The 4th Edition of the National Diagnostics Forum 2026, organised by Voice of Healthcare (VoH), concluded on a high note today at the Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, bringing together India’s leading voices from diagnostics, healthcare, policy, technology, and investment to chart the next phase of growth for the sector.
The day-long forum witnessed discussions on critical themes, including precision diagnostics, artificial intelligence adoption, public-private partnerships, and the business dynamics driving consolidation in the sector.
The forum opened with keynote addresses from Dr. Nishchal Naveen, Founder - Voice of Healthcare, and Co-founder (Cygnus Hospitals and Meddo - Doxper), Dr. Suchita Markan, Scientist F & Head, Innovation & Translation Research Division (ITR), Mission-In-Charge, Medical Device and Diagnostics Mission Secretariat (MDMS), ICMR and Mr. Sanjay Jha, Founder, Apaan Medtech, Co-founder Collateral Medical, Former Board Member, HealthCube.
Industry leaders emphasised that diagnostics is rapidly evolving from a backend service to a central pillar of preventive and precision healthcare.
In his opening remarks for the 4th Edition of the National Diagnostics Forum & Awards 2026, Dr. Nishchal Naveen, Founder - Voice of Healthcare, and Co-founder (Cygnus Hospitals and Meddo - Doxper) said, “The diagnostics industry has evolved from being a supporting branch to becoming a key driver of healthcare innovation. COVID-19 accelerated this transformation, and today, hospitals and entrepreneurs are expanding the reach of diagnostic services like never before. Tonight, we celebrate the unsung heroes—pathologists, biochemists, microbiologists, technologists, and innovators—whose tireless work behind the scenes ensures accurate detection, monitoring, and management of diseases. Their contributions are shaping the future of healthcare, and it’s time they receive the recognition they truly deserve.”
The diagnostics industry has evolved from being a supporting branch to becoming a key driver of healthcare innovation. COVID-19 accelerated this transformation, and today, hospitals and entrepreneurs are expanding the reach of diagnostic services like never before. Tonight, we celebrate the unsung heroes—pathologists, biochemists, microbiologists, technologists, and innovators—whose tireless work behind the scenes ensures accurate detection, monitoring, and management of diseases. Their contributions are shaping the future of healthcare, and it’s time they receive the recognition they truly deserve."
Dr. Somnath Chatterjee, Chairman and Joint MD, Suraksha Diagnostics, said, “The future of diagnostics is moving rapidly toward early cancer detection and truly personalized treatment. Today, advances in sequencing and AI are making it possible to detect cancer at stage 1—or even late stage 0—before symptoms appear. This opens the door to interventions that could completely prevent the disease from progressing.
The vision is that, very soon, everyone could use simple tools—like a smartphone connected to advanced diagnostic platforms—to feed in their health data and receive personalized treatment recommendations. These insights will combine genetics, lifestyle, and clinical history to guide care that is unique to each individual.
With emerging technologies, including quantum computing and massive databases capable of processing trillions of data points per second, this kind of personalized medicine will become faster, cheaper, and widely accessible. The goal is to shift healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive, precision prevention, making early detection and personalized care a standard part of life.”
Ms. Ameera Shah, Promoter and Executive Chairperson, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd emphaised, “India is often seen as a price-sensitive market, but the reality is that people choose quality when it matters most. In healthcare, for minor ailments, cost may guide decisions, but for serious conditions—like cancer, stroke, or neurological damage—trust, expertise, and quality become critical. Accreditation sets the minimum standard, but real value comes from decades of experience, rigorous processes, and skilled professionals interpreting results. Technology and AI will support diagnostics, improving accessibility and convenience, but they will never replace human judgment. True success comes from focusing on quality, making courageous decisions, balancing vision with execution, and building systems that deliver both trust and sustainable growth.”
Devendrasingh Rajput, CBO - Pharma & Pathlabs, Indira IVF Group, stated, “ What sets our IVF program apart is our strong focus on patient outcomes. In India, around 53 million people need IVF, yet access remains limited. Our goal is to democratize care while ensuring the highest fidelity in screening and treatment. We place a strong emphasis on genetic and genomic testing—like PGD and PGT—which helps us prevent hereditary disorders and guide patients toward the most suitable interventions. Using these insights, we can select the right embryos and optimize treatment protocols.
AI and diagnostic data further enhance our ability to predict outcomes, tailor treatment doses, and improve success rates. This patient-focused approach not only increases effectiveness but also ensures higher satisfaction for those we serve.”
Dr Sandeep Sewlikar, Head - Medical and Scientific Affairs, Regulatory Affairs and Quality , Roche stated, "We work closely with pathology experts to ensure that advancements in technology, standard operating procedures, and digital tools for data management and analytics are fully aligned with NABL guidelines. Every new machine we install undergoes rigorous validation testing to set processes correctly and maintain compliance, reinforcing our commitment to quality and precision in diagnostics."
Dr. Anirudh Kohli, CEO and Head of Department – Radiology and Imaging, Breach Candy Hospital, emphasised, "AI is not a luxury; it’s an evolutionary trend in healthcare. Over the past decade, we’ve seen technology progress from radiology information systems for scheduling and reporting, to dictation software, and now to advanced automation on diagnostic equipment—measuring fractures, labeling scans, and performing value assessments. AI has become an integral part of our daily workflow, augmenting intelligence rather than replacing doctors. While automation may reduce low-level tasks, it enhances efficiency, improves processes, and supports growth in both volume and quality of care. AI is here to stay, and its impact on healthcare is both practical and transformative."
Jay Parekh, Group Senior Vice President Customer Experience and Business Head, West and North, Neuberg Diagnostics, said, "Our vision is to build the fastest-growing integrated diagnostic network in India and globally. By bringing together organizations with strong expertise and best practices—ranging from genomics to radiology and pathology—we aim to create a one-stop solution for patients. Sharing these best practices across tier-two and tier-three cities allows us to enhance service quality and expertise consistently. With a focus on timely, accurate reports and an exceptional patient experience, supported by senior-led technical teams and robust quality systems, we are committed to sustainable growth both horizontally and vertically across the healthcare ecosystem."
“The diagnostics industry has evolved from being a supporting branch to becoming a key driver of healthcare innovation. COVID-19 accelerated this transformation, and today, hospitals and entrepreneurs are expanding the reach of diagnostic services like never before. Tonight, we celebrate the unsung heroes—pathologists, biochemists, microbiologists, technologists, and innovators—whose tireless work behind the scenes ensures accurate detection, monitoring, and management of diseases. Their contributions are shaping the future of healthcare, and it’s time they receive the recognition they truly deserve.”
The diagnostics industry has evolved from being a supporting branch to becoming a key driver of healthcare innovation. COVID-19 accelerated this transformation, and today, hospitals and entrepreneurs are expanding the reach of diagnostic services like never before. Tonight, we celebrate the unsung heroes—pathologists, biochemists, microbiologists, technologists, and innovators—whose tireless work behind the scenes ensures accurate detection, monitoring, and management of diseases. Their contributions are shaping the future of healthcare, and it’s time they receive the recognition they truly deserve."
As the National Diagnostics Forum 2026 concluded in Mumbai, it reinforced a shared commitment among industry leaders and policymakers to collaborate in building a resilient, future-ready diagnostics ecosystem—one that expands access beyond metros, strengthens public–private partnerships, and positions India as a global leader in high-quality, affordable diagnostic care.
