POWERING HEALTHCARE

Healthcare has become a predominant industry and is inclusive of a gamut of sectors that take care of multiple aspects of health and wellbeing. In this edition of WOW, we talk to some health entrepreneurs about their work and what they think is the key to wellbeing.

Text: Anushka Shrestha

WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?

Aabhushan: I think as entrepreneurs we need to put our money where our mouth is. I have always been vocal about how technology has the ability to transform the health industry, how use of technology is not only to make our lives convenient but more importantly, to reduce suffering and save lives. The year 2019 was when I decided to put my thoughts into action; dedicate myself to the problems that have plagued the healthcare industry and solve them using technology.

Dr. Rishi: Actually I am not a businessman. My father and aunt were traditional healers. They encouraged me to become an Ayurvedic doctor because initially I was studying Western medicine but then I chose Ayurveda. After completing the course of 11.5 years from India, I came back to Nepal. Then I started a small clinic. I was working for the government in a hospital when my brother came back from London. We decided to start Panchakarma Ayurvedic Center as people did not really know about it. I wanted to start something on my own because I wanted to implement what we had learned in the university. Of course, it wasn’t easy in the beginning but we grew.

Arvind: When I ordained as a monk in 2018 and found so much peace within, I realised that I need to spread this wisdom to the society. Hence, I started meditation and singing bowls services studio.

Dr. Udip: My educational background correlates to this field and I expanded the scope by converting it into a business. 

Sandesh: I am deeply passionate about health and wellbeing. I have intensely studied various sciences related to fitness, sports and rehabilitation, martial arts, naturopathy, yoga and other forms of healing. At the very centre of everything we do, a healthy mind and body is essential to enjoying this journey of life. I decided very early in life that my profession would be one that impacts life in a positive and good way, and I am glad that I could create a business that fulfills this goal.

HOW IS THE HEALTH INDUSTRY BUSINESS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BUSINESSES?

Aabhushan: The health industry is a very sensitive industry where we are responsible for people’s health and lives. Ethical standards in this industry need to be extremely high. It is also a regulated industry and there will be more regulations in the future. However, I think entrepreneurs need to self- regulate and bring the highest quality standards. The margin for error in this business is very small and our dedication to our craft is extremely important. 

Dr. Rishi: Business is not a bad word but it is often taken as ‘earning money’. For me, health industry business is a service. I don’t think we should expect anything in return when we are giving treatment to sick people as we are providing service to them and that service cannot be calculated or valued in terms of money. This is why health industry business is different from other businesses.

Arvind: I think it takes more time for people to trust the business because people are now more conscious than ever when it comes to consuming health products or services. They do extensive research before trying it out. So the company needs to brand in a way that can build customer’s trust first.

Dr. Udip: Our service is directly related to the lives of our clients. The amount of trust and expectation is immense so we always have to deliver our best.

Sandesh: The basis of any business and the requirements to run a business are pretty universal, but the health sector definitely requires a high level of precision, empathy, conscience and ethics. It is perhaps the most human centric form of work where you are not just working to deliver certain standards but you are working with people’s vulnerabilities.

WHAT IS KEY TO SUCCESS IN YOUR BUSINESS?

Aabhushan: In technology, speed and innovative mind is everything. I think we need to be willing to fail and build technology to solve larger problems fast. In healthcare, dedication, quality and value for a single life is extremely important. If we understand that every minute is crucial and dedicate ourselves to saving every single life, we would be successful. Success here is measured not by our profits or turnover but the number of lives we have saved.

Dr. Rishi: The key point has to be quality. When you visit our centre one can experience a different quality. We have highly skilled doctors and the health team. Even our security guards welcome people in a loving way.

Arvind: Willingness to serve others consistently is the key here. Helping others find their inner peace and happiness is our biggest priority. We have been very active during the pandemic with free virtual meditation sessions called ‘Finding Peace’. Our success lies in creating a community filled with peace and positivity.

Dr. Udip: Persistence, keeping up to date with technology, surrounding yourself with smart people, taking action and doing the work, continuous learning and growing.

Sandesh: It’s rewarding when you have made a positive impact on someone’s life, when there is a shift in thinking and your client begins to understand their mind and body and take responsibility for their own wellbeing. It’s truly gratifying because most people do not have true understanding of what it means to be healthy.

I also work with a team that shares my vision and are equally passionate about not just the client’s development but also their own personal growth. I think we truly enjoy what we do and that is success to me.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT HEALTH IN THE WORLD TODAY?

Aabhushan: That a fancy “fad” diet is the way to a healthy life. 

Dr. Rishi: One of the biggest misconceptions is that people think we deliver health. We do not deliver health. Every individual has an inner pharmacy inside. We just provide service with our healing ability. Everyone has potential healing resources, we just awaken that. Normally, hospitals are not health institutions. Health institutions are public health services who are in people’s heart. 

Arvind: A lot of the people specially youths feel that meditation and spirituality is something that either an older generation practice or someone who has mental health issues. But meditation can be practiced regardless of one’s age, gender or religion. That is the reason why big universities such as Harvard has mindfulness courses as well as companies like Google conduct regular mindful and meditation workshops.

Udip: YouTube and Google make you a doctor instantly.

Sandesh: That the answer and solutions will come to you from someone else. You must take ownership of your body and mind. No matter your age or current fitness level, you can elevate your health, wellness and longevity.

Also no matter how much knowledge you have or are being guided with, it is the consistent and customised implementation that truly matters.

ONE HEALTH TIP YOU RECOMMEND…

Aabhushan: I think eating healthy and whole foods is extremely important. Regular exercise and maintaining a less stressful life is key. Many of our medical conditions are hereditary so getting a regular checkup can help us prevent or get treated before it’s too late. With technology like genome mapping, we would be able to analyse heredity risks even before they happen in the future.

Dr. Rishi: Do not miss to love yourself. The word ‘love’ does not look relatable in physiology but it has changed the physiology. One should awaken the self healing process in any kind of situation.

Arvind: Make the habit of meditating daily to cleanse your mind. You will be more aware which ultimately will help you to increase your focus and productivity in whatever task you perform. Also, you observe your emotions better and can be in control in difficult situations.

Dr. Udip: Invest in yourself, do regular exercise, eat healthy, get enough sleep, water and rest. 

Sandesh: The basic biology of your sleep, food, movement and mindset are the foundations of your wellbeing. When you are able to balance and enhance it, it optimises the quality of your life.

WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

Aabhushan: Seeing how our technology has impacted so many lives gives immense motivation. What’s even more important is knowing how our future technology can make healthcare easily accessible to the 30 million Nepalese at reasonable costs.

Dr. Rishi: I am an inner peace lover. These days I am delivering ideas on fighting Covid to more than 60-100 people every day. Even at this age, if I get time, I dance because it makes me happy. So I think I am happy with my work and that’s what keeps me passionate about it.

Arvind: Our mind is easily distracted and stressed. Mental defilements such as anger, greed, jealousy, hate pollute our mind. Our passion lies in helping our customers find more stillness, clarity and calmness in their life. Building healthy and happy communities is what our company envisions through meditation, singing bowl healing and wisdom sharing sessions.

Udip: Don’t settle. Don’t compromise. Just do it. The only way to do amazing work is to love what you do with all matters of the heart.

Sandesh: I have reached that point in life where my work allows me to serve people where it really matters. I strongly believe in progression and everyday there is so much to learn, discover, explore and realise and that energy drives my passion.