India’s healthcare future lies in building systems that are proactive in care, powered by technology, and centred around people’s needs, said Lovekesh Phasu, group chief operating officer, Sakra World Hospital.
Healthcare has largely focused on treating illness once it appears. But with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer now affecting people at younger ages and on a larger scale, that approach falls short. The focus now needs to shift earlier towards recognising risks before they develop into major health issues. Supporting people to stay healthy, rather than only intervening once illness sets in, must become the core of how we deliver care. Prevention and timely action are no longer long-term goals—they’re priorities we need to act on now, he added.
Technology has opened up new possibilities. With the use of remote health monitoring, AI-supported diagnostics, and digital health records, we are now able to assess and follow up on patients with far more speed and clarity. But these tools alone do not drive outcomes. What makes the difference is how well they are integrated into daily practice with trained professionals, defined steps for response, and the ability to move quickly when the data signals something is wrong. A smartwatch that detects a heart issue only matters if someone is ready to respond to it, Phasu told Pharmabiz in an email.
One of the most critical enablers of this future-ready healthcare system is a well-integrated public health infrastructure backed by real-time data. Early risk detection doesn’t only happen in hospitals, it must extend to communities, workplaces, and homes. For that, we need robust surveillance systems, better interoperability across platforms, and seamless data sharing between private and public providers. Take for instance the potential of integrating wearable health data with national health portals, it could help track trends, deploy resources faster, and personalise public health messaging. But for this to work, accessibility must improve, he noted.
Urban centres are advancing, but rural and underserved regions still lack reliable connectivity, diagnostic services, and specialist access. Bridging this digital and service divide is essential if we want our technology-led strategies to deliver equitable impact. Without inclusive design, the gap between high-tech innovation and on-ground reality will only widen—limiting the true potential of healthcare transformation, said Phasu.
Behind all of this is a need to building the right workforce. It is not just about having more hands on deck. We need people who are trained to handle long-term conditions, understand patient experience, and keep pace with how care is changing. That also means we have to look closely at how young professionals are trained—giving them time in real-world settings, helping them work across disciplines, and making sure they’re comfortable with the digital side of medicine too, he said.
Healthcare in India is moving forward but keeping pace means doing more than adopting new tools. It means preparing our teams, improving how we deliver care, and building systems that keep people at the centre. The real challenge isn’t change and its readiness, said Phasu.
Source : pharmabiz
