What do you think of this year’s World Health Day theme of Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, which focuses on ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths and prioritising women’s health?
It’s encouraging to see a long-overdue focus on inclusivity in healthcare. While it has taken time, we are making progress in improving care from childbirth to old age, ensuring that everyone feels equally secure in their access to health services. India has made significant strides in promoting maternal and child health — from the prenatal phase, through delivery, and into the postnatal stage.
More than 50% of deaths in India are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with over half of those from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). What message would you like to share with the public?
Unfortunately, like many parts of the world, India is seeing a rise in non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and others.
With our large population, even small percentages represent huge numbers. This is a serious concern. The key lies in public education. Unlike other health challenges, the battle against NCDs is won or lost by the public. Doctors can only advise and monitor. Lasting change comes from awareness, lifestyle choices, and prevention.
What is your vision for India’s healthcare sector over the next decade?
The most important goal for everyone in the healthcare sector should be ensuring that every Indian citizen has access to decent healthcare. It’s a fundamental right.
The challenges ahead include the growing burden of NCDs. If incidence rates continue to rise, it will place an enormous strain on our healthcare system. We must build the capacity to manage and control these diseases.
At the same time, improving sanitation, access to clean drinking water, and reducing the prevalence of communicable diseases are equally important. If we address both fronts effectively, India can look forward to a much healthier future.
Medanta has been ranked once again among the world’s best hospitals by the Newsweek. What is it that differentiates you from other private sector hospitals in the country?
Newsweek International, which conducts a survey of hospitals in 28 countries every year, has ranked us as the best private hospital in India for six consecutive years. This is quite an achievement. But it doesn’t surprise us because we’ve always stayed committed to our core principle: patient care over business. So, it’s a compliment and an honour. More importantly, it’s a testament to our team’s consistent dedication to delivering high-quality care and serving humanity at an affordable cost.
