Health services are integral to both society and the economy, with healthcare acknowledged as a fundamental human right crucial for protecting the health and safety of populations. The existence of healthcare is inextricably linked to the presence of health workers. Nalam Hospital prides itself on offering top-tier treatments to its patients. The hospital's main strengths lie in its well-coordinated doctor-staff team and its cutting-edge healthcare facilities, which include a modular operation theatre with a C-arm, a birthing suite, and advanced laboratory and imaging services. Nalam guarantees that its services are accessible around-the-clock by offering care for accidents, crises, and pregnancies around-the-clock. With her vast knowledge, Subhashini Narayan, the wife of Dr. K. Satya Narayan MD (Anes) and one of the directors of Nalam Hospital, has been a beacon of guidance in the realm of medicine. Her contributions have significantly contributed to the hospital's success, and it continues to advance in delivering superior service to its patients.

In a candid interview, Subhashini provided us with a glimpse into her personal life and discussed the latest trends shaping the healthcare industry.

Can you walk us through your educational background and explain how your almamater, VIT, influenced you both personally and professionally?

I have a degree in computer science and professional engineering. Through internships, I had the good fortune to travel to nations like Singapore and other Europe countries, with decade years technology advancements, an interest in medicine sparked, leading me to take up my master’s degree focusing on integrating engineering with medical sciences. This is where I worked on projects combining medical facilities with engineering solutions. My journey back to India was when I joined VIT as a lecturer in 2006, and during my tenure, I pursued a PhD in machine learning and artificial intelligence. VIT provided me with extensive exposure, international connections, and access to top-notch infrastructure, which helped me build confidence and achieve my goals. The support and opportunities at VIT were instrumental in shaping my career and personal development.

Could you elaborate on your previous industry experience? In your view, what are the key areas of expertise you have developed as a leader over the years?

One of the greatest challenges a non-medical person faces in this domain is to communicate effectively with medical professionals especially when it is time to provide suggestions or analyse market and data. It just does not suffice in online research but takes a lot of convincing and complexities of their work. It was not a piece of cake for me too initially. It was hard for me to bridge the gap between management and clinical team. This is when I gave a significant amount of my time to understanding the needs and establishing a long-term roadmap. In due course, my suggestions were well taken and I was able to adapt to the current standards which in turn led me to gain the trust of medical professionals. This collaborative approach led to improvements in safety standards and aligned our practices with industry trends. As a result, both the medical team and I learned to appreciate and integrate advancements in technology and industry standards.

Can you introduce us to Nalam Hospital and describe the key responsibilities you hold as its Director?

Nalam Hospital is a result of the idea of some like-minded colleagues. My husband Dr Sathya Narayan MD (Aneas), along with his colleagues founded Nalam Hospital to share and apply their medical knowledge. Our partners are Dr. Narmatha and Dr. Ashok, with the collaboration of Dr. Muthu Durai, Udaya Darshini, Dr. Suresh, and Dr. Vanitha. Our goal was to provide affordable and efficient healthcare. Nalam Hospital was inaugurated on World Health Day, April 7, 2008, with a 50-bed setup and a focus on excellent clinical care. Over time, we expanded to a 150-bed facility, offering 24/7 services and housing over 50 specialist doctors. Orthopedics is a prominent specialty, supported by a highly experienced team. Our dedicated medical, paramedical, and support staff ensure the best care for our patients, which has been crucial to our success.

What do you consider some of the most critical challenges you face as a business leader in today's world? What steps do you take to overcome these obstacles?

Our medical team primarily consists of highly qualified professionals with postgraduate or master's degrees. Hospital management is responsible for every aspect of hospital operations, including clinical services, human resources, finance, and supply chain management. It is about assuring that all of these components are integrated to provide the best possible treatment to patients while keeping financially stable and in line with healthcare guidelines. This shift to digital has significantly improved our efficiency, but overcoming the initial resistance was a major hurdle.

Subhashini Narayan, Director, Nalam Hospital

Subhashini Narayan, a consummate veteran in her field, possesses profound expertise and has imparted invaluable perspectives on both her professional odyssey and the continually evolving panorama of medical advancements and patient care methodologies.