Canadian's philanthropist provides healthcare

BANGALORE: Just a week ago, a woman did some loud thinking on the appalling healthcare service at the Tibetan settlement in Bylakuppe near Mysore. Hours later, a team of experts from Bangalore rushed to the spot to ensure a good follow-up. The quick response came as a definite luxury for the not-so-privileged.
Canadian national Maureen Berlin’s association with heart surgeon Dr Devi Shetty and her service to healthcare in India for about nine years has been focusing on just that — make adequate healthcare accessible to those in need.
After a three-year gap, Maureen, known for her extensive charitable services and incredible network of healthcare professionals, is back in the city with bigger plans to boot.
Among the infinite number of unsung heroes rescuing needy patients in the city, Maureen’s mite stands apart as she takes over as executive vice-president, Columbia Asia, a US-based healthcare provider. She will be instrumental in setting up Bangalore as the hub of India operations for Columbia Asia.
Three new multi-speciality medical centres will be opened in the city in the next two years, catering to primary and secondary healthcare service here.
The first two hospitals — one near Hebbal and the other in Bangalore south — will be set up by 2005, while the third hospital will be ready by 2006, Maureen explains.
"These hospitals will be based on the prototype hospital design as developed in the US and Malaysia. As community hospitals, services will be provided at affordable costs," she adds. Seventy-five in-patient beds, four operating rooms, 16 full-time specialists covering 12 different departments are part of their immediate plans.
Having worked with projects on unwed mothers in Malaysia, coordinated healthcare access to children in Bangladesh suffering from cardiac diseases and other related projects in Canada and South Africa for several years, Maureen has rich experience.
In her observation, "There is no doubt that healthcare professionals in the city have a human touch to their world class expertise, but there is need to provide quicker accessibility to medical services and make hospital management more patient-friendly."
Says Maureen, "Things are bound to change and the city will soon see a boom in the health sector. I am glad I will be part of it."