Seminar on "Healthcare—Its Reach, Cost and Quality” December 16, 2011, Kolkata.

American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), Eastern Chapter, organized a seminar on "Healthcare—Its Reach, Cost and Quality” on Friday, December 16, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency, Kolkata. The seminar, supported by major companies, focused on Urban and Rural Healthcare, Emergency Care and the roles of Insurance, Innovation and Technology in promoting general healthcare systems.

Adequate health care at an affordable cost has been a major concern for the Government of India, as well as to the private sectors that play a major role in this field. The issue of adequacy covers both the penetration of health care and its quality, in particular when nearly three quarters of the population still live in the rural areas. India’s healthcare sector is witnessing a rise in both infectious and chronic degenerative diseases. Given that American Chamber of Commerce, a representative of American companies with business interest in India, would also like to be 'thought leader' on social issues which affect all the stake holders and the society at large..

In his welcome address, Mr. Ambarish Dasgupta, and Chairman, AmCham Eastern Chapter and Director, Price Waterhouse Coopers stated a need for major healthcare reform, in the country and a joint effort between the government and industry to ensure better healthcare.

The inaugural session, inaugurated by Shri Bratya Basu Hon’ble Minister of State for Higher Education, also included: U.S. Consul General, Kolkata, Mr. Dean Thompson, Dr. Bhaskaran, Chairman, Shankar Netralaya, who delivered the theme address and Dr. Purnendu Chatterjee, Founder & Chairman, The Chatterjee Group (TCG), who delivered the keynote address and a special address by Dr. S.K.Bandopadhyay, Director of Medical Education, West Bengal. Following the inaugural session, the other sessions focused on Rural and Urban Healthcare, Emergency Care, Role of Insurance and Role of Innovation and Technology in facilitating healthcare standards/systems in India. The seminar brought together a plethora of distinguished speakers : Dr. M Chandy (Director, Tata Medical Center, Kolkata), Mr. Anish Bafna (Managing Director, Baxter India), Dr. Alok Roy (Chairman, Medica Synergie), Mr. Sivaji Ghosh IPS, (Special Commissioner of Police, Kolkata), Dr. Pradip Mitra (Director, SSKM Hospital, Kolkata), Dr. Arnab Gupta (Director, Thakurpukur Cancer Hospital), Mr. Bhargav Dasgupta (Managing Director, ICICI Lombard), Mr. Dean Pollard (Chief Operating Officer, Max Bupa Insurance), Mr. Debasis Basu (President and Chief Executive, MCube Technologies), Mr. Sanjay Banerjee, Managing Director Zimmer India Pvt. Ltd., among others.