GNRC Hospitals get USD 1.2M SAMRIDH boost

USAID-supported SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility is supporting GNRC Hospitals of Assam with US $1.2 million to help it prepare not only to tackle the current COVID-19 pandemic but also for future health emergencies.

In 2020, United States Agency for International Development, IPE Global, and stakeholders from the Indian government, academia, and the private sector developed the innovative SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility to combine public and philanthropic funds with commercial capital to create and rapidly scale market-based health solutions.

Through this partnership, GNRC has strengthened increasing the reach of quality healthcare services offered under Government of India’s flagship health assurance program Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY and Atal Amrit Abhiyan scheme.

The GNRC Swasthya Mitra Program, in collaboration with SAMRIDH, is ensuring beneficiaries have access to at least 35-40% of hospital beds when needed; spreading awareness amongst the rural population on the importance of using face masks, maintaining social distancing, practicing hand hygiene, understanding the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination; and educating communities on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

To date, GNRC has dedicated 320 beds to help COVID-19 patients, including 150 ICU beds across its four units in Dispur, Six Mile and North Guwahati. This support also enabled GNRC to convert its Good Health unit in Guwahati to a fully functional COVID-19 hospital, fully equipped with ventilators and necessary oxygen support, along with other technical equipment for proper management of COVID-19 .

SAMRIDH leverages philanthropic capital, and public sector resources to offset barriers for commercial investments in small and medium health enterprises to invest in and scale healthcare solutions.

Speaking about this collaboration, Mr. Himanshu Sikka, Project Director, SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility said, “We are pleased to support GNRC in expanding its community engagement program to improve health and well-being of vulnerable populations. Through this collaboration, we aim to catalyse partnerships for greater investments towards GNRC’s initiatives focused on improving awareness and access of health services. We envision our joint efforts to play a significant role in bolstering Government of India’s large scale healthcare programs including Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY and Atal Amrit Abhiyan scheme.”

Expressing his acknowledgement on receiving the support from SAMRIDH, Dr. Nomal Chandra Borah, Founder, GNRC group of Hospitals said, “The GNRC Family is enthralled and deeply grateful and whole heartedly acknowledges the support of USAID and this SAMRIDH initiative to assist us in our collaborative efforts.

“We plan to fast-track our existing Swasthya Mitra operations to 10 districts of lower and middle Assam covering 4000 villages and 6 million people with the help of SAMRIDH’s support,” he said.

Setuka Partners, a boutique advisory firm that supports emerging market enterprises to raise capital from impact investors, is advising GNRC to put together this blended finance package. EastMojo