Disease Management Association of India (DMAI - The Population Health Improvement Alliance) is formed by Executives from the Global Healthcare industry to bring all the stake holders of healthcare on one platform. DMAI has been successful in establishing an intellectual pool of top healthcare executives to become an enabler in building a robust healthcare system in India. India is on the verge of building its healthcare system, and it has a long way to go. DMAI is building the knowledge pool to contribute & convert ‘Ideas’ into ‘Reality’ for healthcare in India. DMAI is the only not-for-profit organization focussed on population health improvement in India.
There was a lot of encouragement and support from Tracey Moorhead, the Charismatic Chief Executive Officer of DMAA- the Care Continuum Alliance & Cain Farmer, Finance Controller, DMAA- the Care Continuum Alliance, to help conceptualize the DMAI. DMAI was ideated in mid 2008, and the formal process of the government registration started. The entire formalities for the incorporation of DMAI were over by June 2009.
According to the founding board, DMAI is formed to promote & increase the awareness, education and practice of preventive & chronic disease management by all the stake holders in the continuum of care.
‘Preventive Care’ and ‘chronic disease management’ have to become an integral part of the Indian healthcare system. DMAI is currently focussed on the following initiatives and thanks its partners for supporting the programs initiated by DMAI.
- Health Risk Assessment Index (HRAI).
HRAI is the most ambitious and important project in India. India still does not have an epidemiological survey. At DMAI, we wish to identify the actual disease burden in India. We have already concluded the pilot HRAI in 2009, where we surveyed 2048 people across various profiles. Currently, DMAI is working with its partner organization to increase the HRAI to 10,000 populations across major towns this year .At this point in time, we are looking for sponsors for the same to expand the scope and numbers and make it an annual state-wise activity. This survey will be a very useful tool in the hands of policy makers and industry, alike.
- Central Disease Registry (CDR):
DMAI is working on creating a Central Disease Registry for Chronic patients across India.
- Disease Surveillance & Alerting Project (DSAP).
India has a huge population (Approximately 1.2 Billion). In addition to the huge population is the twin challenge of illiteracy of this wide spread of population in remote areas . One major opportunity that has come is the Mobile Phone Density (MPD) in India. Entire country is covered by the cell phone network with almost all the doctors using a cell phone. The technology can become a boon for alerting the doctors in every area for a sudden outbreak of a disease.
- Chronic Care Certification programmes (CCP):
India still follows the acute care model, but chronic diseases cannot be treated by prescriptions alone. Chronic disease patients need a behavioural change. To address this gap in medical practice, DMAI has tied up with Health Sciences Institute, Chicago, USA to bring the globally acclaimed CCP to Indian doctors, nurses & pharmacists. This is the first time that such a certification is available in the region. It is very important and useful for Doctors, Nurses and pharmacists treating chronic patients. Pharmaceutical companies and healthcare organizations can provide CCP to its members to give them edge in treating patients suffering from chronic diseases.
- Healthcare reforms in India:
DMAI has also pitched in for major reforms in healthcare which has received overwhelming response from the Policy makers and the industry alike. DMAI will continue to address the ‘need gaps’ in policy making through its recommendations from time to time.
- Empowering consumers with Information about medicines on Mobile phones:
DMAI has entered into a MOU with Capitol Business Solutions to provide information to Indians via cell phones. Currently, DMAI is working with cellular companies and handset manufacturers to provide the basic information like drug-drug interactions, substitutes, generics, most commonly occurring side effects, indications for which medicines is used for. In future , DMAI will expand the scope to lead its fight against spurious medicines.
