HEALTHCARE being ferried to the new building by ambulance , Manipal fitted the new facility out with 120 beds to ensure that it had adequate equipment for new patients during the settling-in period . In addition the organisation brought a lot of other new inventory items , to support the inevitable rise in patient numbers and enable the facility to be self-sufficient for up to a month after moving in .
“ Our inventory was up to 60 % higher than what we were used to , but as we moved in we had our major suppliers on our side who also kept an emergency line open for us , so if we needed something , they could quickly send it ,” explains Rekhi .
With incredible teamwork , Manipal Hospitals achieved its goal of a 24-hour move . Rekhi cannot praise his staff enough for helping as much as they did , and he very proudly states that not a single doctor left the business during the undoubtedly stressful change .
“ Despite the upheaval , despite the competition coming in next door , nobody has left ,” he says . “ All have been very supportive , and all we ’ ve achieved are because of the doctors and the team we had .”
Building up to the move , every month , then every week , then every third day , Rekhi and the other executives held meetings with doctors who show them the plans for the new facility , how we are planning , and what help they required from the doctors . This open forum allowed all to voice their concerns too , so there was no surprise when the time came ; they were more than happy to throw themselves into the project .
Also , it represented a once in lifetime opportunity for anyone in healthcare , when you are part of a team , to transit from working hospital to another within 24 hours .
“ Everyone worked together , everyone picked up bags and boxes ,” concludes Rekhi . “ It was the best moment when we had achieved this , everybody have put in their best effort .”
If this single venture is an example of Manipal ’ s work ethic and resilience , its ambitious plans to expand will surely prove both fruitful and successful .
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