Dr Bidhan Das : Strategizing Evaluations & Insights For Healthcare Excellence
Dr Bidhan Das
Founder & Managing Director
These foundational elements not only determine the level of care provided within a hospital but also influence healthcare accessibility, stan- dards, and innovation on a broader scale. Behind these critical frameworks are professionals like Dr Bidhan Das, who seamlessly blend medical expertise with strategic leadership, redefining how healthcare institutions operate and evolve on a global scale.
Dr. Bidhan is a doctor-turned-business owner leading Octavo Solutions, a distinguished healthcare consulting firm specializing in hospital syndi- cation, public health improvement accreditation, and capacity building, both domestically and internationally. As the Founder and Managing Director, he has led complex healthcare projects in colla- boration with global institutions such as UNICEF, and the World Bank, and national bodies like the Ministry of External Affairs, shaping infra- structure across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Being an AIIMS alumnus, he credits the institute for shaping his leadership and technical acumen, which have guided his contributions to hospital planning and healthcare reforms. More than his professional achie- vements, he takes pride in mentoring and driving innovation, actively investing in talent development and shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Below is a conversation with Dr Bidhan Das, where he reflects on his transition from medicine to healthcare consulting, and his role in shaping hospital standards.
Walk us through your journey from clinical practice to becoming a healthcare entrepreneur.
I graduated from S.C.B Medical College, Odisha in 1987 and post that, moved to Delhi to gain clinical experience. After a few years of practice, I joined AIIMS, in the Department of Hospital Administration, where I gained expertise in managing healthcare institutions effectively. While this experience strengthened my under standing of hospital operations, I was keen to explore the business side of healthcare.
This led me to transition to the private sector as LCP Director at Rockland Hospital Group, where I took on the challenge of improving the hospital’s business performance. At the time, the hospital primarily focused on orthopedics, but I recognized that expanding its scope was essential for longterm sustainability. Acting on this, I introduced new departments and diversified its services, which helped reposition the hospital successfully within a year and a half.
In 2005, I was nominated to the technical committee of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), where I contributed to the development of accreditation standards that eventually formed the foundation of the NABH guidelines. I also chaired the technical committee tasked with drafting standards for Primary and Community Health Centres, as well as the Clinical Establishments Act, helping define minimum requirements for healthcare facilities across India. Beyond national efforts, I have supported the development of
hospital standards internationally, including for the ACHS, UAE and 15 West African nations under ECOWAS. These guidelines have been translated into Portuguese, Spanish, and French to ensure broader accessibility and implementation.
In 2007, I ventured into entrepreneurship by founding Octavo Solutions, a healthcare consulting firm specializing in hospital accreditation. Over time, we expanded across India, working with both public and private hospitals. By 2010, we secured a significant contract from the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) for ISO certification of public hospitals, covering facilities from primary health centres to district hospitals.
As our projects grew in scale, we diversified into hospital planning and equipment consultancy. The Ministry of External Affairs entrusted us with hospital planning projects abroad, including Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) in Kabul, Afghanistan. There, we executed a comprehensive setup comprising operating rooms, ICUs, medical gas pipeline systems, and diagnostic facilities within a year. Similar projects followed in Nepal and Ethiopia, strengthening our global footprint. In Odisha, we played a key role in planning large-scale hospitals as part of World Bank-funded initiatives. From 2018 onward, we expanded internationally, working in Papua New Guinea, Ivory Coast, and various other regions.
The onset of COVID-19 in 2020 saw us managing six public hospitals in Odisha, employing over 2,000 healthcare professionals. By 2022, our firm had firmly established itself as a leading healthcare advisory company, operating in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and multiple Indian states.
Today, our firm offers a comprehensive range of services, including hospital accreditation, systems develop- ment, strategic consulting, and fundraising. We operate on a tender-based model, securing projects through transparent bidding processes without relying on conventional marketing or sales strategies.
Our expertise extends beyond healthcare management to architecture, engineering, finance, and project syndication. Despite not being an engineer, I authored national air-conditioning standards for healthcare facilities. We also support hospitals in securing international funding by leveraging relationships with institutions such as EXIM Bank.
Operating in challenging environments is our forte. We don’t hesitate to step into difficult terrains or high-risk areas, in fact, we thrive there. We readily deploy our teams, including myself, on the ground whenever required. That’s how we function. We strive continuously, not just to deliver, but to make a meaningful impact where it’s needed most.
What are the most valuable skills you gained at AIIMS?
I owe my knowledge and competency to AIIMS, where I gained a strong understanding of hospital functioning, along with strong technical knowledge, communication, and leadership skills. It also honed my oratory, writing, and presentation abilities. Most importantly, AIIMS instilled in me the confidence to face any challenge with composure. While business and mentoring skills developed over time, AIIMS laid the foundation to navigate setbacks and excel in my career.
How did your mentors at AIIMS impact your develop- ment as a healthcare leader?
Professor R.K. Sharma, my HOD at AIIMS, played an important
In 2007, I ventured into entrepreneurship by founding Octavo Solutions, a healthcare consulting firm specializing in hospital accreditation. Over time, we expanded across India, working with both public and private hospitals. By 2010, we secured a significant contract from the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) for ISO certification of public hospitals, covering facilities from primary health centres to district hospitals.
I owe my knowledge and competency to AIIMS, where I gained a strong understanding of hospi -tal functioning, along with strong technical knowledge, communi-cation, and leadership skills
As our projects grew in scale, we diversified into hospital planning and equipment consultancy. The Ministry of External Affairs entrusted us with hospital planning projects abroad, including Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) in Kabul, Afghanistan. There, we executed a comprehensive setup comprising operating rooms, ICUs, medical gas pipeline systems, and diagnostic facilities within a year. Similar projects followed in Nepal and Ethiopia, strengthening our global footprint. In Odisha, we played a key role in planning large-scale hospitals as part of World Bank-funded initiatives. From 2018 onward, we expanded internationally, working in Papua New Guinea, Ivory Coast, and various other regions.
The onset of COVID-19 in 2020 saw us managing six public hospitals in Odisha, employing over 2,000 healthcare professionals. By 2022, our firm had firmly established itself as a leading healthcare advisory company, operating in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and multiple Indian states.
Today, our firm offers a comprehensive range of services, including hospital accreditation, systems develop- ment, strategic consulting, and fundraising. We operate on a tender-based model, securing projects through transparent bidding processes without relying on conventional marketing or sales strategies.
Our expertise extends beyond healthcare management to architecture, engineering, finance, and project syndication. Despite not being an engineer, I authored national air-conditioning standards for healthcare facilities. We also support hospitals in securing international funding by leveraging relationships with institutions such as EXIM Bank.
Operating in challenging environments is our forte. We don’t hesitate to step into difficult terrains or high-risk areas, in fact, we thrive there. We readily deploy our teams, including myself, on the ground whenever required. That’s how we function. We strive continuously, not just to deliver, but to make a meaningful impact where it’s needed most.
What are the most valuable skills you gained at AIIMS?
I owe my knowledge and competency to AIIMS, where I gained a strong understanding of hospital functioning, along with strong technical knowledge, communication, and leadership skills. It also honed my oratory, writing, and presentation abilities. Most importantly, AIIMS instilled in me the confidence to face any challenge with composure. While business and mentoring skills developed over time, AIIMS laid the foundation to navigate setbacks and excel in my career.
How did your mentors at AIIMS impact your develop- ment as a healthcare leader?
Professor R.K. Sharma, my HOD at AIIMS, played an important
role in shaping my career. His indepth knowledge and abstract approach to hospital administration broadened my perspective beyond routine operations. He ensured I gained hands-on exposure across departments, from nursing to blood banks, and put me through rigorous exercises in health insurance. He also pushed me into challenging situations, from conducting workshops to leading training programs.
Looking back, what stands out as your most memorable experience at AIIMS?
We all have memories, good, bad, and some downright funny. One of my most unforgettable moments happened during a long holiday break when the institute was closed for three days. Since I was managing the hospital in the absence of the medical superintendent, I took it upon myself to help wherever I could.
A request came in for a ventilator loan for a cardiac centre, I approved it. A faculty member needed a private room for the delivery, I arranged it. One by one, I fulfilled every request, convinced I was doing an incredible job. By the end of the weekend, I had unknowingly exhausted all private rooms and even transferred ventilators from the main hospital to the cardiothoracic and neuro- sciences centre.
By the time the senior staff returned, they were utterly baffled. "How on earth did you give everything away?", they asked. What I thought was an act of efficient problem-solving turned out to be a major lesson in resource management. Looking back, it was both a hilarious and humbling experience, one that I’ll never forget!
Over the course of your journey, what key leadership qualities have you deve-loped?
As an entrepreneur, adaptability is key. We constantly switch roles, sometimes we need to be assertive to stay ahead in a competitive market, while at other times, we step into the role of a mentor, guiding our teams toward growth. In fact, mentoring has been a significant part of my role, with nearly 60 percent of my time dedicated to supporting and developing my team. Many of our team members join us fresh from institutes across the country, and we make it a point to develop their competencies over time.
We invest heavily in their growth, funding external training programs such as sponsored MBA courses or NABL certifications. Whether or not these certifications directly benefit them in the short term, they help build their credentials and confidence. For us, it's not just about the immediate outcome, if something adds value to someone’s career, the investment is worthwhile. Even if I play a small part in someone’s success story, that, to me, is a true achievement.
Leadership, mentorship, and strategic thinking shape my approach. Some situations call for outmanoeuvring competitors, while others demand guiding the team with patience. The real challenge lies in knowing which hat to wear and when.
What vision do you hold for the next phase of your professional journey?
Since the firm's inception, my core intention has been to share knowledge in ways that genuinely adds value to others. That mindset continues to drive me, whether its mentoring, guiding, or encouraging people to grow. It brings me a sense of fulfilment.
I actively engage in global competitions, not just for recognition, but for the invaluable learning they offer. These lessons extend beyond me, they shape my team, strengthening our collective expertise. Looking, ahead, our vision is to establish a strong foothold in global healthcare acquisitions, and every challenge we tackle brings us closer to that goal.
Looking back, what stands out as your most memorable experience at AIIMS?
We all have memories, good, bad, and some downright funny. One of my most unforgettable moments happened during a long holiday break when the institute was closed for three days. Since I was managing the hospital in the absence of the medical superintendent, I took it upon myself to help wherever I could.
A request came in for a ventilator loan for a cardiac centre, I approved it. A faculty member needed a private room for the delivery, I arranged it. One by one, I fulfilled every request, convinced I was doing an incredible job. By the end of the weekend, I had unknowingly exhausted all private rooms and even transferred ventilators from the main hospital to the cardiothoracic and neuro- sciences centre.
By the time the senior staff returned, they were utterly baffled. "How on earth did you give everything away?", they asked. What I thought was an act of efficient problem-solving turned out to be a major lesson in resource management. Looking back, it was both a hilarious and humbling experience, one that I’ll never forget!
Over the course of your journey, what key leadership qualities have you deve-loped?
As an entrepreneur, adaptability is key. We constantly switch roles, sometimes we need to be assertive to stay ahead in a competitive market, while at other times, we step into the role of a mentor, guiding our teams toward growth. In fact, mentoring has been a significant part of my role, with nearly 60 percent of my time dedicated to supporting and developing my team. Many of our team members join us fresh from institutes across the country, and we make it a point to develop their competencies over time.
We invest heavily in their growth, funding external training programs such as sponsored MBA courses or NABL certifications. Whether or not these certifications directly benefit them in the short term, they help build their credentials and confidence. For us, it's not just about the immediate outcome, if something adds value to someone’s career, the investment is worthwhile. Even if I play a small part in someone’s success story, that, to me, is a true achievement.
Leadership, mentorship, and strategic thinking shape my approach. Some situations call for outmanoeuvring competitors, while others demand guiding the team with patience. The real challenge lies in knowing which hat to wear and when.
What vision do you hold for the next phase of your professional journey?
Since the firm's inception, my core intention has been to share knowledge in ways that genuinely adds value to others. That mindset continues to drive me, whether its mentoring, guiding, or encouraging people to grow. It brings me a sense of fulfilment.
I actively engage in global competitions, not just for recognition, but for the invaluable learning they offer. These lessons extend beyond me, they shape my team, strengthening our collective expertise. Looking, ahead, our vision is to establish a strong foothold in global healthcare acquisitions, and every challenge we tackle brings us closer to that goal.