I worked in healthcare across the globe and continuum of care. I saw the supplier side of healthcare and understood, why we ‘push’ what we have, and not necessarily ideate and work on what the people actually need.

The biggest eye-opener was during my role as the Advisor to the Union Health Minister, Government of India from 2016-2018, where i met different the medical associations , pharmaceutical industry , MedTech associations and other provider groups, but i never ever met a single patient body. While i learned that quite a few disease-based bodies existed, and some did really good work while the others just used the patient’s name to get a seat on the table for themselves. So, i started International Patients’ Union . A body that represented real patients with a clear and powerful vision: to create a united voice for patients and ensure that their perspectives are not just heard but actively shape healthcare policy and practice.

Healthcare systems across the world are designed to treat diseases, but often overlook the experiences and needs of the very people they serve — the patients. The IPU was established to fill this critical gap and no surprise that Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director General of the World Health Organization sent his emissary to launch this on the 6th April 2023 at the India International Centre , New Delhi. I believe that the patients should speak themselves and we should not speak for them. They can articulate their experiences well, if given a chance.

Dr. Sunil Khetrapal , Director , Association of Healthcare Providers of India addressing the International Patients’ Union Conference

Given the work of Patients’ Union, the top policy-makers come to this conference and talk to the patients and the stakeholders, and have asked us for the reports based on the deliberations, on what patients are saying about healthcare and what are their expectations / recommendations . You can download the reports of the previous conferences by clicking reports section at https://internationalpatientsunion.org

Continuing our journey, we are now launching some path-breaking initiatives, that have been in the works for the past two years at the upcoming conference on 7th April. These initiatives will redefine how we delivery care and how hospitals and doctors treat patients.

IPU Fellowships : If you know someone who is passionate about reforms in healthcare and wishes to actively work for the transformation, tell them about the IPU Fellowship.

IPU Fellowship is designed for people who are still studying or in the early phase of their careers in healthcare - MHA , MPH , and clinicians still undergoing training , and working doctors. This is another step toward building a future where patient voices are central to healthcare decision-making. If someone is interested in doing the fellowship, please write to me. Under this fellowship , you will be working with real patients, tracking their healthcare journey, and you will create a short policy brief that will published by the Centre for Health, Innovation, Policy & Digital Health, Indian Institute of Management Raipur. The policy-papers may become a report that can help shape your friend and a colleague as a public-policy expert and a future policy-maker.

On 7th April, you will be able to interact live and directly with top policy-makers of the country and share your insights on what reforms are needed. Since the conference is a small gathering, it is advised that you register early as the seats are limited.

The Patient’s Union conference is a unique gathering for public policy and public health students to gain first hand feel of the current status of Indian Health and how we can shape the future of healthcare, keeping in mind the needs of the populations and patients.

Join us on 7th April and be a part of the change. Your voice matters — together, we can build a healthier future.

This is a once a year meeting, and don’t miss it this year. I look forward to meeting you and discussing the healthcare reforms.

Dr. Rajendra Pratap Gupta, PhD
Founder
International Patients' Union
E: office@patientsunion.org
Phone: +91-9911100665

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