INTRODUCTION

Health care is the world’s largest industry. As such, India has to be prepared to meet the health care challenges of the new millennium.Many modern disciplines have a long history but a short past. Health care management is one such discipline. Decades ago, the total body of literature on hospital administration was managed by a single doctor. Today, it is well recognised that the system requires a multi-pronged approach and total professionalisation to achieve quality and cost-effectiveness.

A quiet revolution is taking place in hospital administration in India. Private sector participation in health care is on the increase because entrepreneurs and technocrats see immense opportunity for earning in this sector. There is enough evidence to show that there is a willingness to pay for the services out of one’s own savings or through organisational perquisites. It is no more the era of charity, either by a social organisation, or the government. This has earning potential, and there is a felt need to maximise the use of resources to build surplus to support the needy. The changing scenario of increasing demand, a variety of means to support the rendering of quality health care, and an entrepreneurial spirit, have given a boom to the health care industry in India.