Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General of AHPI, outlined a bold roadmap for India’s healthcare in his keynote address at the VOH National Healthcare Awards 2025, titled “The Great Healthcare Shift: Capital, Capacity and Care Expansion Across Bharat.”
Highlighting recent government developments, Dr. Gyani noted the appointment of a full-time health minister and a dedicated NITI Aayog member for healthcare ease of doing business as major positive steps. “These moves will bring focused attention and faster decision-making for the sector,” he said.
Dr. Gyani emphasized the urgent need for infrastructure expansion, pointing out that India currently has 2.2 million hospital beds but requires 4 million to meet growing demand. He also flagged disparities across states—from 0.3 beds per 1,000 population in some states to 4.2 in others—and stressed the importance of improving accessibility, particularly in rural and tier-three towns.
Healthcare workforce development was another key focus. While India has 1.3 million doctors, only 60% have postgraduate qualifications, highlighting the need to increase PG seats and establish fast-track medical institutions.
The government is also pushing for indigenization of medical devices and diagnostics, aiming to reduce imports and boost exports, similar to efforts in the defense sector. Digital health is being fast-tracked through the National Digital Health Mission, leveraging ISRO for comprehensive digitization of healthcare establishments and services.
On universal health coverage, Dr. Gyani said, “Integration of the private sector is critical, as 86% of healthcare delivery happens in private facilities. Insurance models and co-payment schemes are being explored to ensure coverage under Ayushman Bharat.”
Tier-three towns are set to benefit from the construction of 3,000 new hospitals with 100+ beds, supported by incentives such as single-window clearance, low-interest loans, and electricity subsidies.
Dr. Gyani concluded by underscoring the strategic importance of healthcare: “India cannot truly be a developed nation unless it is developed in healthcare. With these initiatives, we are moving in a very positive direction.”
The address highlighted India’s growing focus on capital infusion, capacity building, and care expansion, signaling a transformative era in the nation’s healthcare landscape.