‘What makes Aravind’s organisational culture unique?’ The research to answer this brought out several characteristics that had shaped the organisation through a path of continuous improvement, innovation while being guided by a strong sense of purpose and integrity. These “pillars” are fundamental to preserving the Aravind culture. There are four “tall” pillars: core foundations that define “The Aravind Way”. But these do not stand alone: there are three “short” ones. This only means that in the case of a conflict, it is the tall pillar that will take precedence over a short one.
Making Eye Care Accessible To All
The core of this tall pillar is providing comprehensive eye care to all regardless of ability to pay. But the pillar holds up a larger vision of searching out and then serving the patients who need the care. This pillar is in line with the WHO’s declaration of universal health as its goal.
Quality and Continuous Improvement
The core of this pillar is the quest for perfection. High quality has been a tallpillar, a defining character of the Aravind Eye Care System since its inception. Key metrics are infection rates, visual outcomes and patient satisfaction. A factor of growing importance is monitoring and continually improving, both of quality outcomes and other factors which contribute to quality. Embedded in this is the notion that Aravind continues to be a learning organisation.
Patient Centricity and Compassion
The core of this pillar is building the capacity to do what is right. The principle is that Aravind will continue to draw from outside individuals or organisations, but not become dependent and will cherish its capacity to make its own decisions. Aravind will continue to find innovative solutions to problems that come in the way of its mission of delivering care to all.
Self-Reliance / Finding A Way
The core of this pillar is building the capacity to do what is right. The principle is that Aravind will continue to draw from outside individuals or organisations, but not become dependent and will cherish its capacity to make its own decisions. Aravind will continue to find innovative solutions to problems that come in the way of its mission of delivering care to all.
Staff-Centricity
The core of this pillar is that staff matter. It rests on a belief that when staff needs are considered, they will respond most effectively to create synergy between individual’s aspirations and the organisational goals.
Frugality
The core of this pillar is don’t waste resources. Emphasize good maintenance; don’t replace what can be repaired. Use data to study cost of alternatives. Frugality mindset applies to patient treatment. No unnecessary treatments, return visits, medicines, wait times. Don’t waste patient resources as well as hospital resources.
Sharing
The core of this pillar is to help others be more effective in eliminating needless blindness. The principle is to put this mission ahead of the organisation itself.