The World Health Day 2025 theme of Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures theme — focussing on ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths and prioritising women’s health — is long overdue. It’s encouraging that attention is now more inclusive.
We’re constantly working to improve care across the entire life cycle — from birth through old age — ensuring that everyone feels secure in their access to healthcare. India has done well in improving maternal and child health through prenatal, delivery, and postnatal support. These services are now being integrated into schemes like Ayushman Bharat, making care more accessible across the country.
Accelerating Progress Towards SDG 3
While India has made major strides in health and well-being, we’re still short of our 2030 SDG targets.
Healthcare remains a challenge globally, regardless of a country’s wealth. India has focused on expanding access and infrastructure — increasing hospital beds, medical and nursing college seats, and improving human capital. We have two major opportunities:
· Universal Access to High-Quality Care: Ensuring everyone in India receives top-quality care, regardless of economic status.
· Becoming a Global Healthcare Hub: We can provide world-class care at a fraction of the global cost. Indian healthcare workers are in demand globally and are recognised for their sincerity and commitment. Medical value travel is also growing. International patients are increasingly choosing India for treatment.
Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Over 50% of deaths in India are due to NCDs, and over half of those are from cardiovascular disease. It is a very serious issue.
India originally faced a heavy burden of communicable diseases, which has been reduced through sanitation, immunisation, and access to clean water. But now, NCDs like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are on the rise.
Public awareness is key. Doctors can advise and monitor, but prevention happens at the community level. At Medanta, we do free rural health check-ups as part of our CSR initiatives. Screening lakhs of people for diabetes, hypertension, heart issues, dental and eye care.
The scale of India’s population means even small percentages translate to massive numbers. Every healthcare provider must take responsibility for specific regions. For example, we’ve adopted Haryana under the TB-free programme — providing mobile vans with digital X-rays and molecular testing to screen lakhs of people. Collaboration across healthcare providers is crucial for real impact.
Tackling Mental Health
Mental health has become a global crisis. Stress is rising due to environmental pressures, climate change, pollution, job competition, and the breakdown of family structures due to mobility.
There are even studies linking heatwaves to increased heart disease. Clearly, our environment is fuelling mental stress.
We must work to reduce these stressors through better communication, education, employment, clean air and water, and accessible counselling. Many apps are available, but services must be accessible to all economic groups. Hospitals should offer mental health support for those in need.
Climate-Related Health Challenges
Medical professionals must understand and prepare for climate-related health impacts. High pollution leads to spikes in respiratory issues and affects children’s neurological development. These are long-term effects.
Environmental control at city and national levels is critical. Climate change discussions are happening, but action is lacking. Temperatures have already risen 1.5°C, which earlier than expected. This is not a future problem; we are facing the consequences now.
Public awareness and pressure on authorities can be powerful. India should act locally — reducing dust, PM2.5, PM10, noxious gases, and crop burning. These are within our control and can significantly improve health outcomes.
Reducing Healthcare’s Carbon Footprint
The healthcare sector is energy-intensive. We are adopting green certification standards.
Solar power has greatly helped. As a 24/7 operation, power outages require generators, which are polluting. With solar energy and a stable grid, diesel use at Medanta has dropped to under 10%. This reduces our carbon footprint significantly and supports sustainability.
Vision for India’s Healthcare Future
Every Indian should have access to decent healthcare. It’s a fundamental right.
Key challenges ahead:
· Managing the Rise in NCDs: Surveillance, early detection, and timely treatment are crucial. Public-private partnerships can expand screening and prevention efforts.
· Preventing Communicable Diseases: Focus on sanitation, clean drinking water, and hygiene to reduce disease burden.
· Public-Private Alignment: Better collaboration can reduce duplication of services. For example, ten CT or MRI machines on the same street are commercially driven, not strategically planned.
We also need rationalised distribution of medical resources and stricter quality control — in hospitals, medical and nursing schools, and training centres. Poorly trained professionals can pose serious risks. High standards in education and licensing are essential.
What Sets Medanta Apart
Medanta has again been ranked among the world’s best hospitals by Newsweek International, which surveys hospitals in 28 countries annually. We’ve been ranked the best private hospital in India for six years in a row. We’ve always prioritised patient care over business.
Everything we’ve built is based on three pillars:
World-Class Infrastructure: Our physical facilities are designed for maximum patient safety, the lowest infection rate, and the highest success rate in procedures.
Frontier Technology: We ensure we always have access to cutting-edge technology.
Integrity and Excellence in Personnel: Our doctors and staff match global standards. They build departments, teach others, and uphold the highest ethical standards. No one at Medanta handles money directly. Payments are collected transparently, taxes are paid, and deposits go directly to bank accounts.
From the patient’s perspective, three things matter: the best treatment, compassionate care, and affordability. These values — both from hospital and patient perspectives — have contributed to our consistent ranking. We are also the only private Indian hospital in the top 150 hospitals worldwide, which is a great honour and testament to our team’s continued excellence.
