Prem Nath addresses International Medical Convention – HIMT 2011 at AIIMS
Healthcare Infrastructure and Medical Technology – 2011
Can hospitals evoke a picture of a beautiful building with a soothing ambiance, that alleviate all woos a patient goes through…Can a hospitals actually be beautiful? This was the question put forth by Ar. Prem Nath to the medical infrastructure faculty at HIMT-2011.
Healthcare Systems world over are experiencing metamorphic changes. Healthcare Infrastructure and Medical Technology- 2011 (HIMT) from 3rd-5th Feb.2011, an international conference organized by AIIMS discussed these impending changes with ace Architects, Healthcare Planners, Engineers, Doctors, Professors, Equipment Manufacturers etc. The conference deliberated upon recent advances & future trends in healthcare infrastructure & its impact on healthcare delivery.
The three day international conference (HIMT-2011) in the capital city of India, started with its inauguration on 2nd Feb.2011 in the presence of the all the dignitaries who have contributed to the field of medicine & healthcare infrastructure.
Ar. Prem Nath who chaired the session of “Cost Effective Infra Structure and Technology for Universal Health Care”, share knowledge and experiences, which together will go a long way in evolving best practices. He explained to the enthusiastic masses, the architectural aspect of hospital planning, trends in healthcare institutes, foreseeing technology – ROBOTICS – put to medical benefit, in terms of latest gadgets, robo-doctors/surgeons/ assistants. . .
Prem Nath shed light on aesthetically planning hospital space with a special theme for each floor as per the wards so as to ease the trauma associated with hospitalization. He maintained that a healthcare building employ the latest technologies, patient-centered care and evidence-based design to assist in healing patients and improving clinical outcomes. Architectural features such as inclusion of soothing water features, the expansive gardens/ courtyards not only allow occupants to experience the tranquility of the site, but create places that build a sense of community within the setting by fostering human interaction. The integration of landscaping into stacked building layers is definitely necessary.
The different zone in the hospital to be identified by varied architectural elements. Apart from the regular wards, hospital should have a Quiet Activity Area, Family Lounge, The Parents’ Lounge- which is “kid-free” zone etc. with comfortable setting to create lounge-like banquette seating.
He also discussed the sustainable design features like use of photo-voltaics to relieve electrical loads and the reuse of gray water and storm water to reduce dependency on Municipal water. Lastly, Prem Nath insists that, a Hospital can definitely be BEAUTIFUL to the extent that even a health care design can blur the lines between hospitality and hospital….!!!
