Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group

People define nations; they are the lifeblood of an economy and quite clearly a healthy ’Health Quotient’ can alone keep an economy surging ahead. Though this is seemingly obvious, healthcare or care for the health of India and its people has never been at the forefront.
The inception of Apollo Hospitals ignited a revolution. In pioneering corporate healthcare in India, this organization changed the rules of the game and set in motion the creation of a sector which is today touted as the fast growing, recession–proof sector of the Indian economy. Healthcare in India is predicted to be the next big boom, largely spurred by an increased corporate presence in the sector, recognition of India as a destination for medical value travel, outsourcing of global clinical trials, medical devices manufacturing and above all, an overarching cost advantage while matching and even surpassing global standards of quality and benchmarks.
India has a phenomenal Knowledge Quotient. Indian doctors are driving healthcare transformation across the developed world. A healthier infrastructure and an attitudinal shift with greater attention to healthcare will motivate these individuals to consider practicing in India, reversing the brain drain. Above all, it is important that we take cognizance of the clear link between health and economic growth as a 5-year gain in life expectancy leads to an increase of growth rate of 0.06 to 0.58% of the GDP.
The defining step would be the accordance of ‘National Priority Sector’ to Healthcare.
The primary obstacle hampering development of healthcare services has been the inadequate return on investments. According “National Priority Sector” status to healthcare will attract the capital required for development of physical infrastructure and development of educational institutions for medical, paramedical and allied academics. The status will create an attractive environment for domestic production of medical equipment, devices and consumables while also catalyzing research and development. India is poised on the door of superpowerdom. These imperatives will catalyse India’s economic development through healthcare and keep us fighting fit as a nation!