A counter-intuitive story of purpose and profit

GLOBAL intractable issues like poverty, climate change and hunger seem to be the domain of charitable institutions and NGOs. Given the headlines, the forces of profit and purpose seem most fiercely opposed when it comes to the provision of healthcare.

With the cost of healthcare almost spiralling out of control in most economies and governments struggling to keep up with the pace of funding required, patients are increasingly being squeezed out by the cost of healthcare - how can these forces come together for social change?

These issues are even more pronounced in the emerging economies of Asia, where the realties are even more glaring. Yet, counter intuitively, the crossroads of profit and purpose have come together as a path towards meaningful, sustainable impact. Innovative business models that are being developed in Asian healthcare might yet be a panacea to the health issues faced in the West.