Ankura Hospital - A Beacon of Excellence in Paediatric & Gynaecology

Ankura Hospital for Paediatric & Gynaecology in Hyderabad is committed to excellence, innovation, and accessibility, shaping the future of paediatric and gynaecological care with advanced technology and patient-centric approaches.

1. Tell us briefly about your professional journey.

As a paediatrician specialising in neonatology from Sydney, Australia, my journey in healthcare has been driven by a deep-seated commitment to improving neonatal and pediatric healthcare in India. Returning to my homeland, I was determined to address the gaps in medical services, particularly for women and children.

Recognizing the critical need for accessible, high-quality healthcare, I founded Ankura Hospital for Women and Children with the belief that specialised and advanced medical care should reach more women and children. Though we started as a neighbourhood hospital, today Ankura has grown into a leading healthcare centre, renowned for its excellence in serving women and children. We’ve expanded across four states, with 15 centres and counting. But for me, this is just the beginning. I envision a future where every woman and child, regardless of their location, can access top-notch medical care right in their neighbourhood.

2. What made you set up Ankura Hospital? Any specific reason or event that led you to set up Ankura?
I’ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable advancements in healthcare—super specializations, cutting-edge technology, and increasingly sensitive diagnostic tests have revolutionized medical treatment. What was once considered incurable is now within our grasp, and conditions, once deemed fatal, can now be managed with promising prognoses.

I firmly believe that it’s our responsibility to ensure these advancements reach every corner of our nation, especially our women and children. This belief was the driving force behind the inception of Ankura Hospital. Regardless of their location or socioeconomic status, every woman and child deserves access to the highest quality of care available.

3. With so much competition in the same space (Women and Childcare) how do you differentiate your services vis a vis other players?

In a competitive landscape like women and childcare services, setting oneself apart requires a unique approach that prioritizes quality, innovation, and a deep understanding of the needs of our patients and their families. At Ankura Hospital, we differentiate our services in several key ways:

Comprehensive Care: We provide holistic care that addresses not only physical health but also the emotional and psychological well-being of women and children. Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in various specialties, ensuring that all aspects of our patient’s health are covered under one roof.

Patient-Centred Approach: We prioritize the needs and preferences of our patients and their families, ensuring that they feel heard, respected, and involved in their care decisions. Our personalized approach to healthcare fosters trust and long-term relationships with our patients.

Advanced Technology and Expertise: We continuously invest in the latest medical technologies and ensure that our staff receives ongoing training to stay abreast of advancements in healthcare.

Community Engagement: We actively engage with the communities we serve, organizing health camps, awareness programs, and outreach initiatives to promote preventive healthcare and education. By building strong ties with our communities, we establish ourselves as trusted partners in their health journey.

Focus on Accessibility: We strive to make high-quality healthcare accessible to all, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location. Through initiatives like telemedicine and our presence in lower-tier cities, we extend our reach to underserved areas, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Strong Team Stability: Our low attrition rate among doctors and staff fosters a committed team, ensuring consistency and quality care. As a certified Great Place to Work organization, we prioritize employee satisfaction, creating a positive workplace culture that enhances patient experience and sets us apart.

4. What are the core competencies of Ankura both in the Paediatric and Gynaecology divisions?

Ankura Hospital for Women and Children provides holistic and in toto healthcare services for women and children. We are proud to have all pediatric and gynaecology super specialities under a single roof. Some of our services in the paediatric division include advanced neonatal intensive care, pediatric surgery, child development, and behavioural health, and all other pediatric super specialities including pediatric neurology, paediatric rheumatology, paediatric gastroenterology, paediatric haematology, paediatric orthopaedics, etc.

In the Gynaecology division too, we are equipped to provide the highest level of care in all spheres. Some of our services include obstetric care, gynaecological surgeries, reproductive health services, gynaecological oncology, gynaecological cosmetology, laparoscopic surgeries and, vNOTES. We have also established specialised 9M fertility centres that focus on providing predictable and advanced cures for infertility.
Overall, Ankura Hospital excels in delivering comprehensive care for both children and women, utilizing advanced techniques and a patient-centred approach to ensure optimal outcomes.

5. You specialize in handling critical and high-risk patients. How do you equip your team to handle these cases? Any notable case studies.

At Ankura Hospital, we recognize the importance of specialized training and advanced equipment to handle critical and high-risk patients effectively.

Specialized Training: Our medical staff undergo rigorous training in their respective specialties, including pediatric and neonatal intensive care, obstetrics, gynaecological oncology, and surgical procedures. Continuous education and skill development programs ensure that our team stays abreast of the latest advancements in their fields.

Multidisciplinary Approach: We adopt a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, with teams comprising specialists from various disciplines working together to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. This collaborative approach ensures that critical and high-risk patients receive personalized care that addresses all aspects of their condition.

Advanced Technology: We invest in state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology to support our team in diagnosing and treating complex cases effectively. From advanced imaging techniques to minimally invasive surgical tools, our cutting-edge technology enables us to deliver precise, targeted care with minimal risk to patients.

Protocols and Guidelines: We adhere to strict protocols and clinical guidelines established by international medical associations and regulatory bodies to ensure the highest standards of patient safety and quality of care. These protocols help streamline our clinical processes and ensure consistency in our approach to managing critical and high-risk cases.

With our expert care and multidisciplinary approach, we recently witnessed a miraculous recovery of a six-year-old battling dengue-multiorgan dysfunction syndrome and perforation peritonitis. Through immediate and intensive care and a series of crucial medical interventions, the little girl triumphed over all her medical complications and was discharged successfully.

6. What are your plans for expansion? How do you plan to fund this growth?

Ankura Hospital for Women and Children is strategically planning a rapid expansion over the next 30 months, with a keen focus on enhancing healthcare accessibility for specialised care. We recently stepped into Orrisa, by opening our 15th world-class centre in Bhubaneswar and we now look forward to establishing ourselves in Bengaluru, Nagpur, Vishakhapatnam, and more cities in the coming years.

We have devised a comprehensive fundraising strategy for its expansion, primarily focusing on exploring opportunities in debt financing and private equity. By leveraging these avenues, we aim to secure the necessary funds to support the expansion of services and infrastructure. This approach ensures financial sustainability, allowing Ankura to enhance its healthcare offerings and reach a wider demographic.

7. What is the state of women and child health care in India as compared to the global standards? How can the gap be bridged? What is being done by Ankura Hospital in this direction?

The state of women and child healthcare in India, while improving, still lags behind global standards in several areas. Despite significant progress in recent years, challenges such as inadequate access to quality healthcare services, high maternal and infant mortality rates, malnutrition, and disparities in healthcare delivery persist. By enhancing access to healthcare, promoting preventive care, conducting patient education programs, and providing high-quality and advanced healthcare services Ankura has been striving to bridge this gap.

8. What is your opinion about AI being accepted in all walks of life gradually which also includes the medical sector? How will it disrupt Women and Child care space? Would you adapt to this technology?

The gradual integration of artificial intelligence into various sectors, including healthcare, offers transformative potential for women and child care. AI technologies can enhance diagnostic accuracy, personalize treatment plans, and streamline administrative tasks, leading to improved patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

In the women and childcare space, AI-powered algorithms can aid in the early detection of conditions through imaging analysis and predictive analytics. This enables proactive intervention and risk mitigation for high-risk pregnancies and pediatric conditions. Additionally, AI can optimize administrative processes, such as appointment scheduling and medical record management, freeing up healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care.

At Ankura Hospital, we recognize the value of AI in advancing healthcare delivery. While prioritizing patient safety and ethical considerations, we are committed to integrating AI technologies into our practice to complement the expertise of our healthcare professionals and enhance the quality and accessibility of care for women and children. By embracing AI responsibly, we can harness its potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and improve outcomes for patients.