In the recent decade, the Indian healthcare landscape has faced rapid transformation with significant technology development and advanced care treatment introduction, while the Covid-19 pandemic has further accelerated the trend. To enable the development initiatives, in the health sector the budget allocated was Rs. 89,155 crore in the 2023-24 union budget, where notably, there has been an increase of approximately 13 percent over the last allocated budget of Rs. 79,145 crores in the 2022-23 union budget.

Well, development by and for women is at the crux of India’s vision for inclusive growth in the healthcare space today. Also, there are many women leaders who can be acknowledged for their efficient effort in leading this growth and entrenching robust healthcare in India. One such efficient healthcare professional is Asha Thomas, Managing Director of Nethra Drishti Eye Hospital- a medical diagnostics center that offers eye care services which include diagnostic, investigative, laser & surgical treatment. Asha as a trendsetter of women leadership in healthcare is sketching a path for other women to follow and strongly contributing to the economic development of the country. Below is an excerpt of Asha Thomas’ exclusive interaction with CEO Insights magazine. Let’s glimpse through!

Take us through your early educational journey. Abreast is with your interest in the field of healthcare?

I have done my MBA in Human Resources, I started my hospital job in a corporate Eye Hospital. Over time, seeing how it functions I decided to team with a likeminded business partner who is a Doctor by profession, and now having a hospital that can be easily reached to lower middle class and the lower class crowd, we are contributing to strengthening the healthcare ecosystemin the country.

My total 20 years of experience majorly entails interacting with people, as counselor, as program development manager, and centre manager. I had extensive experience doing this, and all this helped me in understanding people concerning their problems and simultaneously handling business.

Introduce us to Nethra Drishti Eye Hospital. What are the healthcare institution’s key areas of specialization?

Started as an eye care service center in 2017, Netra Drishti Eye Hospital leverages advanced eye care services which includes diagnostic, investigative, laser & surgical treatment. Here we cater to all services related to eye. We have cataract surgeries done here at very affordable cost. Our staffs are well trained, and deploying the best advanced biomedical equipment, through our experienced and expert consultants, we make sure patient who has walked in to our hospital goes out happily with no complaints.

Throw some light on the most critical challenges you encounter as a leader in healthcare? How do you overcome the roadblocks that you face?

Challenges are part of any kind of leadership. When it comes to Healthcare, assuring patients that we are there for you, we will take care of you, itself is a challenge. We make sure we sit across discuss and understand their needs and cater accordingly, and building their confidence in us, and we stand by what we have committed. That’s how we encounter and face the challenges.

"My mantra for Achievement is, Understanding the patient Needs and giving them the Solution accordingly"

Tell us about the top three milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey? What has been your success mantra as a business leader?

Well, my entire career journey has levied me with enthralling experience. Seeing happy faces while patients leave the hospital is the biggest achievement according to me. Additionally, Patient referring another patient describing about our efficient healthcare services is a cherry on the cake. We have always ensured that patients receive the best treatment at Nethra Drishti- a team effort and achievement My mantra for achievement is, understanding the patient needs and giving them the solution accordingly.

Drawing from your experience, what advice/ message would you give to other aspiring women leader & entrepreneurs?

Overcoming gender-parity, healthcare is becoming increasingly interested in women leadership today, and is dedicated to making the ecosystem robust by introducing digital health infrastructure and patient’s care making it convenient and leveraging unified experiences. Leaders in the healthcare sector should therefore make a conscious effort to boost this respective of their position, size, business model, cultural fit competencies, experience, current partnerships and national restrictions. If women make her mind to achieve, nobody can stop her. In healthcare, women can do wonders because of their inbuilt feature called emotion that entails love and care for all.

Asha Thomas, Managing Director, Nethra Drishti Eye Hospital

Having 17+ years of accomplishing career, Asha is a recognized professional leading hospital management at Nethra Drishti Eye Hospital. Professionally she holds strong business development skills and, and is professionally expert at leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) & Public Administration.