'We want patients to get int'l-standard care in Bangladesh'

Launched with the vision of providing world-class healthcare in Bangladesh, Unico Hospitals has completed its first year of operations. In a recent interview with The Business Standard's Tawsia Tajmim, Chief Executive Officer Ardra Kurien discussed the hospital's first-year journey, achievements, initiatives to make healthcare more affordable, commitment to patient safety and future expansion plans.

How would you describe the journey so far?

Unico Hospitals was founded by Bangladeshi professionals with the vision of providing world-class healthcare at home, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad. 

Although we have a technical collaboration with Rajagiri Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, the hospital is wholly Bangladeshi in its vision, ownership and investment, backed by individual physicians and entrepreneurs rather than a conglomerate.

In our first year, we have treated more than 10,000 patients. Our doctors are Bangladeshi, many with experience at leading institutions, including the NHS in the UK, National University Hospital Singapore and Johns Hopkins-affiliated hospitals.

Our goal is to build a multidisciplinary tertiary care hospital that combines advanced treatment with preventive care, patient education and transparent decision-making. For critically ill patients, multidisciplinary medical boards review cases and explain treatment options and likely outcomes to families, enabling them to take part in care decisions.

What have been Unico's most significant clinical achievements and service innovations?

We have introduced several advanced services ahead of schedule. One of the most significant is minimally invasive cardiac surgery, which allows complex heart operations through small incisions instead of opening the chest.

In radiology, we introduced specialised MRI and CT procedures available at only a handful of hospitals in Bangladesh. We also launched comprehensive programmes for senior citizens and expectant mothers within our first year.

What makes Unico's maternity care services different?

We encourage normal vaginal delivery whenever medically possible, as Caesarean sections should be performed only when clinically necessary.

Our antenatal programme supports mothers from the first trimester through delivery with a multidisciplinary team of obstetricians, neonatologists, anaesthetists, physiotherapists and dietitians. It also includes exercise classes and educational sessions.

One of our most innovative initiatives is the introduction of birthing suites, where the entire labour and delivery process takes place in the same private room. The bed converts into a labour bed, and one family member can remain with the mother throughout, creating a more comfortable, family-centred experience.

Nearly half of our deliveries are normal births. Among our early successes was a vaginal birth after two previous Caesarean sections.

How does Unico seek to balance affordability with the delivery of high-quality care?

Every Tuesday and Friday, we offer a 50% discount on laboratory and radiology services to all patients, helping many lower-income families reduce healthcare costs.

Our Senior Citizen Care programme provides substantial discounts on consultations, diagnostic tests and inpatient services for people aged 60 and above.

Through our Bridge Fund, financially vulnerable patients pay what they can, while the remaining treatment cost is covered by donations from our directors, doctors, and well-wishers.

We have also partnered with Child Heart Trust Bangladesh to provide heavily subsidised cardiac procedures for underprivileged children with congenital heart disease.

What has been the biggest challenge so far?

Building a culture of service has been the challenge. While technology and infrastructure can be developed with investment, fostering a genuine service mindset takes time. Everyone, from security staff to consultants, must deliver care with empathy and respect.

To achieve this, we invest heavily in continuous training, with weekly sessions for doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff.

Another challenge has been implementing international infection prevention standards. We introduced strict visitor policies to reduce hospital-acquired infections. Some initially questioned these measures, but patients now understand they are intended to protect them.

What are your expansion plans?

We currently operate around 120 beds and plan to expand to 250. Oncology services will be launched soon, while interventional radiology and interventional neurology will be expanded with procedures not widely available in Bangladesh.

We also plan to establish outreach clinics, organise nationwide training workshops for nurses, radiology technologists and physicians, and host international training programmes with experts from the United States and Thailand.

Our goal is to combine clinical excellence, patient safety, compassion and affordability so patients can receive internationally comparable care without leaving Bangladesh.