CEO Insights Magazine

Women’s and child health requires specialized care and attention. Ensuring the well-being of mothers and their children is of utmost importance for a healthy and thriving society. However, access to high-quality healthcare services for women and children has been limited in many regions. This is where Dr. Krishna Prasad Vunnam, the Founder & Managing Director of Ankura Hospitals, enters the picture.

With a deep understanding of the challenges and gaps in women and child healthcare, Dr. Vunnam has taken it upon himself to revolutionize the field. His journey began with his academic achievements, including a pediatrics MD and a neonatology fellowship at the prestigious Monash Medical Center in Melbourne, Australia. These experiences equipped him with specialized knowledge and expertise in providing comprehensive care for newborns and infants.

Dr. Vunnam's passion for improving child care in India was further fuelled during his tenure as a Consultant Neonatologist at a renowned Children's Hospital in Hyderabad. Witnessing the limitations and deficiencies in the existing healthcare infrastructure, he recognized the need for a dedicated institution that could provide high-end, standardized care for children.

This realization led to the birth of Ankura Hospitals in 2012. He, along with a team of like-minded pediatricians, embarked on a mission to create a healthcare facility that would cater specifically to the needs of women and children. The groupbecame a beacon of hope, offering state-of-the-art neonatal care, pediatric intensive care, and a wide range of super-specialty services under one roof.

Driven by his vision and dedication, Dr. Vunnam spearheaded the expansion of Ankura Hospitals, establishing multiple branches across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. His innovative approach to healthcare management, including the appointment of medical directors and the delegation of responsibilities, allowed the hospital to grow while maintaining high standards of care.

Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow to lead your team?

I strongly believe in the principles of teamwork, honesty, and adherence to timelines. Building a cohesive team that shares the same values and aims to protect our system is of utmost importance. We prioritize patient care and experience by leveraging the latest technology and providing seamless access to our services. Through our online platforms, patients can register, book appointments, and receive updates easily. We also utilize artificial intelligence tools for efficient triaging and prioritizing patients based on their needs. Turnaround times have been established for each service, ensuring timely delivery of results. We send reports directly to patients' mobile phones and encourage them to use the Ankura app for convenience. Patient safety is a top priority, and we diligently ensure that safety parameters are met during their visits. Our goal is to make the patient journey as simple, smooth, and secure as possible. At Ankura Hospitals, we continuously strive to provide the best patient experience while upholding the highest standards of care.

How would you define Ankura Hospitals as a trusted and reliable healthcare partner to women and children? What is the kind of experience patients are exposed to from your state-of-art facilities?

Ankura Hospitals focuses on providing an exceptional patient experience. Apart from the mentioned features and benefits in the previous question, we prioritize creating a welcoming and comforting environment. Recognizing that parenthood is a joyful journey, we ensure that our maternity facilities exude positivity and a sense of well-being. Our infrastructure is designed to maximize natural light, incorporate soothing sounds and music, and offer spacious rooms for patients. We pay attention to the smallest details, such as availability and cleanliness, to enhance patient comfort. By leveraging the latest technology and emphasizing patient satisfaction, Ankura Hospitals stand out as a premier healthcare institution.

Providing high-quality healthcare services is not just a profession, but a commitment to the well-being of every patient. At Ankura Hospitals, we strive to create a nurturing and specialized environment for women and child health, bridging the gap in healthcare delivery. Our goal is to ensure that every patient receives personalized care, and we continuously adapt to changing market dynamics and embrace innovative technologies to enhance the patient experience.

What are the factors you look into when developing effective corporate growth strategies?

When developing effective growth strategies for Ankura Hospital, we follow a well-defined plan. We have annual, short-term, and long-term plans in place, including a five-year roadmap. Currently, our focus is on expanding in the southern and western regions of India. Over the next two to three years, our goal is to establish Ankura Hospitals as a pan India brand. Looking ahead, we have set our sights on the Asian and African markets within the next five years.

As we scale the company, we place great emphasis on careful budgeting, cost optimization, and operational efficiency. However, we ensure that these measures never compromise the quality and range of services we provide to our patients. Our growth strategies are designed to maintain the high standards of care that we are is known for.

By diligently implementing our growth plans while prioritizing patient care, we aim to solidify our position as a leading healthcare provider not only in India but also in international markets.

What’s your take on the healthcare industry, market fluctuations, and medical practices or trends?

The healthcare industry is undergoing significant changes, and it is crucial for us to stay updated with the evolving market dynamics. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way healthcare functions. Telemedicine and virtual consultations have become indispensable tools, allowing patients from remote areas or even other countries to access our services. We have embraced these technological advancements to ensure that our care reaches those in need, regardless of their location. Moreover, staying at the forefront of innovation is vital. We continually adopt the latest technologies and leverage branding tools to effectively reach our target audience. By embracing disruptive changes in treatment delivery and patient outreach, we strive to provide the best possible care and ensure that our services are accessible to all.

What is the future destination you are heading towards?

In addition to our pan India expansion plans, we recognize the importance of creating a specialized environment for women and child health. Unlike multi-specialty hospitals where patients may feel lost in a vast healthcare setting, women and children require a unique care experience. Children often visit hospitals for minor ailments or routine vaccinations, while maternity care caters to the healthy aspect of pregnancy. At Ankura Hospital, we are bridging the gap by designing an environment that is tailored to the needs of women and children. We are expanding our presence in the southern and western regions of India, aiming to establish Ankura Hospital as a PAN-India brand within the next two to three years.

Looking ahead, we have identified a need for our specialized services in Asian and African countries. Therefore, we have plans to expand our footprint in these regions over the next five years, envisioning Ankura Hospital as a pan-Asian brand. By focusing on the unique requirements of women and child health and strategically expanding our reach, we aim to provide exceptional care to patients across borders and contribute to the well-being of communities beyond India's borders.

Krishna Prasad Vunnam, Founder & Managing Director, Ankura Hospitals

Krishna Prasad exemplifies a tireless advocate for women’s and child’s health. His expertise, combined with his compassionate approach, has transformed Ankura Hospitals into a trusted institution, offering a comprehensive range of services to ensure the well-being of women and children. Through his efforts, Dr. Vunnam continues to positively impact the lives of countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on the field of healthcare in India and Asia on the whole.