportunity in the Indian healthcare system is such that it is prompting a lot of foreign investors to enter the country. I personally know a lot of them from countries likes Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and the UK.</div>
